Need help figuring out what is the right cam for my car

[JayPat83]

Trying to max out the potential of my engine but still keep it everyday driven ready.

Here is what I have:

From what I know it is a stock, rebuilt 73 sbo 350
A4 intake
stock HEI
stock quadrajet 4 bbl
Flowtech longtube ceramic headers with 1-5/8" primaries and 3" collectors
2-1/4" true dual exhaust to mufflers and turndowns
Stock open diff with 2.something gear

One day I will be getting a better carb. and posi rear with a 3.08 or 3.42 gear.

I want a smooth idle, runs on 93 octane, will be able to use the factory th350 converter. Suggestions?

 

[JayPat83]

Here is one I found online but I am not sure of the specs....

Oldsmobile 1968-84 V-8 with hydraulic flat tappets. Power Range 1200-5000 RPM. Description of performance: Torque/RV cam. Good torque, mileage, and economy. Valve Lift Int/Exh .449/.473, Duration Adv. Int/Exh in degrees 280/289, Duration @.050 Int/Exh in degrees 204/214, Centerline lobe 112.

 

[Kwik_Cutty88]

Comp Cams has a free online program called Cam Quest. You put in a few specs and it picks a good cam for you.

 

[beeterolds]

I ran that cam you listed in my 455, and it was an absolute dog. Granted with 3.73 gears it wasn't bad but anything less i hated it.. It always seemed like it lacked low end if you can believe... Personally I would go with a more modern grind.

 

[JayPat83]

Comp Cam's Camquest recommended the following cams:

XE262H, 268H, XE268H, 270H, 275DEH

Anyone here real familiar with these? Do comp cams come with lifters or do you buy them separate? Would I not be just as happy with the Melling's MT01 kit with lifters if I eventually upgrade my carb. and rear gears?

 

[bygddy]

Comp Cam's Camquest recommended the following cams:

XE262H, 268H, XE268H, 270H, 275DEH

Anyone here real familiar with these? Do comp cams come with lifters or do you buy them separate? Would I not be just as happy with the Melling's MT01 kit with lifters if I eventually upgrade my carb. and rear gears?

You can get them with lifters, if your staying mostly stock with sub 9:1compression, then something in the low 200's for duration, mid 400's lift will be a decent upgrade, the Melling MT your looking at fits that bill, or a comp 260H, 212/212 @.050 with 447/447 would work well.
If upgrades are coming, small converter, maybe a better head with a compression bump, gears, then I would look at the XE262, 218/224 @.050, 475/480, this will pull very well with 9.1+ compression and good exhaust.
Here are your PN#'s for cam and lifters
http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/c ... oldsmobile
http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/c ... oldsmobile

 

[JayPat83]

Comp Cam's Camquest recommended the following cams:

XE262H, 268H, XE268H, 270H, 275DEH

Anyone here real familiar with these? Do comp cams come with lifters or do you buy them separate? Would I not be just as happy with the Melling's MT01 kit with lifters if I eventually upgrade my carb. and rear gears?

You can get them with lifters, if your staying mostly stock with sub 9:1compression, then something in the low 200's for duration, mid 400's lift will be a decent upgrade, the Melling MT your looking at fits that bill, or a comp 260H, 212/212 @.050 with 447/447 would work well.
If upgrades are coming, small converter, maybe a better head with a compression bump, gears, then I would look at the XE262, 218/224 @.050, 475/480, this will pull very well with 9.1+ compression and good exhaust.
Here are your PN#'s for cam and lifters
http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/c ... oldsmobile
http://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/c ... oldsmobile

Heads, converter, compression bump wont come for years from now. I just want to max out my potential and enjoyment in what I have for now. Melling seems like the obvious choice given the information I now know. Thank you all very much!!!

 

[jetsetw31]

Heads, converter, compression bump wont come for years from now. I just want to max out my potential and enjoyment in what I have for now. Melling seems like the obvious choice given the information I now know. Thank you all very much!!!

Hey Jay, My advice, Leave your cam alone! Save up and get the rear gears, the the intake, etc... Drive it and see what it feels like stock with the mods you already have. Unless you kill the stock cam by grinding the lobes down from oil starvation, just replace it with another stock cam. Boosting engine power before you get the parts to handle the rest of the power WILL break things. Expensive things.
Drive it before you do anything else. That way you can plan for the upgrades you need to get the performance you want.JMHO
T

 

[79cutlasssalon442]

I built a chevy 350 .040" over with 9.77:1 compression and vortec heads. 700r4 with 3.42 posi. I used the comp xe268 cam and lifter kit.. it has amazing power everywhere. I'll be doing 30 through town, jazz it on dry pavement and both back tires will light right up.. great cam. And i'm running it all in a 79 cutlass salon 442.

 

[jetsetw31]

I built a chevy 350 .040" over with 9.77:1 compression and vortec heads. 700r4 with 3.42 posi. I used the comp xe268 cam and lifter kit.. it has amazing power everywhere. I'll be doing 30 through town, jazz it on dry pavement and both back tires will light right up.. great cam. And i'm running it all in a 79 cutlass salon 442.

Comp Cams is not a Olds friendly company. Their Olds grinds are generic and will only work right if you build a Olds like a Chevy. That is not a good idea if you want longevity In a Olds motor. Lunati, Crowler, and (I hate to say it) Edelbrock's performer and performer RPM cams are good cams for Oldsmobile motors. There are more companies but, those are the popular ones.
T