Don Terrill’s Speed-Talk

I need a little advice as to if it would be worth changing my cam.

I have a comp cams XR294HR hydraulic roller in it, still on the engine stand.

Adv. Dur. Int/Exh 294/300

Dur. at .050″ Int/Exh 242/248

Valve Lift Int/Exh .540/.562

ICL installed at 106

LSA 110

I'm looking at a Straub semi custom hydraulic roller

Adv. Dur. Int/Exh 296/302

Dur. at .050″ Int/Exh 237/243

Valve Lift Int/Exh .548/.530

Center Lines Int/ Exh 104/112

LSA 108

My engine is a 385 sbc (.040" over)
proheader/assault/afr enforcer heads 2.02-1.6 valves
1.5 rockers
Comp cams 987 springs
10.5-1 compression
Port matched Victor Jr (felpro 1205)
Quench is @ .042"

This is going in a 85 Monte Carlo SS
3,000 stall
Th400
3.73 gears (may go to 4.11)
275/60-15 (may go 295/60-15)

Is it worth going to the Straub cam? I feel the slightly shorter duration and tighter lsa would probably make a better cam, but is it going to be worth the time, trouble and cost? Will the dynamic compression let it run on pump gas with the Straub cam? Straub advertises this cam for a 3.75" stroke and the proheader heads I have.

I'm sure I would be better off going complete custom, as It would probably be around the same price.

I wouldn't change it.

If you want a bullet cam save your money and buy from them instead of through him.

That cam you already have will be pretty tame but will make good power.

Id say run it and if you want an upgrade. Ask Camking. He actually designs the lobes and grinds them in house.

So bullet makes Straubs cams? I didn't know that. I thought he ground his own.

I am thinking of giving camking a try. I hope he chimes in on this.

It Will not make a big difference, and probably Will get you a higher Dynamic compression depending on you closing Valve timming

smokie wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 10:56 pm So bullet makes Straubs cams? I didn't know that. I thought he ground his own.

I am thinking of giving camking a try. I hope he chimes in on this.

Most “custom cam people” just put together lobes from someone else’s lobe catalogue.

golden_commando wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 11:48 pm It Will not make a big difference, and probably Will get you a higher Dynamic compression depending on you closing Valve timming

seat 294 - 106 ICL - IVC 73 ABDC

seat 296 - 104 ICL - IVC 72 ABDC

The Straub cam will have about 0.07:1 more dynamic CR

Stan

lance flake wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 11:55 pm

smokie wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 10:56 pm So bullet makes Straubs cams? I didn't know that. I thought he ground his own.

I am thinking of giving camking a try. I hope he chimes in on this.

Most “custom cam people” just put together lobes from someone else’s lobe catalogue.

And they double the price for their "expertise". Some sharp cats at Bullet, LSM, Howards, Erson, etc, never understood why people would buy a "custom" cam from an internet guru that doesn't design or grind cams and pay more than they would if they just called the actual cam company. I could name about 6 or 7 of them. Vs ordering something from Mike on here. Honestly, shame on Straub for even trying to sell you something.

smokie wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 10:56 pm So bullet makes Straubs cams? I didn't know that. I thought he ground his own.

He's never ground a cam in his life, not has he ever designed a cam.
He buys cams from Companies like Bullet, Comp Cams, and Clay Smith cams, and sells them at a huge mark-up.

smokie wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 9:36 pm I need a little advice as to if it would be worth changing my cam.

I have a comp cams XR294HR hydraulic roller in it, still on the engine stand.

That cam will make peak HP at 6,400-6,500rpm.
If that's where you want to make peak power, then run it.

Usually, with a 3,000 stall, I put peak HP at 6,000-6,200rpm.
For 6,200rpm, this is what I would recommend.
Cam#: SBC, HR73389-75375-110
235/240@.050"
.583"/.562" Valve Lift
110 LSA

Thanks Mike, can I ask why the 110 lsa verses a 106 or 108?

This started out being a cheap vortec headed 350 and turned into a little more. I started out buying stuff on the cheap, that's why I have that freak show 3k converter. It's nothing to brag about. I'm planning on getting whatever will work best for the setup I have when it's done. So whatever you think would be best CamKing. If it would be worth the power for the cost, I'm in.

If Straub's cam is semi-custom do you pay a semi price?.....

smokie wrote: ↑Sat Jan 21, 2023 9:36 pm I need a little advice as to if it would be worth changing my cam.

Very timely post smokie.
I'm in a similar situation with a not dissimilar build.

I do not think it is worth it to change the hyd roller cam you got for whats being suggested.
I would use 1.6:1 rockers on the intake valves your comp cam.
I would consider adjusting the cams installed position
+/- if you think it needs it.
(the only way to know is to actually test that)
I WOULD consider using a high rise dual plane intake.
VS the single plane vic jr.
This and tweeking the torque converter will make MUCH MORE difference in car performance.
I don't charge you a dime.
Its a free opinion based on some 50 years experience.

F-BIRD'88 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 12:41 am I do not think it is worth it to change the hyd roller cam you got for whats being suggested.
I would use 1.6:1 rockers on the intake valves your comp cam.
I would consider adjusting the cams installed position
+/- if you think it needs it.
(the only way to know is to actually test that)
I WOULD consider using a high rise dual plane intake.
VS the single plane vic jr.
This and tweeking the torque converter will make MUCH MORE difference in car performance.
I don't charge you a dime.
Its a free opinion based on some 50 years experience.

Holy shit, I almost completely agree with F-BIRD!!
Except the dual plane thing, that's a no from me, leave the Vic jnr.
1.6 intake rockers & looser converter & you'll be happy.

KnightEngines wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 1:35 am

F-BIRD'88 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 23, 2023 12:41 am I do not think it is worth it to change the hyd roller cam you got for whats being suggested.
I would use 1.6:1 rockers on the intake valves your comp cam.
I would consider adjusting the cams installed position
+/- if you think it needs it.
(the only way to know is to actually test that)
I WOULD consider using a high rise dual plane intake.
VS the single plane vic jr.
This and tweeking the torque converter will make MUCH MORE difference in car performance.
I don't charge you a dime.
Its a free opinion based on some 50 years experience.

Holy shit, I almost completely agree with F-BIRD!!
Except the dual plane thing, that's a no from me, leave the Vic jnr.
1.6 intake rockers & looser converter & you'll be happy.

Start calling you "Billy the kid".............nice write up in street machine mag..(my bible...lol)