How to pick a cam

If i had to give a quick way to be on track then it would be the 5 parts of any combination outside the cam choice.

1)compression
2)converter stall speed
3)gear ratio
4)weight
5)head flow numbers

All 5 things are very important and the only rule is never go past the weakest link.
As you chose your cam you will hit one of the 5 listed as the weakest link.
For example:You have a 360 in a dart with a four barrel.
You have a stock 1800 stall speed converter.
You have 3.55 gears.
You have 9.1 to 1 compression.
You have stock heads with stock valves.

The weakest link is the converters stall speed.

PICK A CAM ON THE WEAKEST LINKS MAXIMUM ABILITY.

You will have to use a cam that give good performance at the converters 1800 rpms stall speed.

If you installed a 3000 converter then what would be your next weakest link???

Would it be the compression/heads/gears??????
>>>>..This is where you have to start making a choice on the nature of your car and it's intended use.

The next choice for maximum performance would be the gears and tire size.

A well thought out stock engine with headers and a four barrel with a 3000 converter and 355 gears can use a pretty healthy cam and when given the gear to run wide open will beat a more powerful engine that was not given the correct gearing.

Installing a set of 4.10 to 4.88 gears is best.
What determines the gear is the tire size you would like to run.

This goes back and forth but always is held back by the weakest link.

THIS GOES FOR EVERY PART YOU CHOOSE FOR YOUR COMBINATION.

Just ask your self then......WHATS MY WEAKEST LINK??????????

I hope this helps ya....:burnout: