I'm putting together a 396 for a '69 camaro and would like to get suggestions on a cam. It's pretty much a stock L78 config but with L89 aluminum heads. Here's the specifics:

- 396 +.061 (4.155 bore)
- "842" '69 L-89 Aluminum heads - Rect Port, 2.19 intake valves, 1.84 exhaust valves
- "163" Factory Aluminum Dual Plane Intake
- 780 Factory 4346 Holley
- 10.95 to 1 Speed-pro forged pistons (L2328F30)
- Stock manifolds to Flowmaster American Thunder exhaust via mandrel bent 2 1/2" pipes
- 4 speed
- 3.73 posi
- Power brakes
- RS vacuum headlights
- Mostly street usage
- 91 octane readily available, 92 available at Amoco

Currently I'm considering the Comp Cams Magnum 294 Solid Lifter cam. The specifics on it are:

Part Number 11-219-4

Valve Adjustment Int-0.022 Exh-0.022
Gross Valve Lift Int-0.595 Exh-0.595
Duration At 0.015 Tappet Lift Int-294 Exh-294

Valve Timing At 0.015
Intake Open-41 Close-73
Exhaust Open-81 Close-33

These Specs Are For The Cam Installed At 106 Intake CL
Duration At 0.05 Int-248 Exh-248
Lobe Lift Int-0.35 Exh-0.35
Lobe Separation 110

Using Pat's DCR calculator this puts it at approx 8.2 DCR.

I'm trying to keep the car looking as "factory" as possible under the hood and would like it to run on pump gas. With this cam though I'm concerned on the vacuum side to run the power brakes and RS headlights. I would like to "upgrade" from the original L78 cam though. Any thoughts on this combination or suggestions?

rpol78,could not find the specifics on my cam, but I got in from Comp Cams and the part number is 11 318 4. This is for a 396 to 454.Also put in TRW flat top pistons 10.5:1 I think. Had a friend redo the heads and have to say after just re - firing this engine, I had forgotten how radical it sounds. Oh, the block was bored .030 over. :D