Think i have found a new cam at last......but

[Waynio]

Hi all. this has been mashing my brain as there are so many to choose from.
My engine is a 5.7 litres. GM Goodwrench crate engine. Original cam was a GM part number 3896962. Chevrolet Performance Hydraulic Flat Tappet Camshafts 3896962 Hydraulic flat tappet Duration @ .050" Lift( Deg): Intake: 222 / Exhaust: 222 Maximum Lift (in) W/ 1.5 Rocker: Intake: .450 / Exhaust: .460 Lobe Centerline ( deg): 114

The cam ok to reuse. just needs lifters.

All that cam info does not mean much to me yet therefore the reason i want to ask for help here please.
So while i am it i need atleast a new set of lifters as said but while i am it i am happy to get a better cam for it like this one below i have found, if it is better. If not i will just get a new set of lifters.

COMP Cams CL32-221-3 COMP Cams High Energy Cam and Lifter Kits | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - COMP Cams High Energy Cam and Lifter Kits with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Camshaft Kits at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

Keep the cam i have or get the new one ?

OR get another ?

Cheers
Waynio

 

[Pinhead]

Personally, I wouldn't reuse a hydrolic flat tappet cam
But many people have
If I am reading the specs correctly on that comp cams link, it's slightly smaller than the one you have
There's not much in it, though, maybe 5-10hp the diference would be hardly noticeable

 

[Waynio]

Personally, I wouldn't reuse a hydrolic flat tappet cam
But many people have
If I am reading the specs correctly on that comp cams link, it's slightly smaller than the one you have
There's not much in it, though, maybe 5-10hp the diference would be hardly noticeable

I would resue the cam as i have been told by all, but yourself. that it is fine, not all saying i disagree with you as i have not a great deal of a clue on this, just what others have said. , It is in good order. there was nothing wrong with the engine and all good. No point in getting a new came same as what i have if i am ok to reuse it. You have me thinking more now i can resue it if i go that way.

 

[Pinhead]

Highly likely it will be fine
I used a second hand cam in my ls1 build but that was a roller cam
It's just the bedding in process with a flat tappet cam and doing it twice may start accelerated wear

 

[Waynio]

Highly likely it will be fine
I used a second hand cam in my ls1 build but that was a roller cam
It's just the bedding in process with a flat tappet cam and doing it twice may start accelerated wear

good point.

have you an idea of a better cam kit to go for, i am looking on Summit racing as it seems the best.

 

[Pinhead]

Without knowing the rest of the specs of your engine the rear gear and torque converter spec and your goals it's hard to make a call
What I would suggest is getting close to the spec that you have now as that obviously worked and in that regard the comp cam you listed is pretty close and should be as safe a bet as any

 

[teamzr1]

Hi all. this has been mashing my brain as there are so many to choose from.
My engine is a 5.7 litres. GM Goodwrench crate engine. Original cam was a GM part number 3896962. Chevrolet Performance Hydraulic Flat Tappet Camshafts 3896962 Hydraulic flat tappet Duration @ .050" Lift( Deg): Intake: 222 / Exhaust: 222 Maximum Lift (in) W/ 1.5 Rocker: Intake: .450 / Exhaust: .460 Lobe Centerline ( deg): 114

The cam ok to reuse. just needs lifters.

All that cam info does not mean much to me yet therefore the reason i want to ask for help here please.
So while i am it i need atleast a new set of lifters as said but while i am it i am happy to get a better cam for it like this one below i have found, if it is better. If not i will just get a new set of lifters.

COMP Cams CL32-221-3 COMP Cams High Energy Cam and Lifter Kits | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - COMP Cams High Energy Cam and Lifter Kits with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Camshaft Kits at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

Keep the cam i have or get the new one ?

OR get another ?

Cheers
Waynio

I am missing something as it states this CAM and lifter kit is for Ford engines ?

 

[Waynio]

This a 268H cam, ?

I am missing something as it states this CAM and lifter kit is for Ford engines ?

nope your not. good spot, see my head is mashed with all this. nobody is helping much with what to get and why. i put the engine choice n the setting and that set came up, i just looked at the specs etc. thanks for that. glad somebody is on the ball

 

[Waynio]

I give up, ill just get new lifters for now adn see how it goes. As Pinhead says the cam worked before so ill give it a go. just want it on t he road. Had it a week and done nothing but clean it twice haha

 

[teamzr1]

Hi all. this has been mashing my brain as there are so many to choose from.
My engine is a 5.7 litres. GM Goodwrench crate engine. Original cam was a GM part number 3896962. Chevrolet Performance Hydraulic Flat Tappet Camshafts 3896962 Hydraulic flat tappet Duration @ .050" Lift( Deg): Intake: 222 / Exhaust: 222 Maximum Lift (in) W/ 1.5 Rocker: Intake: .450 / Exhaust: .460 Lobe Centerline ( deg): 114

The cam ok to reuse. just needs lifters.

All that cam info does not mean much to me yet therefore the reason i want to ask for help here please.
So while i am it i need atleast a new set of lifters as said but while i am it i am happy to get a better cam for it like this one below i have found, if it is better. If not i will just get a new set of lifters.

