YACT: Camming...

[Toastedlightly]

So, this is a question from a complete noob! What is the maximum amount of lift possible on a 1977 Chevy 350 w/ stock heads springs and whatnot? Anybody know? Random question, but should make for some fun times.

EDIT: Here are the parts I may be getting for 500 bucks: (****** formatting, but you get the gist)


ACC-0576 Spark Plug, U-Groove, Tapered Seat, 14mm Thread, .460 in. Reach, Projected Tip, Resistor, Each $1.95 8 $15.60

ACC-4048 Spark Plug Wires, Super Stock, RFI Suppression, 8mm, Yellow, Stock Boots, GM, V8, Set $29.88 1 $29.88

BIG-11100FLT Headers, Full-Length, Steel, Painted, Chevy, Car, Small Block, Pair $96.95 1 $96.95

CCA-2100 Timing Chain, Magnum Double Roller, Steel Sprockets, Chevy, Small Block V8/V6, Set $32.95 1 $32.95

EDL-2101 Intake Manifold, Performer, Dual Plane, Aluminum, Natural, Square/Spread Bore Flange, Chevy, Small Block, Each $114.88 1 $114.88

EDL-2102 Cam and Lifters, Hydraulic Flat Tappet, Advertised Duration 278/288, Lift .420/.442, Chevy, Small Block, Kit $117.88 1 $117.88

FEL-MS90314-2 Intake Gaskets, Stock Port, Chevy, Small Block, Set $15.69 1 $15.69

MRG-93 Gaskets, Timing Cover, Chevy, Small Block/90 Degree V6, Kit $7.50 1 $7.50

PRO-66945RC HEI Distributor Upgrade Kit, Coil, Cap, Rotor, Module, GM, Kit $66.88 1 $66.88

 

[Toastedlightly]

nobdoy!?

 

[Crucial]

yeah, this is the LAST place I would ask for advice on performance mods on a small block chevy.

 

[SlitheryDee]

You will lift off at 125 knots.

 

[Crucial]

If you have no where else to ask I would call these guys.

http://www.cranecams.com/?show=technicalHelp

 

[DaTT]

Originally posted by: Crucial
yeah, this is the LAST place I would ask for advice on performance mods on a small block chevy.

But there are some knowledgeable peoples here......

 

[Crucial]

Originally posted by: DaTT

Originally posted by: Crucial
yeah, this is the LAST place I would ask for advice on performance mods on a small block chevy.

But there are some knowledgeable peoples here......

And 143,585 people who think they are but will give you "advice" anyway.

 

[Toastedlightly]

Yea, I'm bored and still looking. Is it crazy to put 500 dollars into a 200 dollar car?

 

[iamaelephant]

You could go a little bigger than that cam, but I wouldn't venture past the 300 thou mark without new springs and rockers. However, take my advise with a grain of salt as I'm mostly a Ford man Why are you going for a double row timing chain on such a low budget motor? Seems like a waste of money, but I suppose it's only $30-odd for some extra insurance. Is you current timing cover naffed? HEI distributors are cool but they take up an aweful lot of spce. Not so much an issue for a chevy motor. I bought an HEI dizzy for my Falcon (brand new, converted for a Cleveland V8) and it is damn cool but it's massive - I had to use a spacer under my carb so my air filter could fit, and then my bonnet wouldn't close!

 

[CFster]

Still a smog motor, with small valve heads.

And the only parts there that actually help performance are the cam, intake and headers. But again, you're dealing with a low compression motor with lousy heads.

I'm more of a Mopar guy myself, I've found that the Performer intake actually hurt performance (on Mopar engines). Had much better results with a Performer RPM.

What kind of carb?

 

[DaTT]

Originally posted by: iamaelephant
You could go a little bigger than that cam, but I wouldn't venture past the 300 thou mark without new springs and rockers. However, take my advise with a grain of salt as I'm mostly a Ford man Why are you going for a double row timing chain on such a low budget motor? Seems like a waste of money, but I suppose it's only $30-odd for some extra insurance. Is you current timing cover naffed? HEI distributors are cool but they take up an aweful lot of spce. Not so much an issue for a chevy motor. I bought an HEI dizzy for my Falcon (brand new, converted for a Cleveland V8) and it is damn cool but it's massive - I had to use a spacer under my carb so my air filter could fit, and then my bonnet wouldn't close!

An english man.

 

[CFster]

Originally posted by: iamaelephant
I had to use a spacer under my carb so my air filter could fit, and then my bonnet wouldn't close!

BTW, K&N makes a 14" round air filter that has like a 2" drop on it. That's what I used on my 64 Dodge.



Here.

 

[Compton]

If that engine is original, I wouldn't do a cam swap. I would do a complete rebuild. I definately wouldn't run a new cam on 30 year old springs.

I did put a cam with similar specs in a 305 and I was very happy with the results.

 

[Crucial]

You are asking for trouble by not replacing the springs.

The Vortec heads are pretty cheap and would be a good replacement for the smog heads that are probably on that motor now. You can get them for about $250 each fully assembled.
http://chevyhiperformance.com/techarticles/148_0507_vortec/

 

[moshquerade]

i thought this thread was going to be about something else.

 

[Crucial]

Originally posted by: moshquerade
i thought this thread was going to be about something else.

Well if you want to post a link to your cam feel free! PM works as well.