Has anyone used any of Comp Cams Xtreme Energy solid cams? I know that the hydraulic versions are very popular, but there seems to be very little info on their website: http://www.compcams.com/information/WhatsNew/Press/XTREME.PDF and I was wondering if anyone had any real-world experiences with these grinds. I'm particulary interested in the 282 or 290 and how they would compare to their 'standard' solid grinds.

My 350 currently runs a 280H but runs out of steam above 6000 rpm. I'm running 9.7 to 1 compression but could bump it up a bit with a thinner head-gasket. What compression would I need with either of these cams?

Thanks

69RR

I don't think it's the 280H cam laying down, but rather springs and pump-up!!!

That's one of the reasons why I like solids... pdq67

Thats why I want to go with a solid....more revs! I've got a bottom end thats safe to 7000 rpm so I'd like a cam thats got a range from about 2800 to 6500.

Any opinions on the XE solids as opposed to the magnum solids? What does desktop dyno say? (Its a 9.7 to 1, 355 SBC, 750 Vac sec, Performer RPM manifold, pocket ported Sportsman 2s) Like I said before, the compression could be upped to 10 to 1 quite easily.

Opinions please....

Thanks

69RR

I haven't used any of the extreme solid cams yet, but the lobes are clearly more agressive than the older Magnum grinds. IMO use the Magnum cam if your compression is on the high side and use the XS cam if your compression is on the low side.

I say this because when you compare advertised duration to .050 lift duration for each cam you can see for the same amount of advertised duration the extreme solids have much more duration at .050 lift (area under the curve). When you are calculating dynamic compression ratio to keep cylinder pressure in the "sweet spot" you use advertised duration, but IMO when you are trying to determine the RPM band of the engine .050 duration comes into play. So if compression is on the low side keep the advertised duration short and the .050 duration as long as you can get it so you have the right RPM band. On the other hand if your compression is high (like my engine) you want more advertised duration to bleed off cylinder pressure but need to keep .050 duration reasonable. This way the power band stays in a usuable RPM range --- so the less agressive lobes are the ticket for a higer compresison engine.

Hope that wasn't too confusing . . . the bottom line is I would use a head gasket that puts your quench as close to .035" - .045" as you can get it. Don't change head gaskets to change compression ratio, but rather change head gaskets to optimize quench height - and if compression goes up in the process, great. The Comp XS 282s is probably best for your application (10:1 compression), but I didn't see what heads you are running either. The XS290 would be too big --- you'd need more compression.

i run the XS282S in my 13:1 377, on the chassis dyno it was just starting to drop off at about 6200 rpm. the cam card recommended .016" lash intake and exhaust. a very quiet solid, i would almost say if i didn't tell you it was a solid, you would not know by listening to it. i never received a printout from my dyno runs, but the max hp was around 390 rear wheel, this was with no tuning at all. i have sportsman 2 cyl heads and a vic. jr intake with the 1" extra rise and 1 3/4" headers and mighty deamon 750. i am considering stepping up to the xs290s if i pull out my 4 speed and put in an automatic. (4 speed won't hardly yank second gear above 6200 rpm)i have no experience with the magnums for comparison. David

.... and quench is .044" using a .039" headgasket and 9.005" deck heaight.