hi new to buicks and i'm trying to decide on a cam. specs are 74 455 headers,edlebrock or b4b intake, stock compression. this is going a 71 skylark with 3.42 gears. i don't mind a rough idle. this will be a daily driver. any cam recomendations? i'm leaning towards the TA290-94H or TA292-02H thanks dave
Hey Dave, nice to hear from another NJ guy, where abouts are you in NJ? Anyway, I've built engines with both those cams and they're nearly identical in sound and power. They both make ungodly low end power and idle in the 800-900 rpm range depending on your tuning ability. Are you using a stock torque convertor?
I've got the 292-02H in my 455, and I love it. I'm running 400 heads/1.6 stock rockers, so it comes out to like .497 lift I believe. It idles and pulls strong with a mech. sec. 850 Speed Demon, ~9:1 compression, SP1 intake, headers, and TCI Street Fighter. It pulls strong all the way, and over 6,000 rpm. With no headwork, no posi, stock unboxed suspension, a lazy TH400, and 3.23 gears, I've taken my 4500 lb + Sport Wagon down the track in 14.1@100mph with no stall, and no traction off the line. When I built the engine, I would have gotten more cam (~.520+ lift), but I already had Stg 1 valve springs and couldn't go over .500 lift w/those....which ended up getting replaced with 1125's anyway...doh! But I also valued reliability so less cam seemed better to me too (bearing meltout and such). It has been a great cam for me though. If I can get some Al Stg 1 heads, suspension work, more tuning, and a 3.42 posi, I'm confident I can get this car into 12's. You'll be happy with either cam for sure! Oh yeah, you can definitely hear a lope, although not like a race car, it sounds good and you'll know it has a cam, especially with open exhaust. Good luck! -Andy
Al, i'm from Parsippany,NJ. i don't know if i will use a higher stall converter, i'm trying to do this somewhat low budget. if anyone has a recomendation on a inexspensive torque converter that will hold up to the 455 torque i would appreciate it. thank you for your replies dave
