best 327 cam for under 5000rpm

JIM68 · Jan 28, 2002

These are the specs I have in the cam files(they have the same valve lift, but the timing specs are givin at different durations)

Performer

Speed-Pro

I have heard that Desktop Dyno doesn't like @ .050 lift numbers...

------------------
1968 Coupe, 327/210hp project in process.
PS/PB, Factory AC

[This message has been edited by JIM68 (edited 01-28-2002).]

[This message has been edited by JIM68 (edited 01-28-2002).]

elcamino72 · Jan 28, 2002

The Federal Mogul Speed Pro Cam (CS 1014) that I listed is the one we installed in my dad's 1968 Camaro. His car is orginally a 327/275hp car. It has the orignal intake, and Quadrajet carb. The carb needs a little work, but driving the car around (it's a 4spd car), the car really comes alive and starts to pull around 3200rpm all the way. We've never really gotten on it really hard, but it produces good power up low as well as down low. One reason for the discprepency on the two horsepower figures that we came up with might very well be becuase of the head file that I used. The head file I used was for a generic set of Vortecs that I believe was gotten from a test in Car Craft or Hot Rod Magazine. Also, the heads I used have 2.02 intake valves, I'm not sure what you are running. Also, while playing around with this cam, it seems that it really likes a low restriction exhuast system, such as headers and a good set of mufflers. My dad's 327 has orignal manifolds, dual 2" pipes and good turbo mufflers. A nice set of headers as well as a 2 1/4" exhaust system would really compliment his engine, but he just had this 2" system installed this past summer.

I don't know much about cams and not much about their specs, I'm just posting what worked for us and what seems to work when I play with Desktop Dyno. Good luck with your choice.

------------------
Bryan Shook
Favorite Quote - Some people have shrinks. Some people have their garage.
My Father's 1968 RS 327!
My First Generation Camaro site

427TRI · Jan 29, 2002

For such a low rpm range ( and yeah I agree that short strokers are meant to rev), I'd think if you didnt mind bad idle quality something like this would give you max punch. You might settle on a 108 lsa due to idle quality.
http://dab7.cranecams.com/SpecCard/DisplayCatalogCard.asp?PN=100172&B1=Display+Card

I dont know why I got a dang frown up there!

[This message has been edited by 427TRI (edited 01-29-2002).]

pdq67 · Jan 29, 2002

That cam is kinda like a CC 268H or the Crane little "Fire-Ball". pdq67

Granny's 69 · Jan 29, 2002

Hi all,

I saw the dyno runs for the XE256 with the 1.84/1.50 valves in the 210hp heads. It looks like the 1.84 valves made about 10 more HP and a little flatter torque curve.

I will call a local cylinder head rebuilder to see what the costs would be to install the 1.84 valves. I will pass along the cost of converting to 1.84" valves as soon as I can. Then I can evaluate whether it is worth the money to modify my stock 210hp heads or just pick up a set of re-buildable 1.94/1.5" heads or a set of Vortecs .

I am still interested in the XE256 cam and the Performer cam. Looks like they both make good power below 5000RPM.

Thanks once again to JIM68,Boodlefoof,PDQ67 & others for the Desktop Dyno runs and other technical info. for the 327 engine. You guys are great!

p.s. - how much does the desktop dyno program cost?

Best Regards,
Mark P.

------------------
69 Camaro Coup
Cortez Silver/drk blue in
327/210hp
Powerglide trans.
Ugly & skinny tires!

boodlefoof · Jan 29, 2002

the program wasn't more than $50 if I remember. When I bought mine it came with a free copy of "desktop dragstrip" as well.

pdq67 · Jan 29, 2002

You can even get a cam file to import about 1200 or so cams timing numbers into Dyno2000 if you want to.
I play with both D2k and Drag alot b/c they are a hoot to see how "trends" come about when changing components both in your engine and car. Hope you buy the complete set and have fun with them. pdq67

JIM68 · Jan 30, 2002

427TRI,
Here's Granny's setup with that Crane cam(plain)up against the Performer cam(Blue Markers). I did have to enter the crane with specs at .050", so like I said before Desktop Dyno doesn't always like those specs as compaired to seat to seat specs.

