I need help picking a cam for my chevy 350 engine.

Asked by mbmark2433 Feb 01, 2009 at 10:53 AM

Question type: Car Customization

I need help picking a cam for my 87 350 engine.  It is a tbi engine but i have a team g 7531 intake and a 750 holley double pump carb.  I also have a pair of camel back heads and headers.  I'm going to put all of these on the engine but i need help with the cam.  I want something that will give me a nice lope sound, nothing heavy.  Its for cruising and show, but i want it very streetable with no problems.  I heard competition cam xtreme energy are good ones for the street.  I need a nice sound, nothing heavy.  Also not that bad on gas.  (Thanks for any help) I know you guys will help me.  you guys are CarGurus.

16 Answers

2,915

It sounds like you are looking for that cool "hot rod sound" while keeping power brakes, etc. Probably the best choice for you is the "Thumpr" series of cams from Comp Cams. The xtreme energy series is a good choice, but I beleive the Thumpr series is EXACTLY what you are looking for. Your description of what you are looking for sounds like it is taken straight from then Comp Cams website. For more info, check here: http://www.thumprcams.com/

28 people found this helpful.
215

i went with a Crane Cams Energizer kit 272 duratrion, int/ehx .454/.454 this and amazing cam kit really makes a difference

8 people found this helpful.
2,915

That is not a bad choice. 272 duration and .454 lift are significantly more aggressive than stock, but should still generate enough vacuum for power brakes and street accessories. This cam should work well with your engine, but switching to a dual plane intake like an edelbrock performer RPM will increase low end torque (and therefore street driveability) The Team G is a great intake, but a single-plane intake may be a little aggressive for the rest of your combo. The RPM may give up a small horsepower defecit on the dyno, but on the street, the increased torque and flatter power curve will make up for the difference. If you decide to keep the single-plane intake, consider a manual transmission or torque converter with at least 2800 rpm stall speed. This will help overcome the lack of low speed torque from that single plane intake.

15 people found this helpful.
375

I would recommend the lunati voodoo cam for your car. It sounds like you will have a good all around motor but the double hump heads do not flow nearly as good as the later castings such as the ones that your camaro came out with. Dont forget that you may need a stall converter and taller gears to work with a bigger cam shaft. I would also upgrade the intake to an edelbrock performer for around $100. Good luck on your project.

7 people found this helpful.
275

I am also trying to find a nice cam for my 1992 chevy 305. I would like something with a lopey sound, like a top fuel dragster or something. Something real lopey. Is it still good with fuel economy? I am looking at the thumpr cams from comp cams and want to know if this series of cams still has good fuel economy. I can lose a bit of economy because its a 305 ci engine and i can put a throttle body spacer and stuff for better fuel economy.

7 people found this helpful.
2,915

The thumpr might work very well for your 305, but I do not know if it is compatible with fuel injection. Since you have injection, you should call the comp cams tech hotline and ask if that cam will work in computerized applications. The same cam characteristics that cause a lumpy, hot-rod idle can cause problems with the stock fuel injection calibration. As far as economy goes, I would not expect a large difference in economy. Once you change the cam and increase the power, you may find that you "put your foot in it" more which will kill economy, but I do not think that the cam will cause a large drop in mileage by itself. In fact, some mild performance cams can increase fuel economy SLIGHTLY due to increased combustion efficiency.

7 people found this helpful.
215

if you have really good springs that can take a little more than .500" lift id probably go with something like an 220 duration .490" lift, comp cams are expensive but there worth it, they also make good roller cam kits. good luck

7 people found this helpful.
275

I also read on comp cams that in order to run a "mutha thumpr" or "big mutha thumpr" a person has to machine their cylinder heads. I dont want to have to do that

7 people found this helpful.
215

that is true but on a chev engine u should be able to run a 500 lift cam with only just a 500+ valve spring and depending on the valve to piston clearance

6 people found this helpful.
70

I used a 1972 z 28 cam and to make the cam lope tone I put cheri bomb mufflers that sounded perfect. The california turbos and thrust mufflers were not p roducing the rumble lope sound at all we all seeked. Ran. Strong and sounded like a br ute. A real head turner.

7 people found this helpful.
110

I'm also looking for a cam for my 350 chev.using as a burnout rig so need strong bottom end.was looking for some advise or anything really cheers jarraf

11 people found this helpful.
220

Hey guys My name is Jorge i need a lil help from u guys .. I have a 1988 chevy caprice I resently took my 305 out and put in a 1994 Chevy cheyene 350 small block and I upgraded my intake M.(edelbrock) also upgraded to a carburetor .( 4 barrel edelbrock) I have headman headers and to straight pips with two 40 Siris edelbrock exhaus muffler. I want to put in a cam shaft? for more horsepower I want to be able to enjoy all the goodies I put in.what do u guys recommend I'm kinda on a short budget .

15 people found this helpful.
220

Hey guys My name is Jorge i need a lil help from u guys .. I have a 1988 chevy caprice I resently took my 305 out and put in a 1994 Chevy cheyene 350 small block and I upgraded my intake M. (edelbrock) also upgraded to a carburetor .( 4 barrel edelbrock) I have headman headers and to straight pips with two 40 Siris edelbrock exhaus muffler. I want to put in a cam shaft? for more horsepower I want to be able to enjoy all the goodies I put in.what do u guys recommend I'm kinda on a short budget . My email.

7 people found this helpful.
10

I've got a 86 350 punched 30 over wanting to use my 23° angel heads on it and I dont want to have to use a stall converter WHAT WOULD BE A GOOD CAM AND SIZE SHOULD I GET. WANTING IT FOR PULLING AND TO USE EVERY DAY AND SOME 4X4 FUN. BUT I DO WANT IT TO TALK A LITTLE

1 people found this helpful.

A lumpy cam is not the way to go for a engine that needs to produce a lot of low end torque.

1 people found this helpful.

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