HOW TO: EASY & CHEAP SBC CAM UPGRADE-DO THEY WORK?

DUAL 350 SBC FLAT-TAPPET CAM TEST, HOW MUCH POWER? 2 MOTORS, SAME CAM-DIFFERENT GAINS, BUT WHY? CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO WERE I TESTED THE SAME COMP XE268H (HYDRAULIC FLAT-TAPPET) CAM ON TWO DIFFERENT 350 SMALL BLOCK TEST MOTORS. TEST MOTOR 1 WAS A JUNKYARD VORTEC 350, TEST MOTOR 2 WAS A REBUILT, 4-BOLT 350 WITH FORGED INTERNALS AND ALUM HEADS. WE RAN THE SAME TWO CAMS, STOCK VS COMP XE268H,
ON BOTH COMBINATIONS, WITH DIFFERENT RESULTS-HERE'S WHY!!

[vinceyoung]

Shows the old sbc is still relevant and the best bang for the buck engine

[warrenstephens]

Killer combo, over 400 ft lbs from 2700 to 5500 rpm. Magic on the street in the right car. Thumbs up!

[shadvan]

my two favorite Comp Cam flat tappet for street use is the XM720H is basically the marine version of the XE268 but with a wider lobe separation. - its .226 intake @ .050 and .236 exhaust @.050. and its on 112 degree lobe sep. it idles like a stock engine and pulls like a freight train to over 5500rpm. I also like the cam that is one step hotter. the XM278H. its .234 intake at .050 and .244 exhaust @ .050 and a 112 lob sep. there is a little more horsepower (5-10 hp) in the 110 degree lobe separation, but they 112 degree lobe separation is much better mannered on the street and has more vacuumed of power breaks. if you like drag racing. Lunati makes a the DV266 and DV274 in both 106 and 108 degree lob separations. they have that race cam crackle, and make more power than the similar comp grinds, but have less vacuum due to the decrease in lobe separation. if i remember correctly the comp cams eXtreem Energy (XE) and eXtreem Marine (XM) lines were designed by Harold from UltraDyne Cams. he did work on both Comp Extream Series and Lunati Voodoo series cams.. If I remember correctly the David Visard cams from Lunati are built on his work but with tighter lobe separations.

[dannytravis]

I built a 351 Windsor years ago and the machinist taught me a really valuable lesson. which is 1 start with a plan. know what it is you're going to use the engine for and desired power goals and the hard parts you intend to use. example stock heads, block, crank. from there plan bottom end. rods, pistons, oil pump etc. then the heads. match the cam, compression ratio, intake and carb to what the heads will use the best. and you'll end up with a good combination that complements each part that works together. I think you know what I'm getting at. too big carb or intake with a tiny cam, or big whopping cam and small runner intake with stock heads and springs. just will be dismal at best if it don't tear itself apart. thank you for your time and effort I really appreciate it greatly

[pizzandoughnutspage]

We’ve got this cam in our 383 car hauler truck, it makes pretty good power but more importantly it makes great torque for hauling a 6, 000+ lbs. fully loaded trailer. We’re upgrading to RHS Pro Action 200cc heads with 72cc chambers. Thanks for the vid Rich.

[YouGrowIGrow]

I just copied (hope you don’t mind) your mild combo on my 383 which is in 51 Chevy truck. Got the upgraded 200cc heads from ProMaxx, demon 625 carb, 268 cam, and the dual plane intake from Edlebrock. So so so happy with the results. Everyone who hears the truck or drives it is so impressed. Thank you for your help!!

[azmadmonk]

As usual, I continue to learn tons. Thanks again for being you and for doing what ya do.

[democratsaretheDEVIL]

I had a sbc 400 with, 882 heads, 268 cam performer intake and 750 carb in a blazer the torque was awesome. Still the best engine ever made.

[drivinwithdrew]

This is great because one thing this test shows is gains from a little more more compression and a better head on a stock cam 350-355. 400 tq at 2500 rpm with a stock cam 355 is stout. I’ve been wanting to see the same test on a 5.3. Excellent video man

[darylmathis]

I installed flat tappet XE262 in a small block 350 w/Vortech heads, stock springs & Airgap dual-plane intake manifold in my old work truck

[davenkaren]

Sir, are you noticing or having any kind of lifter failures on the flat tappet hydraulic lifters? I’m building an early 2 piece rear seal 350 with stock dished pistons, .040 over and going to put Vortec heads and a Elgin 292 flat tappet cam…… the cam came with Elgin lifters, but after reading/ hearing SO many horror stories lately, I drooped the dimes for Chevy performance parts stock flat tappet hydraulic lifters, with the lower hardened section out of fear- but am I over reacting? I just can’t beat the thought of KILLING my engine and suffering the total loss! My budget isn’t unlimited! I look to you, to offer your insight and latest experiences on the new flat tappet failures……
As always, THANK YOU!!!!
Your teachings are more valuable than you could ever imagine to us “hobbiest” engine nuts!!!

[evanhooper]

This is great because I have a stock L31 Vortec 350 I swapped in my Trans Am. Basically same set up, good dual plane and headers. The cam I plan to get is a little bigger than the aftermarket cam in this video so I'm happy that I'll get over 350hp when I swap out the stock cam.

[dustinandtarynwolfe]

This information is almost all relevant to the combination I've been building. Thumbs up ! Thanks Richard.

[joejackson]

Very easy to understand video. Well laid out, direct to the point. Kudos Richard.

[albertgaspar]

like picking out a torque converter and not realizing displacement etc has an affect on stall speed. Reminds me in the 1990's Competition Cams (I think) advertised their roller rocker arms made 15 hp...then you followed the asterick and they admitted they did a cam swap as well.

[dustinjackson]

So it's kinda like displacement and big cams. The same cams make bigger gains on bigger engines. Makes sense!

[turrzgb]

Yeah I want to upgrade my engine now 😁
Thank you

[bryaninwood]

Hello from Australia again Richard, The second combo is nearly the same except i have E STREET heads i always thought it was around the 400hp mark i"ve got it in a pontiac parisienne that;s 2 tons it does go pretty good but not as good as it would with the cadillac 500 lol keep up the good work

[rustywater]

A set of freevalve heads would really be a dyno guys' dream.
Change cam with the push of a button.
Throttle control by valve lift.

[dave]

Great topic, sort fits my idea of a simple build to my L-48, head change to a 64 cc, now to decide what size for my street “curvy” road use. Already have a performer intake. Cam change may come later, if stage one isn’t enough to satisfy my aged body !!