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Technical Isky super 88 cam

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by rare 50, May 31, 2022.

  1. rare 50
    Joined: May 27, 2012
    Posts: 25

    rare 50
    Member
    from Australia

    [​IMG] Isky super 88 cam
    Hi
    Can I get peoples opinion on the Isky 88 cam, i really like the note and was after something that has a bit of note to it at idle.
    Im currently getting a new engine built.
    59A
    Eddie Meyer heads and duel intake
    Scat 274 stroker kit.
    Duel 94 carbs
    Stromberg ignition
    Twin exhaust system
    The engine is to go into a 1935 3 window coupe running 39 gearbox and original rear end with 3.54 ratio.
    Is this cam streetable or is it going to be more of a pain and i should option for something like the isky max 1.
    Any opinions are really appreciated as i dont want to make the wrong decision .
    Thanks.
    Graeme
     
  2. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 22,278

    alchemy
    Member

    Do a search on current quality. There's been some comments in the last few years. Hopefully Isky has fixed what was wrong.
     
  3. rare 50
    Joined: May 27, 2012
    Posts: 25

    rare 50
    Member
    from Australia

    I have done a search but there isnt alot said about the 88 for streetable use, theres a lot of mention about the max 1.
    Hence why i was asking for peoples opinions who acually have that cam.
    Thanks
     
  4. Pete1
    Joined: Aug 23, 2004
    Posts: 2,262

    Pete1
    Member
    from Wa.

    It is a mild street cam. Not much better than a stock 53 Ford cam.
    Look for a 1007B.
     
  5. rare 50
    Joined: May 27, 2012
    Posts: 25

    rare 50
    Member
    from Australia

    I did mention the 1007b but my engine builder said i wouldnt be happy with it,(sluggish under 2000rpm )
    Hence he suggested the 88 instead
     
  6. Pete1
    Joined: Aug 23, 2004
    Posts: 2,262

    Pete1
    Member
    from Wa.

    I am sorry to be the one to tell you but you need a new engine builder if he said that.
    That cam was designed for the exact engine you are building and for short track where you need all you can get from idle on up. It has a .007 max. lift velocity which no other cam in it's class has.
    It happens to be one of the most popular street cams in an under 300 ci flathead in the USA.
    You won't be able to get one from Isky though.
     
  7. Garpo
    Joined: Jul 16, 2016
    Posts: 307

    Garpo

    In the old "how to" hot rodding books of the fifties and sixties there were graphs showing the projected horsepower of various cams. The graphs usually started at 2500 rpm to show the gain over stock, and went up to around 5000.
    Below 2500 many of the cams available deliver less horsepower than stock. Finding real performance figures between 1500 and 2500 is difficult or near impossible.
    What I am trying to say is be honest about the way the car will be used, it's gear ratio. and take that into consideration when making your choice. All that said, a radicle cam can sound real nice with straight pipes.
     
  8. krylon32
    Joined: Jan 29, 2006
    Posts: 10,455

    krylon32
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Nebraska
    1. Central Nebraska H.A.M.B.

    I had Dennis Fring's built me a 276 inch motor and I decided on the 88 for the street motor I was shooting for.
     
  9. banjorear
    Joined: Jul 30, 2004
    Posts: 4,719

    banjorear
    Member


    I'd really listen to what those who know cams say. There is a reason why folks keep going back to them for cams. They know what they are talking about from real world experience.
     
  10. dmar836
    Joined: Oct 23, 2018
    Posts: 391

    dmar836
    Member

    Perhaps there is confusion about the multiple 1007 grinds. Of the three, there is a lot of variation.
    Remember, a "hotter" cam in a 274 will behave differently(milder) than in a 221 or 239. Maybe even more important is to consider your compression. Due to overlap, the bigger cams(duration-wise) will generally like higher dynamic compression.
    I have limited experience but some of the Max 1s and 88s I've heard purr like a pussy cat. Sound in a flathead is a major consideration to me. Regrinding is also an option as there are tons of choices. IMO, that would be considerably cheaper - less than half of what Isky is asking for a cam - QC issues aside!
    JMO,
    D
     
    bchctybob and MojoRacing like this.
  11. Automotive Stud
    Joined: Sep 26, 2004
    Posts: 4,387

    Automotive Stud
    Member

    I've got a Max 1 cam in my '47, it's very mild. I've got the 88 in my roadster and the thing really rips. In fact, I grenaded the input shaft two weeks ago with it. I'm also running 4:30 gears, so I'm not sure how it would perform in a heavier car with a higher gear ratio.
     
    bchctybob likes this.
  12. dmar836
    Joined: Oct 23, 2018
    Posts: 391

    dmar836
    Member

    Any video of the 88? What's the rest of the engine specs?
     
