wadey

If the 327/300hp vette used the same cam as the L-48 vette how did
it squeeze out that much hp when the L-48 can't get out of it's own way?
thanx wade

Alwyn678

Probably because of the Low Compression Heads

45ACP

+ a really, really restrictive exhaust system.

HWY 9 - Z06

i think the 300 hp was optimistic and measured at the flywheel, not at the rear wheels. i have that combination in my '69, and my wifes '64 nova has the 350hp cam, and the nova will stomp my vette in the 1/4. thats ok though, i'll be using the 350 hp cam when i swap motors in the spring.

battsup

what exactly is a 350hp cam, i know it says i have one in my sig but thats all the sales receipt that my dad got says.

virtue4u

I think I read somewhere on the forum years back that the gross hp for an L48 with dual exhaust is 270 hp. Someone with a desktop dyno may be able to verify that.

nunus79

270 hp was the gross rating for the lower compression engines ('71+). 300 hp was the gross rating for the higher compression ones.

The 350 hp cam usually means the old L79 327 cam. 222 deg duration, 114 LSA, .447" lift


[Modified by nunus79, 1:48 PM 12/11/2002]

45ACP

"350hp cam" could mean any one of several cams that Chevy put in Vettes that, when used in particular engine assemblies resulted in that output . . .
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/D...00/cmspec.html

Only if you can come up with a part number or take the time to measure it up will it be possible to ID your particular cam with certainty.

EDIT - I agree with nunus79, it DOES usually mean the old L79 327 cam. But did the guy that wrote the receipt know that?


[Modified by 45ACP, 6:59 PM 12/11/2002]

Schmucker

Is the 327/350hp cam a good one to use? My dad has a brand new (or atleast close to it) one with lifters and valvesprings left over from his drag racing days and I would like to put it in the motor I'll be building. I'm going to be using 1.6 roller rockers on the intake, 1.5 on the exhaust. ~10:1 with forged pistons, forged crank, some dual plane intake and maybe AFR 190 heads. Holley 650cfm SpreadBore (Q-jet knockoff). I just need 450 reliable horsepower and 12mpg :D

nunus79

I used it. It needs a high compression motor like the one you are building. I've been teased on the forum for using that "old tech" cam. Supposedly, newer cam grinds spread the powerband wider than the old tech grinds. So you may be cutting your buildup short by using an old tech grind.

oh yeah, it will be difficult to get 450 hp from that 350 hp cam.


[Modified by nunus79, 4:15 PM 12/11/2002]

Schmucker

I guess. My dad hasn't built a small block in atleast 15 years, but if he can get 550hp out of a 302 with iron heads and 20 year old technology and run 10s with it, I figure his suggestion to use that cam would be a good idea. Plus he said he has a nice idle lope to it but doesn't have the disadvantages of using a big cam in that you have no power off idle (that and the engine runs terribly). Honestly, as long as I can run anywhere in the 12 second range I'll be happy. I'm pretty sure I could do it with a mild 450hp.

The Money Pit

I ran the 350hp cam (Chevy"151"cam)in a 327 once and found it pulled nicely from 4000 to 5500rpms,but was not real strong off idle to 3000rpms. The lobe center of 114 degrees made for a smooth idle and decent power up top,but I agree that todays cams would be better overall.It took a BB Chevy to break 450 lbs of torque in days of old,yet todays hardware will produce 500+ lbs of torque from a 400 small block.

Smokehouse69

I have to agree with Money Pit, I had a 350hp cam in my old engine, it had very little before 4000 rpm. From 4000 to 5500 it pulled like a mother! The torque band on this cam is so small and so far up the rpm range, you couldn't get one in an automatic car.
I'd go with one of the more modern cams like the Comp XE262 or Crane 272H cam, if you want something with more power throughout the rpm range of the engine.
Crane still sells the 327/350hp cam under their Blueprint Series. I've heard that if you order the cam from GM (it's still available) you'll actually get a Crane Blueprint series cam.