438 build camshaft

[cudaj380]

I have the short block together and need to chose between
two cams. Here is the back ground 383 with a cut down 440
crank, ly rods with 990 bushings and JE pistons with 13cc dish.
The car is a 67 bcuda weight is 3467# and has 26" mt tires with
3.55 gears. I have two cams already a Hughes he2328 223/228
@ .050 duration with a lift of .506/.524 and a Com xe274 230/236 duration
at .050 with a lift of .488/.491. The measured compression with 452
heads at 87cc is 9.05-1, also the heads have a 3 angle valve job
with back cut valves and are bowl ported. The convertor stall will depend
on which cam I use so will not be a factor. The car will be street/strip
50/50.
Which Cam would you pick or are you already using one of the cams.
Thanks everyone

 

[fishy68]

The bigger one (XE274) would be the smallest I'd consider. Big cubes need duration. With 438 cubes and a XE274 you won't even need much stall. 2500 will probably be enough.

I used a XE274 cam in my 360 at first and it was pretty torquey and pulled hard to 6000 rpm. In your 438 I wouldn't expect it to pull much past 5,200~5.400 rpm. Just not enough duration. Haven't used a Hughes cam but I'm getting ready too as I have one to go in a 408 I'm building.

 

[Babyblue66]

I'd also use the one with more duration. The Hughes would be super torquey, but not that much rpm. I have the Hughes 2832 ( 228/ 232 @50) in my 66 coronet with 3.23 gears and a stock 383 converter and its just right. I could have gone with a size bigger cam, it has tons of low end torque and response as is.

 

[dusterdon]

I'm going with a comp XE 285 hl in my new 383. That would probably be a nice street cam for you. around 240 at ..050 and .545 lift.

 

[moper]

I think, for what you have, the Comp is fine. I think the higher lift will benefit your heads. You have a factory 3.75 stroke... basically a 426 wedge, with a very low compression. If you had another point of compression, I'd go bigger. But with no static, it will feel sluggish.

 

[cudaj380]

Thanks for all the replys guys, here are two attachments
from two old Car Craft articles using the xe274 and xe275
cams in a bit bigger build then I have, interesting reads.
Moper I agree and was concerned with the low compression
and did not want to over cam and lose the bottom end.
I am going to go ahead with the comp cam, hum where did
I put that degree wheel.

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/116_0111_535hp_440_engine/index.html
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/116_0205_mopar_440_update/index.html