hi, im looking for a good low to mid range cam, i was thinking about the 270hl Isky, which seems like it would have good low end and top end. but this is my first cam so i thought id talk to the "gurus" first
The 335 hp 390GT cam would be a good choice. It is probably my best selling 390 cam. No complaints yet.
Contact any cam people,the will send you a engine sheet for you to fill out specs on motor,trans, gear ratio and what you are using the car for and then will suggest a cam.
I'm with you. Nobody knows a camshaft like the people that grind them. Send them the specs and what you are trying to achieve, then they can suggest camshaft profiles...possibly even a custom grind.
does anybody have experience withe the Isky 270hl? id like to go with Isky, because there really oldschool, and when people see the Isky decal in my window they can wonder what it is. im weird like that
I run an Iskenderian 280 Mega Cam with Rhoads lifters in my five-seven. (355cid) The 270 still lopes pretty good in a sbc (friend had one in an el Camino) so I would run a 2500 to 2800 stall converter since you are looking for low end power, too. Variable duration lifters made a HUGE difference in my application and I would use them again. Besides, the clatter at low rpms is pretty cool. I would still call the mfg you choose and get a recommendation from them. Just wanted to add that you should definitely take the time to degree your cam. It can make a world of difference. My 280 is installed 4 degrees advanced to help low end power. Ask the mfg for input on degreeing the cam and if you should advance cam timing for better streetability.
They "bleed off" at low rpms reducing the lift/duration at the valve, giving you more useable power at low rpms. Rhoads made them famous, but Crane also makes them. Here's the lowdown... http://www.cranecams.com/?show=article&id=9 and http://www.rhoadslifters.com/
socal57, im looking at doing that exact setup. the 280 mega and rhoads lifters. do you think this would work well in a 4x4 truck, my friend has a 284 with 520 lift in his tow rig, and he says it didnt effect gas mileage or his bottom end.
I just wrote a super-long reply, hit backspace and the whole stinkin thing is gone. I'll retype it and post in a while. .................a little while later...................... short version... Are you running an auto trans? If so, you will need a stall converter unless you run a steep set of gears. I have a 2500 stall in my five-seven. It had 3.73 positraction in the original rear end and I just swapped in an S-10 locker with 3.42s. If the trans comes back out I'll go to a 2800/3000 stall converter. It has a nice rumpety-rump at "cruising speeds" in town and doesn't snap yer neck when I engage the transmission. Your longer stroke should help you. Long duration cams are more manageable the more stroke you have. I see that you're in Fallbrook. I'm in Shadowridge, just a couple miles south of the 78 on Melrose. If you're interested, maybe we could set up some time so you could hear how it sounds.
Steep refers to hill climbers. Typically, 4.10 or numerically higher (which we refer to as lower gears,) like 4.36, 4.56, 5.13s and the like. Tire diameter will be the next factor. Increasing diameter raises your end gear ratio where the power is transferred to the pavement. If you have really tall rubber out back your 4.10s won't act like they do if you had M-50/14 low profiles on it. T-buckets generally have some pretty tall fatties on the back. Just something else to keep in mind as you choose a cam/converter/rear gear setup.
well its got 33"s on it now and i plan on going to 35"s, im thinkin i'll go with the mega 270 and rhoads lifters, that should give me plenty of low end power along with good top end.
I ran the factory Mustang GT 335 hp cam when I had a 390 FE in my coupe about a thousand years ago. It worked really well, but the idea that the cam grinders haven't figured a few things out in the last thirty years is pretty silly. The advice about calling around, telling them what you want to do, and listening to what the experts ve to say is really good.
Sounds great. It's real easy to overcam. Best of luck on your build. BTW, is it in running condition now? also...when you order the cam have the trans, axle ratio, tire size, carb/intake, and vehicle weight handy so they can recommend a converter stall speed.
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