Choosing the right cam for your vehicle can increase horsepower significantly. A high-performance cam will add more torque and power to the engine. It should be sticky, with a small amount of retardation, and a good cam will increase power by about 20%. A stock cam will give you about 250 hp, while a high-performance cam will increase horsepower by as much as 35.
Performance cams will increase the HP of a stock 350. They will increase acceleration, but they are not a good idea for lower speeds. Higher torque is necessary for starting and stopping heavy loads. A performance cam will boost your torque by approximately 20% or more, but it will hurt your fuel economy. Nevertheless, if you’re interested in boosting horsepower, a performance cam is worth the cost.
In the case of a standard 350 engine, you can expect a boost of around 400 to 500 horsepower. Bigger blocks, though, can handle up to 1200 horsepower. While a typical 350 engine can handle seven pounds of pressure, a forged-piston engine is capable of handling higher pressure. A good blower can increase boost by 40 to 50 pounds per square inch, allowing you to get 400 to 500 hp.
How Do I Choose a Camshaft For My Chevy 350?
When looking to replace the camshaft in your Chevy 350, it is important to consider several factors. The camshaft must have the proper torque to operate properly and ensure strict timing. Torque values range from 20 to 45 foot pounds. Camshafts should be replaced with caution because they will have a significant effect on the performance of your vehicle. Camshafts can damage your engine if you make too many radical changes.
To determine which camshaft is right for your engine, you need to first determine the rpm range of your car. The rpm range is the range where your engine performs best. Then, match the rpm range to the camshaft you want. It is important to consider the size of the cam lobes and the purpose for which it will be used. Lastly, pay attention to the camshaft’s lift and duration. Lift and duration are measures of the distance the valve lifts off its seat.
When choosing a camshaft, remember that performance cams tend to have more horsepower than stock ones. While they can give you higher horsepower, they can also decrease fuel economy. A performance cam is not for every Stock 350 owner, as its higher horsepower and torque can hurt on-road performance and fuel economy. A performance cam will also cause the cam to rumble too loudly, attracting the attention of authorities.
What Does an Oversized Cam Do?
The most common mistake engine builders make is overcambering the engine. The consequences of overcambering include too much valve lift, too much duration, and too much valve overlap. Though everybody loves big numbers, the resulting engine is underperforming. A smaller cam is usually the best choice. Using an oversized cam is not necessary for racers. For street driving purposes, stick with the milder cams.
While it’s possible to make your car faster, a bigger cam will make your engine run like a turd. Oversized cams are also difficult to maneuver, especially when your engine is running below 4,000 RPM. Moreover, they’re prone to wear out your valvetrain much faster. This is because bigger cams are harder on valves, valve guides, and springs. This is a common misconception among enthusiasts.
In reality, it doesn’t matter if your valves are a different size, as their lengths are the same. Oversized cams are usually wider than stock. That means they can boost peak power, but not low end power. But what about low-end power? It’s not really necessary if your cam has a long duration, either. You can add a short duration if you don’t need to, but it’s not always a good idea.
What is the Best Camshaft?
A performance camshaft will increase horsepower on a stock 350. While they increase acceleration, the disadvantage is that they will detract from lower-speed performance. You’ll need a higher amount of torque to pull heavy loads. That’s when you should go with a performance camshaft. However, a performance cam is worth the price, because it will make your car perform better on the street.
A quick cam change is the most popular way to increase horsepower and torque. This type of cam changes the valves without affecting the seals. This type of cam is designed to increase mid-range performance and torque. You should only change the camshaft if it is not the correct size. The converter plays a crucial role in performance. While performance camshafts are more expensive, they can work on a heavy-duty engine with high-performance parts.
COMP Camshafts are another popular choice. This company started in 1976, and it has a solid foundation and has a track record of developing excellent automotive parts. Their 54-470-11 LSR Rectangular Port 235/251 Hydraulic Roller camshaft offers excellent lobe separation and good valve lift. And it can be used on regular Chevys as well. The best camshaft for a 350 Chevy will add significant HP and torque to your vehicle.
How Much Horsepower Does a Thumpr Cam Add?
The Thumpr Cam makes a difference in the power and torque of your engine, opening up a new range of torque and horsepower. With its longer duration, the cam generates power from low to high RPM, and it reduces peak power without sacrificing torque. This cam will also reduce emissions while smoothing the running of your engine at low and mid-range RPMs.
The COMP Cams CL12-600-4 is the biggest stock-equipped cam that will add horsepower. It is the largest cam on the market and has been reliable in increasing performance since 1976. When you install the COMP Cams CL12-600-4, your 350 small block will experience dramatic changes in horsepower and torque. This camshaft kit is a great choice for replacing worn parts. The COMP CL Thumpr is designed to be used with a stock converter, but the COMP CL Thumpr is compatible with aftermarket converters and vehicles with more rear-gear.
A Thumpr Cam increases the horsepower of the stock 350 engine, but it is not an upgrade for a supercharger. It will increase acceleration and torque by up to 10 horsepower, but you should consider the timing and other parts of the engine before installing one. This will maximize horsepower while minimizing torque at lower RPMs. While it is not recommended for supercharged engines, it can increase horsepower and torque.
What is a Stage 3 Cam?
What is a Stage 3 Cam? This cam is designed to work with larger valves, port work, and an upgraded EFI or carburetor. These modifications will shift the power band higher in the RPM range. It is the largest cam available for street applications, but it is also the most common for race engines. While Stage 3 cams may require custom tuning, they are not overly radical. Stage 3 cams may need to be tuned to fit the particular vehicle.
Stage 3 grind camshafts are popular choices for deleting DOD and adding pep to trucks. These camshafts are aggressive in profiles and deliver substantial power increases over stock cams. They work well in big bore motors and Supermoto builds. Whether your truck is manual or automatic, a Stage 3 cam is sure to improve your performance. You can choose from the following types of Stage 3 cams:
How Do I Know What Cam to Buy?
Aftermarket cams are not designed for every stock 350 owner. While a larger cam will not hurt a racer’s car, it can reduce fuel economy and performance. The rumbling sound can catch the attention of authorities. Likewise, performance cams are not designed for the everyday driver. The cams should have the proper valve lifts to avoid locking the valves. There are several things to consider before installing a new cam on your 350.
The first thing to remember when buying a new cam is the rpm range that the car’s engine uses. A good cam will work well in its rpm range and not produce big numbers. A bad cam will not win a race. So, what is the right cam for my car? And how do I choose it? Here are some tips. You can find a list of common cam specs and get some advice from an expert.
When it comes to horsepower, bigger cams are a must. A bigger cam will result in more horsepower, but will sacrifice lower speed performance. If you plan to increase the speed, a bigger cam will give you more torque. Besides the lift, the duration will determine the amount of torque that your engine can produce. If you’re going to be driving a heavy load, a bigger cam will give you better acceleration.
What is Considered a Mild Cam?
What is considered a mild cam? Generally, it’s a cam that will pass California emissions standards, but that’s not the end of its usefulness. If you’re looking for a daily driver, a mild cam is likely the best choice for your engine. However, this cam will require regular maintenance, including checking the springs and replacing any other worn parts. Here are the characteristics of a mild cam:
When it comes to the performance of a street cam, the LSA plays an important role. This measurement determines the overall cam’s performance. Cams with a wider LSA will typically have better low-end torque, but they will have a narrower operating range. This results in less vacuum and a choppy idle. Also, a cam with a higher LSA will produce better low-end torque, but at the cost of poor midrange torque.