Granny's 69 · Jan 30, 2002

El Camino72,

Can you tell that your 327 engine has a performance cam in it by the idle or does it have a smooth idle?

It would be nice to have just a slight performance idle also. But if it is smooth,that's ok too.

Thanks,
Mark P.

427TRI · Jan 30, 2002

Boy, I'd thought the tight centers would help that cam more, still comes on earlier, but falls off earlier too ( tight centers). Tight LSAs work for a narrow power band.

Just curious, in all the recommendations, do you all try one with wide centers, like 114??

Granny's 69 · Jan 30, 2002

Hey Guys,

FYI
I just called the local cylinder head shop. The machinist said that the stock 210hp 327 head will take a 1.94" intake valve but it will require a fair amount of cutting to make it work. The price he quoted me was:

$200.00 for stock re-build (new hardened seats).

$325.00 for re-build with 8 - 1.94" intake valves & new hardened seats.I wonder about how reliable the 1.94" intake valve would be in the 210hp head since it requires a lot of modification.

For comparison, I can get a set of Vortec heads for $461.00 at a GM parts dealer.

Anyone care to make one more dyno run with the 210hp heads w/1.94" valves and the XE256 & Performer cams?

Thanks to all for thier patience and help.

Sincerely,
Mark P.

elcamino72 · Jan 30, 2002

Hi, the Camaro is running the same exhaust system I am on my El Camino. (Same manifolds, 2" pipes, same mufflers, the only difference is that my car is a little long and has a little more pipe.) The Camaro with the 327 and the Speed Pro cam sounds great. It doesn't has a great sound, you can tell it has a cam and that it has power, but it's nothing crazy and she'll hold an idle just about anywhere clean down to 650rpm and a little below. My El Camino on the other hand has the orignal cam (engine is a 350) and the Camaro sounds a lot better than it and the Camaro is also louder.

Let us know what cams you guys decide on and once they are in and broken in, how they work for you.

------------------
Bryan Shook
Favorite Quote - Some people have shrinks. Some people have their garage.
My Father's 1968 RS 327!
My First Generation Camaro site

JIM68 · Jan 30, 2002

I know I'm the guy that started this thread, but I've decide that I'm going with camelhumps and a highier rpm cam.

------------------
1968 Coupe, 327/210hp project in process.
PS/PB, Factory AC

JIM68 · Jan 30, 2002

Here's Granny's set up:
The bottom is stock 210hp, the rest are Granny's with increasing intake valve diameter.

[This message has been edited by JIM68 (edited 01-30-2002).]

Granny's 69 · Jan 31, 2002

Hi Jim68 & others,

I want to thank you for all the Dyno runs you posted for me. It has helped me sort out what I want to do with my 327 engine. I hope this thread has been helpful to others as well.

However, I just learned that my son is going to need braces soon and that's going to cost $$$$. Looks like the overhaul/upgrade will be delayed a little longer. At least I have a direction when the time comes.

In the mean time, I hope to swap out my Powerglide tranny for a TH350 with shift kit & maybe install a good set of headers.

everyone, please keep posting how your 327 projects are coming....

Take care,
Mark P.

------------------
69 Camaro Coup
Cortez Silver/drk blue in
327/210hp
Powerglide trans.
Ugly & skinny tires!

RickB1B · Jan 31, 2002

It's been interesting following this post. For the record I have a 327 with a Crane dual pattern 266 cam. According to DD it makes 356 hp with stock ported heads and 2.02, 1.6 valves.

BTW PDQ where do you get the files to inport to DD.

