HUGE cam question

[JustNOSit]

Ok guys this is my first post so try not to flame too bad:

I have been in contact with wiseco and compcams and a few other dealers as well as playing around with lots of ideas about cam size, and I was wondering if this cam setup coud work?


lifts .51/.51
duration 230/235
lobe center: 112
intake centerline: 107
valve overlap: 48.5
cam specs @ .050 lift

Wiseco told me that I can any valve gap that I want in the piston if the price is right, so will this cam fit? Will piston and/or valve cover clearance be a problem?

I have a 1996 3.8l firebird.

P.S. I know that this cam is HUGE, but this is not a joke and I am not an ameteur so please respond if you know something about the clearance issue.

[ April 02, 2002: Message edited by: JustNOSit ]</p>

[DominusEtDeusNatus]

Lift looks ok with stock ratio rockers. That duration will put your power band at around 6000-7500. So you'll probably need to raise that rev limiter.

[Dominic]

I definetly wouldnot suggest so much duration, and that much lift will require new valve springs for sure to prevent valve float. Your lobe center angle is about as small as you want to go, it'll have a nice lobe.

[Magnus]

If that is a COMP cam with XE lobes I see the power band being 6500+ like Dom said.

We don't have many cubes, so huge cams won't work in our cars like they will in a V8.

If you do infact do a cam like this, you will need a VERY large stall, and LOTS of gear. You'll need magical springs and probably a new rotating assembly to hold 7K RPM's. ;)

I'd tone down the duration a lot.

Wait a little for bluecmaro96's 220/224 cam to be put in.. he's using the COMP XE lobes.

[JustNOSit]

Thanks for the help. I know I will need new springs, but will a cam this big require me to change anything with the piston, so there is no conflict?

Also, what is the ideal RPM at which to be hitting peak horsepower, so that I stay within the rev limiter and use the full powerband...
I was thinking around 5000-5500 RPM?

Thanks again for the help.

[Patrick Javert]

My personal specs on a cam is to have as much lobe separation as i can for a broad powerband, between 4.5-4.9 lift, slightly longer duration than stock, maybe 4-7 degrees more, and as little overlap os possible. If your car has low-restriction exhaust and free flowing intake(sc, whisper lid, cold/ram air, ect.), then less overlap is better for power, otherwise, the intake charge goes straight through the intake valve and ou the exhaust without ever being burned. This hurts power as well as getting you even worse mileage that you would be getting. 2 cam w/ the same specs except one has more overlap and less lobe separation andthe other has less overlap and more separation, the 2nd will put out more power and be more gas mileage friendly as well as smog friendlier.