no_radio

I am building a 383 for my '74 now that the 350 threw a rod. The bottom end will be Eagle 4340 forged crank and H-beam rods with SRP forged pistons and file fit rings. I have an RPM Air Gap intake, Hooker Super Comp 3/4" headers, full MSD system, and AFR 195 heads with Pro Magnum 1.6 rockers. My old combo was good for 8.11 in the 1/8 mile at 87.5 mph.
Comp recommended the XE274 cam. This looks pretty good on paper, but I want to hear from you guys that are running an XE274 or larger. I do drive the car on the street but not as a daily driver, mainly as a toy once or twice a month if I am lucky. The XE286 is attractive, but Comp said it wouldn't make the vacuum needed for headlights. I want to get as close to 500 HP as possible while still being somewhat streetable, and I don't really want to spend the $$$ to go roller.
Please post your combination, HP/torque numbers, ETs, and your opinion if you had it all to do over.
Thanks!
Jeff

jetlag

I have the 274 and really like it. My engine specs are in my signature, not sure of my dyno numbers, but the person who owned and built the engine before me said it is around 400hp. I'm going to dyno and take it to the track soon to get real numbers.

Sorry, not much help, can't compare it to the 286. If you are worried about the 286 not making enough vacuum for the headlights, you could always convert them to electric.

The Money Pit

My headlights haven't worked in so long I can't remember what my car looks like with them down.I run the XE-284 with 1.60's and the idle shakes the car in the 406.Sometimes the power brakes aren't so powerful,but work fine most of the time.(Got in the habit of testing them prior to actually needing them to avoid surprizes.)In a 383 the XE-274 may suite better if you're not sure how radical you want to go.I'm the bottom of the list kind of cam guy,so lumpy is fine.I am toying with a 294S next go around,but with only 5 degrees average duration gain over what I currently run I'm not going to change till it needs it. :yesnod:

Never had this on the track but my Dragrace program puts this in the mid 11's running full exhaust and street tires,7.5's in the 1/8th.I can attest to that just pulling out on the highway with a little throttle. :D

EDDIEJ82

I'm running the same setup except I have trick flow heads.

The XE 274 is an excellent cam in my opinion for this setup. I'm also running a 2800 stall in my 700 r4. The cam has very good street manners when driving it normally and when I load the drive train to 1500 and launch, It's like a rocket, and pulls EXTREMLY hard to 6000 (where my rev limiter is set). Without stickies on it, it is impossible to control the power band, the street tires just go up in smoke and the rear gets very squierly.

I would recommend it. It makes me :D

C3w4sp

Running XR 276 HR in a late model block, less expensive roller lifter config and one piece rear main seal. Plenty of vacume, no prob with headlight doors. Idels around 650 rpm with a mild lope. Sounds awsome, tire destroying torque, roller profile helps with street manners and power.

no_radio

A roller setup would be nice, but I wasn't really planning to have to build a whole new short block, so the budget isn't really there for the roller conversion.
Jeff

PatG

I just put the XE274 in my '79 and I like it. If you want to check it out you know how to get a hold of me from the local forum.

1LE

Had the 274 in one of my old Camaro's. Very good cam, Also ran a B&M 2000 Holeshot converter with it.

Vetterodder

I've been running the 274 (with 1.5 rockers) in my 327 for about three years now and it works great. Good power right from idle. With 3.36's I can climb hills as low as 1500 rpm in 4th gear. In my 327 it seems to peak at about 5800 but continues to pull hard until about 6200. In a 383 it should make for a real torque monster and peak at a lower rpm.

BTW, with standard rings I was getting about 10.5" of vacuum at an 850 rpm idle. With TotalSeal gapless rings vacuum increased to 13".


[Modified by Vetterodder, 2:38 PM 4/20/2004]

thevetterisbetter

I have a 388, AFR 190 heads, Pro-Magnum 1.6 rockers, 268 cam, Dynomax 1 5/8" headers, Edelbrock RPM Performer. It dynoed at 5200 RPMs 420 hp & 424 lb-ft of tq. at the flywheel. If I were to do it all over again, I would go with the roller cam-274. I have plenty of vacuum though to lift the headlights. It goes like stink. No one even tries to race me. The sound of it scares everyone away. I still have some timing issues and rich carb problems, even so, it's fast. Good luck, you will have fun when it's done.


[Modified by thevetterisbetter, 5:37 PM 4/21/2004] :lol: :lol:


[Modified by thevetterisbetter, 5:45 PM 4/21/2004]