Hey Guys I got a '65 327 block I am building. I want to go with the original-style 3863151 cam. So far I have only found that Crane Cams and Howards both make that grind, which would be better? Also, what would be a good lifter to mate up with that grind? This is all going to be for a "daily" driver, so I'd like it to be very street-able. Thanks guys
Streetable will depend on the rest of your drivetrain. That may not be the cam for you unless you're running a manual transmission, or a stall converter and gears. I put a Comp 268H in my 327 with an auto and I love it. Nice idle and very good performance, and although a slightly higher stall converter would be nice, it isn't neccessary.
It's a old grind. A aftermarket cam like a Comp cam XE268 will run better, More horsepower,torque at all rpm levels. I have built four 327s Made the mistake of using that grind in one engine.
If memory serves me right....that was a fairly mild hydraulic cam! You would have little problems producing vacumn at idle for power brakes. Both cam manufactures you listed are fine.....as for lifters, Rhoads make quality stuff. If your running an automatic car, an 1800-2000 rpm stall converter would be fine. As stated above....I would opt for something up to date...cam technology has come a long way!
It's the 350 horse 327 L79 cam. Never offered in an automatic car from the factory, and probably for a good reason.
whats your plan for heads and the rest of drivetrain. cam recommendation for a 4 spd and 4.11 gears or an auto with 3.36's vary greatly. Whats the car and weight. If youre spending $ on a cam, buy a new grind. I dont even know that I'd run an old school cam if it was free. Too much advantage with the newer grinds.
I am trying to build up a '65 corvette engine that I am gonna put in my '57 Chevy. It will be mated to a t5 (I'll be doing lots of highway driving). I do believe, if my math is correct, that I have 3.36 in the rear. With that information now, how does the 3863151 sound? Do I want to go with high intensity or just anti pump-up lifters? Thanks for the input so far guys!
Your best bet on lifters is to buy from any of the reputable cam companies and get the cam, lifters, and springs as a set.
I have run both XE262 and 268energizer either are all around good cam for that motor. I had a 400 flat tops in a truck with the 327/350hp aftermarket cam and it scooted and idled well for a truck with 33's. I remember seeing a super chevy where the old comp cams straight same duration on intake/exhaust actually out did the new xe cams.(within 5hp) it does depend on the other goodies. I just don't think you can go wrong with old energizer 268
Go with a Howards roller cam and their hydralic roller lifters. I tried them "Made in USA" and am very happy with Howards products and Tech reps.
Comp Cams has an L79 grind that they have changed the valve timing while keeping the same specs and claim to get 34 more hp than the original. Very streetable too.
The L79 cam works great if you have the 11 to 1 domes on the pistons. The cam has enough overlap it really kills torque without compression. Go with a newer split pattern cam and you'll like it alot more.
.460 lift intake 4.70 exhaust will be about max for a mild sbc. Want low end to mid range? .425-.450 intake lift. The modern grinds are refined. And sound good. Carefull selection on your break-in oil/lube. If hardcore old school grind is the only way, fine but you will give up some power.
The pistons I am looking at will give me somewhere around 9.6 to 9.8:1 compression ration. Is this cam good for a ratio like that? Or should I just go with a more modern version of the cam that will work better with my ratio?
You should go with a newer grind period. I've run the L79 cam in a 377 stroker with 10.5 to 1 compression and 1.6 rockers. It worked very well. My brother used the same cam in a flattop 327 with 461 heads. It was a mutt until you were above 3000 rpms. Really not much fun.
Just my 2 cents worth... If it were me I would call one of the top cam makers and talk to there tech dept they have more knowledge of what works for your compleat combonation (engine ,trans ,drive line ect.) I have found this to be the best approach if your not cam savy. remember sound don't make power, the rite cam do
I think you'll want to move to some 3.73 or 3.90 gears with the T5. Also your asking about a higher RPM cam while setting up your chevy for lower RPM gearing. You'll want your crusing RPM to be inside of your cam's RPM power range, which, with the info you've given, will not be the case. The 268H will give you a choppier, noticeable idle, and an RPM range to work at highway speeds.
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