question about cams

landon1 · Post by **landon1** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 6:37 pm

what is the largest cam i can run without changing my torque converter (don't know if i really wanna do that)? my heads are good for up to .509", but that seems pretty big to me.
thanks
landon

1bluegtx · Post by **1bluegtx** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 11:11 pm

boy it has a lot more to do with your engine set up than just a torque convertor.What compression are you running,the bigger the cam the more compression is needed because the long duration bleeds off cylinder pressure.also what headers,intake,carbs,rear end gears?To work good they all have to work together.Oh yeah with the longer duration cams you also have to watch out for piston to valve clearance,notched pistons might be required with the 509 cam.
Did i scare you yet?

BRIAN

landon1 · Post by **landon1** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 11:22 pm

yeah...i know it's a big deal, but so many people just plop a cam in i was wondering what it was really all about. the biggest concern anyone complains about is the stall converter...i need to do a compression test, but it's a basically stock 69 motor....have hedman headers, holley carb (pry should go bigger, but the 600 on it that has been on it since i got it moves it pretty fast, surprisingly) i wasn't sure what size to go, all i know is that the springs my heads were ordered with are good to 509...basically just looking for a little power (don't expect much, but mainly just a different idle)

...so basically i need to find out more info on my drivetrain first...

mopar71 · Post by **mopar71** » Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:16 pm

I went with the mopar performance,purple shaft 484 lift in mine with no problems.I think it was a 286 duration,I have to check the specs sheet.

road chicken · Post by **road chicken** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 6:12 pm

mopar71 wrote:I went with the mopar performance,purple shaft 484 lift in mine with no problems.I think it was a 286 duration,I have to check the specs sheet.

284 duration ( or 241 at .050 if you like)

Good cam if your running at least 9.2:1 compression. It was really designed for 10:1 or better. It also depends on what CID you have. A 484 cam in a 383 is like a 509 cam in a 440. As others pointed out, it is only part of a system. If your running a 11" converter with 355/ 323 gears you'll get better driveability with a 474 cam.

mopar71 · Post by **mopar71** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 4:07 pm

I have a 4 speed,dont know if i should run headers since I had so many problems with them in the past.