Opinions on Pontiac cams

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Oct 14, 2008
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I've been wondering that myself. Since no one looks down their noses at a sbc 350 or even a olds 350. Both of those seem to be routinely built with 220 or more duration @.050 on the intake side without a second thought. But the general consensus seems to be that much duration is too much on a Poncho 350.
Agreed. In my 9 to 1 214/214 .472/.472 110 LSA cam idled at 800 rpm decently smooth had 16" of vacuum and worked great with a 2350 stall and 2.78 gears with a 25" tall tire. With the 1600 stall, pretty doggy off the line.
 

Archer1

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Jan 11, 2022
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3
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Isky mega 264. Without a doubt. The heads are sized just right for a 350 and a 108ls is on the money for a 350 too. It’s just going to run too soft with those old cams. I’m willing to bet the stock cam you have now has an intake closing point close to the 264 mega
 

bracketchev1221

Royal Smart Person
Jan 18, 2018
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I would have to agree with a past post, don't sell yourself short on ancient cams. There is a lot available today that will maintain the same qualities and run circles around factory cams.
 

spidereyes455

G-Body Guru
Mar 6, 2013
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Appreciate the replies but that project is long since complete. We wound up going with the Summit 2800 for cost and simplicity reasons and I have to say I am quite pleased with how it runs. It was never meant to be a street scorcher, if it was I would have used a 455. It's a pleasure to drive and has more power everywhere than it ever did before and sounds pretty good to boot.
 
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Bonnewagon

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
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Sep 18, 2009
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Jim that sounds great. A pretty grumpy idle. The Summit 2800 has the same 278 duration as my Crane HMV278 and that is how my 400 sounded. The Summit uses a lot less lift. How is the low end power? My 400 didn't get moving until around 2500 rpm and then it flew. I also needed a vacuum can for the power brakes.
 

spidereyes455

G-Body Guru
Mar 6, 2013
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Mark, it seems to make good power all around definitely in the 12-1500 to 3500 range and you don't even really need to give it any gas when pulling out from a stop. I haven't really pushed it hard much cause it is still a long way from being broken in. It only had about 300 miles or so on it when I parked it for the winter, so it is likely to run better as I drive it more.
It idles at about 650 rpm with 14-15 inches of vacuum. And it runs on 87 octane with no pinging at about 14* initial. Have not yet had a chance to check total timing. But initial informal testing says it should go low to mid 14's at around 90 or so mph.
 
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spidereyes455

G-Body Guru
Mar 6, 2013
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But it really shines on the highway. With those 3.23 gears and the power band of the engine it just keeps pulling and will go from 50 to 100 without you even realizing it. I am very happy with it especially since it is basically just a stock rebuild other than the cam and the addition of a qjet and stock iron intake.
 
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Merlin1952

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Mar 26, 2015
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Eastern N.C.
Spider; I was hoping you would post a video of that engine at idle I was curious what it would sound like. That Summit 2800 appears close to the factory “P” or 067 cam just with more lift. Had the 067 cam many years ago in a 400 and it worked really well. Sounds a little better in your 350 though. That is a really nice sounding engine not radical but definitely a little rumble. Congratulations.
 

Bonnewagon

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
Supporting Member
Sep 18, 2009
10,536
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Jim, my 400 was just like that. Stock Pontiac everything except the cam and a dual exhaust. 3:23 gears are my personal gear of choice. I have them in my Bonnewagon. Great accelleration, not bad on the highway. Last February we drove all the way to somewhere past that Kalihari resort place, almost to Binghampton, for a 1977 Trans Am rear. It had only 50k on it and a 3:23 posi rear. The drums were GM factory original and not even worn. It is in the 1980 TA and my buddy is super happy with it. We still don't know what cam is in his 400 but it idles butter smooth and revs briskly. And yours is on a stick? WOWSERS!!!!
 
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