chevy tech?

Question

Hi my name is Brian a friend has a new cam he would like to give me
it is 234/243 degree also a .488/.488 lift intake / exh. it seems like it would be a flat cam / with no lope but able to dump more fuel in and get rid of the exh. (if you have anything to include if it has a lope and approx timming and if would be a street / performance cam (small block

thank you

typeo it is 234/234 not! 234/243 also it is a .50"

Answer 1

Brian, I'd suggest getting more information on your friend's camshaft before you decide to buy it. Specifically the duration numbers. Most manufactures today list duration @ .050" lift. You'd be getting more accuracy by getting the cams duration from the manufacturer. If you listed duration is figured @.050" lift using GM hydraulic roller lifters this much duration would be too excessive for the street. You'd have poor vacuum in your intake manifold at idle. This would have severe consequences in your power brake system you need at least 9 inches of mercury to keep it functioning properly. If your using a Holley carburetor it would need 6. - 6.5 power valves in the primary and secondary metering plates. You would need to find a vacuum diaphragm for your distributor that would stay full on at 6 -7 inches of mercury. I have a GM Performance Catalog part # 19157556 ani it lists 9 hydraulic roller camshafts, 6 hydraulic flat tappet cams and 3 mechanical flat tappet camshafts. Comparing your numbers this cam will have mid to high rpm power. If I were you call Crower or Comp cams and tell them the transmission you'll be using, weight of the car and the stall speed of the torque converter. If they match you with something take their advice. As for actual lift your numbers are perfect for a street driven 350 motor.

Answer 2

if that is advertised duration, the cam is a dog.... but like the other comment on your question, if it's at .050 lift, it's fairly healthy, no monster, but a good mid range. Timing is up in the air, it all depends on your intake, carb, distributor, etc, start around 28 degrees total timing, and go from there. if it doesn't rev up like you'd like, give her some timing, but if she pings under a load, back her off. If you want a cam that really makes the car holler, go for the high 200's or a 302 advertised duration with a 106 or 108 lobe centerline. Now you will have absolutely no bottom end power, but when she gets over three grand, HANG ON!!! If you have an automatic trans, you'll need a torque converter with a much higher stall speed, but if you have a stick shift, you'll be okay. good luck

Answer 3

It is the duration that will give you the lope. If the 234/243 is the at50 duration, its pretty radical. That cam would be a power builder in the 2500-6500 range, so you'll want to match your torque converter, intake, heads, and exhaust to those rpms. Good luck.