How big of a cam can I put in a stock 350?

COMP Cams CL12-600-4 is the biggest cam for stock 350 and plays its role as the topper since 1976. This Chevy cam increases horsepower along with torque performance.

What is the cam lift on a stock 350?

The Chevy 350 has a hydraulic camshaft and hydraulic lifters. The intake and exhaust valves have a duration of 218 seconds a 0.5 rpm each. Both have a valve lift of 0.457 inches and a total duration of 268 seconds.

What is the best cam for a 350 Vortec?

A list of best camshafts for your 350 engine with a Vortec head are mentioned below;

1. COMP Cams 12-602-4 Big Mutha’ Thumpr.
2. Edelbrock 2102 Performer-Plus Camshaft.
3. COMP Cams CL12-600-4 Hydraulic Flat Cam.
4. Comp Cams Hydraulic Roller Cam K-Kit.
5. Lunati Bare Bones Hydraulic Flat Cam.
6. Melling Camshaft Hydraulic Flat Tappet.

Can I run a cam with stock converter?

Yes it is ok. You may lose some performance, but nothing will be hurt. The primary reason for a higher stall convertor is to get the engine rpm’s into the optimal power range of th engine quickly.

Whats considered a mild cam?

A mild cam is primarily strip but might see some street action. A “weenie” cam is suitable for the street but some would consider it on the edge.

What cam should I put in my 5.7 Vortec?

Flat tappet hydraulic cam works GREAT in a Vortec engine. For a budget performance build I actually prefer the flat tappet cams. Flat tappet cams squeeze more duration under less lift, meaning more HP without having to modify the heads.

Do you need a stall converter with a cam?

Most street performance cars running your typical “performance” cam should be running a stall converter in the 2,800 – 3,000 RPM area. The basic rule of thumb is; if your engine “comes alive” at say, 3,500 RPM, then you want a stall converter with about 3,500 of stall to it.

What happens with a big cam and stock converter?

The problem comes in when big cams are matched with a stock converter. The stock converter tends to load the engine harder and since the idle quality is already suffering from low idle vacuum, the engine struggles against the converter, lowering the idle vacuum.

How much HP can a 350 block handle?

With a stock block, using after market crank, rods, pistons, bolts, heads, etc., you could expect a small block 350 to make upwards of 450 HP and for it to reliably handle upwards of 550 – 600 HP, and a big block with the same aftermarket components to make power in the 500 to 600 HP area, and be able to handle upwards …

Does adding a cam increase horsepower?

Performance cams increase the duration and timing of the valve openings during the engine stroke, increasing horsepower and making your car accelerate more quickly. To install a new camshaft, you must expose the valve train by removing the valve cover and possibility the distributor.

What kind of camshaft does a 350 Chevy have?

This camshaft fits with 1st generation Chevy’s that include the 262, 265, 267, 283, 302, 305, 307, 350, and the 400. The only models it doesn’t fit is the LT1 and the LT4, or the small blocks models made from 1985 and beyond.

How does the length of a camshaft affect torque?

This will have all of the cam specifications on it, including cam lift and duration. Lift is the distance the valve travels to its maximum open position and is a key factor in torque production. Duration is the amount of time, measured in degrees of crankshaft rotation, that a camshaft holds a valve open.

What kind of camshaft do I need for a new car?

We’ll choose a camshaft with a .488-inch intake/.510-inch exhaust lift, 234-degree intake/244-degree exhaust duration at 50, and .112 separation. The operating range for this cam is 1,500-6,500 rpm, and it would be considered a mild cam or ‘a couple of steps over stock.’

What should the lift be on a MAX CAM?

Thus the poor flow characteristics over about .500. As for lift, you’ll have to measure to be sure, but stock it’s right around .460 – .470. Since they are still on the bench, it’s best to check to see how much lift they will take unmodified.

What kind of camshaft does a Chevy 350 have?

The Chevy 350 has a hydraulic camshaft and hydraulic lifters. The intake and exhaust valves have a duration of 218 seconds a 0.5 rpm each.

This will have all of the cam specifications on it, including cam lift and duration. Lift is the distance the valve travels to its maximum open position and is a key factor in torque production. Duration is the amount of time, measured in degrees of crankshaft rotation, that a camshaft holds a valve open.

Thus the poor flow characteristics over about .500. As for lift, you’ll have to measure to be sure, but stock it’s right around .460 – .470. Since they are still on the bench, it’s best to check to see how much lift they will take unmodified.

We’ll choose a camshaft with a .488-inch intake/.510-inch exhaust lift, 234-degree intake/244-degree exhaust duration at 50, and .112 separation. The operating range for this cam is 1,500-6,500 rpm, and it would be considered a mild cam or ‘a couple of steps over stock.’