JIM68 · Jan 31, 2002

RickB1B,

What are the specs of your camaro? trans? gears? heads? what rpm do you usually take her to? idle quality?
I keep hearing that we should build a 327 to see high rpms, but i keep running test and they always max out around 5000 or so. I need to keep this looking like a stock 327/275 with the stock exaust manifolds. I was gonna build off a 210hp engine, but i recently ran into some nice stock 275hp heads, so I'm definitly upgrading to them. I'll change the cam, but it seems pointless to go insane, like 3Dude's 294 duration Crane cam @ .525 lift, unless you open up with headers and new ignition and everything that needs to be added. I really like the look of vintage exaust manifolds with camelhumps and the intake where the oil filler tube sticks out:

See my camaro has stock A/C like this one, so I'm keeping her looking like she might have rolled off the assembly like... I love the true look.

I guess I might as well put down what I'm doing:
It'll be a weekend cruiser for driving and some car shows, 327/275hp look-a-like made from a stock 210hp(changing 210np heads and intake to 275hp versions), m-20 trans, switched from a powerglide on the column. Factory AC, powersteering, power brakes(drums in back), 10-bolt rear with 3.08 or 3.55 gears, it'll never see a race track, nice paint job like this one:

and a engine bay lookin like the one pictured above.
Any input on what gears I should run are welcome. My cam will most likely be between Crane 266, Comp 256, or one of the other 256-266 duration variations available. They are probably all the same... This is crazy, should i go single pattern/dual pattern?, 110 degree, 112, or 114? The questions never stop! At least I know what heads, intake manifold, and exaust manifolds I'm using. I guess the key is to keep eliminating parts and eventually you will have a whole engine to build.

------------------
1968 Coupe, 327/210hp project in process.
PS/PB, Factory AC

[This message has been edited by JIM68 (edited 01-31-2002).]

[This message has been edited by JIM68 (edited 01-31-2002).]

[This message has been edited by JIM68 (edited 01-31-2002).]

pdq67 · Jan 31, 2002

Rick,

I have more cat's w/ cam literature then you can shake stick!!

One of the guy's was good enough to e-mail me two cam files but I don't know how to use them and have been too lazy to turn them into a word document so that I can just input the info by hand. I need ta get me a copy of Decktop's cam file so I can do it the easy way.

Some of my cats are ancient and have info on cams that aren't made now such as an Isky RPM-300. I had one years and years ago. pdq67

RickB1B · Feb 1, 2002

Jim here's my setup. I wanted the stock look so I got some GM ported heads with 2.02, 1.6 valves. If I had it to do again I would get some vortecs or have my cammel humps worked up, to keep the stock look. Then added a performer intake, painted it orange and drilled a hole for the oil tube. Then added Hooker Jethot coated headers with the Americam Thunder 2.5 in exhaust. Trans is a TH 350 with 8.5 posi 3.42 Richmond gears. The cam is a Crane 266 .44 and .454 lift, 210 and 216 duration.

When I was debating between cams I narrowed it down to something between 260 and 268. 260 gives more low torque and 268 gives more top end hp. I went with a 266, something in between.

My car is a perfect dayly driver but I would like to have a little more low torque.

Granny's 69 · Feb 1, 2002

Hey RickB1B,

Sounds like you've got a nice setup. Can you tell by the idle that you have a performance cam? Also,what kind of RPM's do you tach at 60MPH in highway cruising with the 3.42 gear?

BTW, can you keep up with most of the late model Mustang 5.0's & Hondas?

Mark P.

------------------
69 Camaro Coup
Cortez Silver/drk blue in
327/210hp
Powerglide trans.
Ugly & skinny tires!

[This message has been edited by Granny's 69 (edited 02-01-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Granny's 69 (edited 02-01-2002).]

best 327 cam for under 5000rpm

JIM68

elcamino72

427TRI

pdq67

Granny's 69

boodlefoof

pdq67

JIM68

Granny's 69

427TRI

Granny's 69

elcamino72

JIM68

JIM68

Granny's 69

RickB1B

JIM68

pdq67

RickB1B

Granny's 69

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