  13. 42merc
    Joined: Dec 19, 2010
    Posts: 960

    42merc
    Member

    Read post #1
     
  14. Ebbsspeed
    Joined: Nov 11, 2005
    Posts: 6,441

    Ebbsspeed
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I'm pretty sure he's asking @Automotive Stud what the engine specs of the engine in his roadster are, not the O/P's planned engine build.
     
    dmar836 likes this.
  15. 42merc
    Joined: Dec 19, 2010
    Posts: 960

    42merc
    Member

    You're correct.
     
    dmar836 likes this.
  16. Automotive Stud
    Joined: Sep 26, 2004
    Posts: 4,387

    Automotive Stud
    Member

    My motor is stock stroke, bored .040, Isky 88 cam with adjustable lifters, Zephyr valve springs, Eddie Meyer heads and intake. It also has exhaust port dividers and an aluminum flywheel. It's got exhaust out the rear but no mufflers. Here's a video of it running. https://youtube.com/shorts/M_YVhF6VfWg?feature=share
     
    Todd Wallin, 427 sleeper and dmar836 like this.
  17. dmar836
    Joined: Oct 23, 2018
    Posts: 391

    dmar836
    Member

    Very nice car. Don't want to hijack the OP's thread but is there a story behind it? Lots of chrome and looks like an old magazine car.
    Sounds pretty good. I wouldn't call that a radical cam and in a stroker would likely be pretty mild.
    D
     
  18. banjorear
    Joined: Jul 30, 2004
    Posts: 4,719

    banjorear
    Member

    Can someone help me learn how to upload a video to Youtube? I'll gladly post a vid on my 292 running the Potvin 3/8ths. It sounds like a flat out race car. I started it up this weekend and an old timer in my neighbor ran over. Couldn't believe it was a flathead. It sounds downright angry and pulls like a freight train. I couldn't be happier with my cam choice.

    Mic on phone doesn't do it justice. When I started it up for my Pops, he jumped when I whapped the throttle. LOL!

    Exhaust is headers to halved '36 drive shafts. No baffles.
     
    Atwater Mike likes this.
  19. dmar836
    Joined: Oct 23, 2018
    Posts: 391

    dmar836
    Member

  20. 6sally6
    Joined: Feb 16, 2014
    Posts: 2,885

    6sally6
    Member

    Anybody know the lift.......duration.........LSA of the Isky cam?
    They use to grind most all their cams using a 108LSA. (that's where the 'lick' comes from!)
    I'd research the specs and then call Delta Cams and price out a re-grind with those specs!
    Maybe bump up the duration or tighten the LSA to get the custom soud you want.
    Good people.......
     
  21. Listen to Pete One, he knows cams and will do you right, thats my choice.......IMHO
     
  22. Pete1
    Joined: Aug 23, 2004
    Posts: 2,262

    Pete1
    Member
    from Wa.

    Isky 88
    Intake = .320" 264* (224* @ .050") .010" lash
    Exhaust = .320" 264* (224* @ .050") .012" lash
    111 degree lobe separation.
     
  23. Automotive Stud
    Joined: Sep 26, 2004
    Posts: 4,387

    Automotive Stud
    Member

    Thank you, I built the car about five years ago. I was really going for the 1955 magazine cover look, and I guess it paid off, it made the cover of Hot Rod in March 2021. Thanks for the compliment!
     
    dmar836 likes this.
  24. 6sally6
    Joined: Feb 16, 2014
    Posts: 2,885

    6sally6
    Member

    Sounds pretty durn sweeet to me! I'm sure the Alum. flywheel affects the idle some.
    I'm not a flattie 'expert' by any stretch but....can you modify the ignition curve in those like an OHV /SBF engine?
    Lighter advance springs more initial advance without too much total advance?
    It made my SBF a totally different animal(or pony!?!:eek:)
    6sally6
     

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