COMP Cams CL32-221-3 COMP Cams High Energy Cam and Lifter Kits | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - COMP Cams High Energy Cam and Lifter Kits with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Camshaft Kits at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

Keep the cam i have or get the new one ?

OR get another ?

Cheers
Waynio

Guess we need to know what your intent is with the car
Just cruising, on street but love to get on it or some grassroots racing

What the engine design was as to engine compression as different if it only has 9.5:1 or 11 makes a difference in Cam grind
also if intent later to add boost like super or turbo charged

You could keep the existing Cam if your sure lobes are not flat spotted in any way and go with roller rockers, but higher ratio would add
some performance gains
Also, could port the heads, even put larger valves in would work well with headers

I assume if the engine is old and lots of miles on it and how it was driven now is the time while the engine is out to do a total refresh
and do the CAM and valve train changes now is easier now than when engine is back in frame

 

[Pinhead]

I am missing something as it states this CAM and lifter kit is for Ford engines ?

Oops I missed that
I just looked at the lobe specs as a comparison to the spec I could find for the part no. Of the cam that you have now

 

[teamzr1]

Here is a Comp Cam kit, CAM, lifters, etc, part numbers shown below
This boost engine HP up to about 400
Power comes on between 3,000 to 6,000 RPMs
This one left stock carb and intake but with headers and with an auto tranny with a torque converter stall at 3,000 RPMs

 

[Roscobbc]

I would have thought that cam you suggested Jon is way over the top for Wainio's crate engine......unless changing heads, torque converter etc. The presumingly original crate engine cam spec's he showed us could be improved a little perhaps without too much detriment to driveability and no other changes.....I'd be more interested in why engine was pulled apart in the first place than replacing parts if the rest of the engine is knackered

 

[Waynio]

I would have thought that cam you suggested Jon is way over the top for Wainio's crate engine......unless changing heads, torque converter etc. The presumingly original crate engine cam spec's he showed us could be improved a little perhaps without too much detriment to driveability and no other changes.....I'd be more interested in why engine was pulled apart in the first place than replacing parts if the rest of the engine is knackered

Only reason it was pulled apart was the previous owner was in the process of upgrading the engine with new top end to get more performance. He fell ill and then wife did and life got int the way.

Here is a Comp Cam kit, CAM, lifters, etc, part numbers shown below
This boost engine HP up to about 400
Power comes on between 3,000 to 6,000 RPMs
This one left stock carb and intake but with headers and with an auto tranny with a torque converter stall at 3,000 RPMs


View attachment 26677

Is that not a high for a street car though. i mean the 3000 - 6000rpm part. would that not give a bad tickover in that set up ?

Its a 4 speed manual aswell. no torque converter to deal with.

 

[Roscobbc]

If your daily driving was all dual carriageway, motorway use, yes perhaps OK......but if you're going to loose bottom-end flexibility in town use.......without some significant tweaking, especially if you have a low numerical rear end ratio. Did the previous owner supply you with a pair of new heads? I'm guessing not.
Your money, your time but I wouldn't want to go much further without establishing the overall condition of the engine?

 

[Pinhead]

1980 CHEVROLET CORVETTE Melling 22203 Melling M-Select Class 2 Camshafts | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Melling M-Select Class 2 Camshafts with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Camshafts at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

Team zr1 how does this look in the calculator

 

[teamzr1]

Comparing a stock 1981 C1 with manual tranny and than with just the CAM Pinhead selected with its spec

Camshaft Use: Street/Strip
Basic Operating RPM Range: 1,700-5,200
Intake Duration at 050 inch Lift: 214
Exhaust Duration at 050 inch Lift: 224
Duration at 050 inch Lift: 214 int./224 exh.
Advertised Intake Duration: 288
Advertised Exhaust Duration: 290
Advertised Duration: 288 int./298 exh.
Intake Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.444 in.
Exhaust Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.466 in.
Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.444 int./0.466 exh.
(LSA) Lobe Separation (degrees): 112
Melling M-Select Class 2 Camshafts

Melling M-Select Class 2 camshafts are perfect for any ride.
They have good idle quality, low-rpm torque, and mid-range performance.
These cams will work with stock or slightly modified engines with manual or automatic transmissions.

Running my simulator/Model software
Stock '81


Now with Pinheads CAM only change



If choosing about the same CAM grind as Pinheads CAM and one close of COMP CAM
With that CAM and their head kit, the flywheel performance numbers
Power band is good street of 1,800 to 5,200 RPMs

Stock '81 engine was a smog pig and only had 9.0 engine compression so great for low octane gas but if upping compression the performance numbers would go up but would need higher octane gas

Pinheads CAM only change with manual tranny as shown, goes up to 396 flywheel HP with 381 ft/lb torque

 

[Waynio]

Well as said earloier i have left a full cam kit. I have ordered a set of lifters and will be here in a couple, weeks.

Thanks all for the info. ill get my head around it all soon enoguh onc ei get faffing with these cars more.

While i am waitn i have plenty to do like check it over and build the garage over it. Maybe not in that order.