i have a '66 396 block thats been bored .030 over in my 68. I want to pull it this summer and try to find a power combination that will still let me drive the thing as a daily driver. I was looking at the comp cams xtreme energy 268 grind, but i think i would be better off if i went one step down to the 262 for gas mileage and torque purposes. What is your imput and experience on this matter? Also, would pump up lifters be of any help to me on my quest for better gas mileage and performance? What cam should i mate it too? I have a bazillion questions regarding engine an build up, as it is my first time to do it. Any help would really be appreciated. Thanks.

JOhn

if your in-doubt of which cam to go with, i can tell you that when i went to switch cams, i called comp cams up and they gave me very good info on which cam to go with. i running the 294 x-treme cam in my 396, or should i say, i'm still in the process of doing so. just give them a call, and they'll set you straight.
later,
bruce

Penguinjohn,

Big blocks and economy are kind of working against one another, wouldn't you say. Just kidding because thats why I'm building my big engine to be a "grunt" motor in the 2000 to 5500 rpm range.
Comp Cams once told me when I asked them about making a "tow truck" type torque engine to go with a 210/218 duration at .050" hydraulic cam. They said that this is the duration that approximates max torque production in a "low to medium" (8 to 9.5 to 1) compression ratio engine, again depending on size. You will trade rpm horsepower for low rpm torque thats usable in the street driving range. Also small tube headers, a dual plane intake and oval port heads work in this rpm range.

Take the last Posts advice and call Comp Cam up and be realistic with them in describing the intended use of your car.

It's taken me years to "get real" with how I want my engine to be. pdq67

Penguin, I forget who said this but I agree 100% "undercam it and go with the best heads you can afford"!! Unfortunatly BBC aftermarket heads are $$$$$. You did not mention what your price limit was so I thought I would throw that at you. CompCams are great and give excellent advice. BBC, daily use, 1st gen camaro .... oh yeah!!

bruce69, are you going to drive your car daily with a XE 294? I would love to ride with you to work!! http://www.camaros.net/forum/smile.gif http://www.camaros.net/forum/smile.gif http://www.camaros.net/forum/smile.gif http://www.camaros.net/forum/smile.gif Little too big for my daily but I'll bet you turn some heads and set off car alarms http://www.camaros.net/forum/smile.gif

Hey I just had a 396 built using the extreme enegry 268 Let you know in a few days about how it works. P.S. I used the closed chamber 100.9 cc oval port heads, stock size valves 9.5 to 9.6 trw's pistons & federal mogul racing bearing, holley cast iron intake & a 600 cfm Eldebrock carb Stock HEI ignition Been recurved to the engine likings & stock exhaust manifolds with 2 & 1/2 pipes & turbo mufflers. Can any one give me a horse power fiqure on this combo?

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johnny

Hey just got my car running last Saturday. The Comp 268 extreme energy cam sounds great & seems to make great power. Still working on the throttle linkage setup & have fiqured out the 600 edelbrock is way to small for this engine it needs at least a 780 cfm, but with 3:08 gears & m-20 muncie 4 speed it get's great gas mileage. Johnny

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johnny

One thing you don't hear about is that just doing a three angle valve job and a little pocket porting will make a cam act like it is hotter.
When you talk to the cam guy, make shure to ask him about that.

I think it could make a correct cam act like it's a step too hot.

With a back cut on the valves and pocket porting, you can get improved low lift flow that would make an otherwise nice cam a little rumpety. You can get backflow into the intake or intake flow out of the exhaust during overlap that blows down dynamic compression.

I ran a SB 350 with the smallest 1/4 mile circle track solid lifter cam Crower made. It was the best setup I have run. Power came on at 2500 and went to 7000! Torque was fantastic.

I built an identical engine for a friend only he wanted a step hotter cam. It was a dog compared to my engine.
As others have said here, good ports and conservitive cam works great.

David

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Check my web page for suspension info:
David's Homepage (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/David_Pozzi/)
67 RS 327
69 Camaro Vintage Racer
65 Lola T-70 Can Am Vintage Racer

[This message has been edited by davidpozzi (edited 07-15-2000).]

i've got the 280H in my 396, also bored 0.30 over.
stock 69 325/350 hp 396 heads with three angle valve job and a little porting.
this was what was in the car when i bought it.
biggest thing that hurts me is i still have stock exhausts, intake, and 750 cfm qjet (that really may help the mpg).
i was getting about 10 mpg and installed a small body hei from ignition man. mileage jumped to about 12 mpg. stll nothing to brag about.
if someone would sent me that tremec 5 speed, i think that would help out a lot. i've got 3.07 gears with a richmond t-10 4 speed.
the cam is ok, maybe a little too much if i was a dailey driver. idle's ok (have it set it a little high at about 900 rpm)and you do get the rump rump even without the headers (2 1/2" ss exhaust with flowmasters)

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To see a pic of my car, click here... pages.prodigy.net/mtbmtb/rf396ss.jpg (http://pages.prodigy.net/mtbmtb/rf396ss.jpg)



[This message has been edited by mike brown (edited 07-15-2000).]