Help me pick a camshaft for 350

GubNi

GubNi

8 lug disc brakes?
Joined
Mar 20, 2005
Location
Jonesborough, TN
I have a YJ with a 350 in it. It's a stock crate motor ordered for a 1987 half ton truck. It has TBI fuel injection and the previous owner said he did the mod for more fuel already. It has a turbo 350 trans with a stock stall converter. It's mostly a trailer queen on 42's.

I know nothing about cam numbers. I've tried to read some, but I don't fully understand how it all works together.

What benefit would I get from a new cam? Is it worth it?

I called summit tech support and he asked me a few questions. I told him I wanted a lumpy sound and he said can't do that with computer controlled. I also said I am looking for a quicker throttle response and more low end torque.

He reccomended Comp Cams 12-388-4 and 812-16 lifters. This kit is $226.94. I don't know how much different this is from stock.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-12-388-4/
 
Honestly i got ahold of the comp cams reps and gave em all specs on the engine heads/intake/carb/tire size/ratio etc and they tell you what cam would be best for your setup, but if its gonna be for offroad i hear their 4x4 extreme cam is great and has tons of torque dunno how crazy you want it but its a somewhat mild cam from what i understood hope this helps ya out!
 
Thanks. I did and they said to go with camshaft 12-364-4. Duration @ .050 208/217 Lift is .477/.472 with a 113 LSA. You will need to upgrade springs, etc. I would ned to get the full K kit it comes with everything K12-364-4 for $471.
 
Yeah i just replaced all valve springs parts so i wasnt needin the whole kit but id think if you werent going really wild with it new springs etc wouldnt have to be changed..? I am prolly overlooking something tho im sure. Im no technician just back yard mech so its been trial and error for my engine building process lol If i can find guys number ill let ya know he can get all comp products at retail if thats any cheaper???...
 
I dunno about fuel injection/computers im only as far as carbs! haha
 
I hear you can get a rv cam for really low end torque and they are nicely priced dunno what all else comes with computers tho!
 
If you're really unsure about cams, look through youtube videos. There are several videos that help explain it more. There are also videos of different cams in chevy 350's so that way you'd know if that's the sound you are looking for. That's where I'd start.
 
with the tbi setup, the lumpy sound just isn't going to happen if you want low-end grunt out of it(with a fat cam, you're lucky if it even runs with a tbi).
do you happen to know the casting number of your cylinder heads? The mid-80's tbi heads are almost the lowest performing heads made for a sbc-you'd really be shooting yourself in the foot going with a long-duration cam.

short of changing out to real performance cylinder heads, try a chet herbert cam, part no. CLC2N, available from doug herbert racing, i've run several of their grinds over the years and i've been very happy with the throttle response and reliability. Here's the quick specs, (you should be ok with stock springs on this one)
Dur Int-Exh: 265/275
Dur @ .050 Int-Exh: 205/215
Lift 1.5 - 1.5 Int/Exh: 425/445
Lift 1.6 -1.6 Int/Exh:
Lift 1.7 -1.7 Int/Exh:
Lobe Center: 112
Valve Lash: HYD
RPM Range: 1000-5000
Description: More power and RPM thanstock. Stock converter ok
 
^ x2 on heads... I found some cast 72 400 heads that work great for semi stock 350 block!!! can find some cheap too!
 
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