What would be a good street cam for a stock compression ratio 350. It is in my sons 70 Skylark. He just picked up a TA Intake and headers for it. It has 3.42 gears and a stock 350 turbo with stock converter. May have a 200-4R with a GN converter later. Bob H.
Theres a big difference between a stock TH350 converter and a 200R4 with a D5 converter. I ran a 200R4 for awhile with a D5 and found it to stall 2200-2500 in my 72 skylark. A stock TH350 unit stalls about what 1500-1800? The Comp 268 cam is what I run and I like it very much. It recommends 3.23-3.73 gears and a 22-2500 stall converter. Personally I found it to respond best to a 3.42 ratio rear end and a 22-2500 stall converter. It recommends 9.0:1 compression. I imagine it would be just fine with 8.5 I have heard enough dissatisfied people to make me avoid recommending the Comp 260, the next step down. It may be recommended for stock compression ratio, but I havent heard anyone sing its praises. Not that its a BAD cam, but I just havent heard complete satisfaction from those I know who have used it. I guess my advise would be to plan ahead. If youre going to eventually go with a higher stall TH350 OR 200R4 setup, then get the cam to match. Youve already got the 3.42s. Nice ratio. good luck! Ken G
Here are the specs on the 268 cam. <table class="overvw"><tbody><tr><td class="overvw-labels">Duration at 050 inch Lift</td><td class="overvw-midmargin"> </td><td class="overvw-data">218 int./218 exh.</td></tr><tr><td class="overvw-labels">Advertised Intake Duration</td><td class="overvw-midmargin"> </td><td class="overvw-data">268</td></tr><tr><td class="overvw-labels">Advertised Exhaust Duration</td><td class="overvw-midmargin"> </td><td class="overvw-data">268</td></tr><tr><td class="overvw-labels">Advertised Duration</td><td class="overvw-midmargin"> </td><td class="overvw-data">268 int./268 exh.</td></tr><tr><td class="overvw-labels">Intake Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio</td><td class="overvw-midmargin"> </td><td class="overvw-data">0.469 in.</td></tr><tr><td class="overvw-labels">Exhaust Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio</td><td class="overvw-midmargin"> </td><td class="overvw-data">0.469 in.</td></tr></tbody></table> That is a SMALL cam. I would not recommend it. The TA 212 is the smallest cam that should ever be in a 350 IMO, because it makes big torque and it's still able support some RPM. Its duration is @.050 218*/230* Gives the exhaust side much needed help. Don't expect any nice lumpy exhaust sounds from either of these cams because it's not going to happen.
In my opinion the 260 and 268 are both a waste of money. If you're adding performance parts and $$ why go with such a mild cam when there are much stronger ones available. Not saying the 260-8 aren't better than stock, it's a major step up, but still.
Cullin keep in mind we are working with an advertised 9.0:1 compression ratio which is more than likely around 8.5:1.............Thanks for the reply. Bob H.
[That is a SMALL cam. I would not recommend it. The TA 212 is the smallest cam that should ever be in a 350 IMO, because it makes big torque and it's still able support some RPM. Its duration is @.050 218*/230* Gives the exhaust side much needed help. Don't expect any nice lumpy exhaust sounds from either of these cams because it's not going to happen.[/quote] I'll have to post a clip of my 350 with the 212 cam, maybe not super lumpy, but a sweet snarl w/ the 2.5 TA exhaust! I really like it (cam 212) but I'm a geek. it rips off the line (street driving feel) with 2.73:1 gears. trans is a 350 with a low 1st ratio.
Hey Bob, I don't know a lot about 350's. But if you are looking at 8.5:1 then you will need to keep the overlap at .050 as close to 0 as possible and the TA-212 has 4* overlap because they grind that cam on a 110 lobe center for the 350's which will help keep the cylinder pressure up. I think that you could run anywhere from 0* to 5* overlap on that combination and be OK. Once you start getting much higher on the overlap then you start to need the use of higher stall and the engine will not perform well at low RPS thus the high stall 3.73 gear requirements. Another good cam for your application would be the TA-C110 only 1* overlap. If it where me I think I would choose the TA-212.
I'll have to post a clip of my 350 with the 212 cam, maybe not super lumpy, but a sweet snarl w/ the 2.5 TA exhaust! I really like it (cam 212) but I'm a geek. it rips off the line (street driving feel) with 2.73:1 gears. trans is a 350 with a low 1st ratio.[/quote] Listen how mild this larger cam sounds in my Buick. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2hrXV0hjTg
Listen how mild this larger cam sounds in my Buick. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2hrXV0hjTg[/QUOTE] Sounds good.:TU: Bob H.
Thanks James I think the 212 would be a good choice but it's up to my son. The 8.5:1 is a guess but I'm sure they are not at the advertised 9.0:1 ratio. Any snow yet? Bob H.
I agree it is probably not 9:1. If he goes to big he will be sorry. It is my opinion that you are better to go with a little to small of a cam then a little to big. Anyway, yes it has snowed twice but doesn't stick around until late December early January and thats good because I still need some tuning time before next race season.
Cason, I am agreeing with you, I don't consider this to be a wild cam. I was just saying that if he goes much bigger that he would be sorry. I think that the 212 is a great cam for the application.
I chose the 268 for my Regal due to the fact that the was intended to be a driver, no racing. My car idles @ 700rpm and the cam has a nice mild lope, sounds good through the headers with 18" Magnaflow mufflers, 2-1/2 exhaust. 3 runs at the track netted mid 14s in the 73 Regal shifting at 5,200. I am NOT saying this is the best cam available.
The deciding factor for me was that the 268 was $50 cheaper than comparable TA and Poston cams. Call me stingy but 12 degrees more exhaust duration isnt worth $50 to me. Either way - 212 or 268 - youve got a fine cam.
