Need cam info.

I need some info on a cam. I am building a chevy 350/turbo 400 combo, I was wondering what is the biggest cam I can put in my 350 with stock heads. I want a lopy idle.

21-3/4" long is about as big as you can go.

If you were asking about net lift, most stock heads with stock springs and retainers start to have problems at somewhere around 0.460", and almost all will experience coil bind or seal compression at 0.480". Some older stock head castings with exhaust valve rotators would get into guide interference as low as 0.450" or slightly less. Later heads are less prone to that, beginning around the mid-1980s.

In any event, it's fairly easy to cut the guides on stock heads and use aftermarket springs and retainers to allow a lot more lift, but that also usually requires installing screwed rocker studs so that they don't become self-extracting.

can you tell me a brand, and the lift and duration of a cam I can use.

Another thing Blue Bowtie DIDN'T mention, is that you should cam for performance, not "sound". While it's your money and you can do with it as you please, certain levels of "sense" must prevail.

He's absolutely correct about coil bind and seal interference. You simply can't use a "big" cam with stock heads, unless specific changes are made.

Comp's XE262H is a GREAT grind for stock engines. It won't give you that "choppy" lope you're looking for, but t will have a nice "gurgle" to it (with a good exhaust system, that is), and it will blow the DOORS off another car just like yours with that "choppy idle" cam in a stock engine.

We get the request often for a "...good sounding engine. I don't really care how strong it runs..." We have yet how to figure out how to build a good-sounding engine that doesn't run hard... Use the parts for what they're intended. Your engine and car will like you for it!

Jim

Correct as usual, my Maxwedge pictured race car, sounded fairly tame at idle ( 1k), but was a 10.90 car in NHRA stock legal trim @ 3,500#, ( in the day).

If you want a choppy idle, use the KaleCo Hot Cam Sound Kit (consisting of two spark plug wires with no insulation). It's right in line with the KaleCo Budget Lowering Kit (consisting of four nails in a ziploc bag).

http://www.kalecoauto.com/

The cam I'm looking for is a just for now cam, I don't have the motor in my truck yet and I want to put a more then stock motor in it. I guess you got me wrong, I don't want just a lopy idle I want the best cam I can get with the stock heads, headers, 750 carb, and a high rise intake. I know I need heads, and I'll be saving up for them soon.