The more I look at my engine the more performance I want to put into it. I was thinking of a new cam what do you guys suggest. I have a 401 with dual 650 carbs
Go with a cam that has specs close to the Duntov 091 grind that Buick used on the super cat engines.... good torque and not overcammed.... and,,,, your 2x4 set up will work much better with a good cam under them....
Be realistic and decide WHERE you want the power increase. A wild cam will make more power over 4000 rpm, but you will lose torque at lower rpms. But a nice street cam like the old Poston NH400 will boost power across the whole rpm range compared to a stock cam. Poston is no more, Accelerated Motion make some good performers, but I'd say your best bet is to PHONE Comp Cams and have them design one for you.....you won't pay extra for the custom grind, and it will be matched to your needs.
I'd get something custom ground like Walt said. What I've noticed is that 'Nails like a wide split between the intake and exhaust duration, and a wider lobe separation angle. Something like 218*/226* or 220*/228* @ .050 on a 110* or 112* LSA would probably work pretty good. Or you could get crazy and toss a TA 413 in it :grin: .
I'm am looking for a little performance boost but not so much that I am going to have to do other engine mods. I may do some in the future but for now I want engine to have a little go
So the TA-25 adds up to 25hp is this in a stock engine or what I have to head work done too? Can I use my Stock SP400 convertor witht the TA-25? Russ Martin told me to use an Isky cam are these good cams?
I think the TA-25 should net around 20hp with an otherwise stock motor. I think you'd be ok with the stock SP400 converter. Anybody know off the top of their head what the factory low/high stall figures are? Does Isky currently offer anything for the Nailhead?
Found 2 Isky grinds on eBay, sold by Falconglobal: http://motors.shop.ebay.com/falcong...401&_osacat=0&bkBtn=&_trksid=p3911.m270.l1313 256H grind: 202/202 duration at 0.050" 0.450/0.450" lift 112 lobe separation 262H grind: 208/208 duration at 0.050" 0.445/0.445" lift 112 lobe separation STOCK Buick cam is: 209/209 duration at 0.050" 0.448/0.425 lift (measured on my 66 401 cam) 114 lobe separation Note the first Isky grind is MILDER than stock, and the second is fairly close to stock! Falcon also sells a stock replacement cam made by Melling.
The 65-66 Skylark GS used the smaller SP300 converter. It stalls approx 2000/3000 rpm. Works great behind a Nailhead! The standard SP400 converter is larger and will stall at a lower rpm. I'd guess about 500 rpm lower, 1500/2500.
That's about what I was thinking, maybe slightly lower. There's no reason to run either of those Isky cams. Schneider Racing Cams has a nice selection for the 'Nail as well. The 284-94H is slightly more radical than the TA-25.
I emailed the guy who sold me the trans and he said that with the TA-25 I might have to scratch the SP converter on the trans or run with the SP on all the time or go with the TA-20 which is a little more than stock. I emailed Russell Martin lets see what he tells me
I just have my SP wired to a toggle switch, and run it in high stall all the time. Too much of a PITA to constantly have to change it.
The Nailhead is the ONLY engine I'm aware of that in OEM form used FLAT-bottom lifters; NON-tapered cam lobes, and the lifter bores were centered over the cam lobes. Every other engine I know of uses crowned lifter bottoms and tapered cam lobes, and the lifter bores were offset from the cam lobe. These features are intended to encourage the lifter to spin in the bore. Are aftermarket cams/lifters for nailheads set up with crowned lifter bottoms and tapered/offset lobes?
High stall heats the trans fluid, and reduces higher-speed efficiency. Trans life goes down, fuel economy goes down, top speed goes down. Contact Bruce Roe; he sells an aftermarket electronic switch-pitch controller using engine vacuum, throttle and brake position switches, and electronic timers to control the converter stator position. Very slick. bcroe@juno.com Tell him Schurkey sent you.
Thanks for that info - I'm aware of Bruce and his controller. Maybe at some point, but it's definitely not very high on my priority list.
Here's what Russell Martin told me to get for my 401 that is fitted with a Eelco 2x4 intake with Edelbrock 650cfm carbs. I would run something with a 218-224 degrees at .050 with a LS of around 112 .. no more than .500 lift with a 1.6 rocker. What does this mean so that way I know what to tell Faso?? With TAPerformance cams which one would it be? http://taperformance.com/products.asp?cat=157
The TA-25 is: 218/228 duration 0.480/0.495" lift 112 degree lobe centers Russ once told me he (Russ) gets his cams from Carmen Faso. Carmen is extremely knowledgeable..... just call Carmen and buy a cam from him.
