Cams for 318's

[toolmanmike]

Do you think It would gain some (not a lot obviously) power with that one?

Sounds like I should be thinking more of adding a 4bbl than a cam, the thing is that my budget right now is like $200 for and upgrade and where I am there is no way I can get a 4bbl cast iron intake easily and cheap.

A 4 barrel is the next step in my opinion. A $200 budget won't get you too far. Recurving your distributor will gain you some performance. If you still have points it might be a good time to upgrade to a electronic system. Look for @halifaxhops posts. He's our resident expert.

 

[danielr410]

A 4 barrel is the next step in my opinion. A $200 budget won't get you too far. Recurving your distributor will gain you some performance. If you still have points it might be a good time to upgrade to a electronic system. Look for @halifaxhops posts. He's our resident expert.

Already have electronic ignition but I will look into recurving the distributor then.

So definitely there's no way I would gain some power by adding a cam right now?

 

[toolmanmike]

Already have electronic ignition but I will look into recurving the distributor then.

So definitely there's no way I would gain some power by adding a cam right now?

Oh you might. It would like a 4 barrel though. A 4 barrel and dual exhaust are the first 2 things to do to a 318.

 

[danielr410]

Oh you might. It would like a 4 barrel though. A 4 barrel and dual exhaust are the first 2 things to do to a 318 first.

Thanks, I guess I'll start looking to a bargain on a weiand 8007. I've read that's one of the best choices for a mild 318 build.

 

[toolmanmike]

Thanks, I guess I'll start looking to a bargain on a weiand 8007. I've read that's one of the best choices for a mild 318 build.

There's a few. LD4B Edelbrock is another good one. Kind of hard to find and around $200+. Search for 318 intakes here. Lots of threads about the subject. The threads will also fill you in on what brackets and adapters you may need. A 600 Edelbrock works well for a carb.

 

[danielr410]

There's a few. LD4B Edelbrock is another good one. Kind of hard to find and around $200+. Search for 318 intakes here. Lots of threads about the subject. The threads will also fill you in on what brackets and adapters you may need. A 600 Edelbrock works well for a carb.

Is the Ld4B good for stock 318 ports? I've read the Eddy Performer and the Weiand match those ports.

I need one below $200 so I'll look an used one on Ebay and have it shipped, It will cost me a few more dollars giving the weight.

BTW. Should we talk about that in this thread?

 

[toolmanmike]

Is the Ld4B good for stock 318 ports? I've read the Eddy Performer and the Weiand match those ports.

I need one below $200 so I'll look an used one on Ebay and have it shipped, It will cost me a few more dollars giving the weight.

BTW. Should we talk about that in this thread?

If you want to start a wanted thread you can or you can just hang around. 318 intakes come up for sale quite often.

 

[ir3333]

Stock 340 intakes are fine...but seem to be getting pricy

 

[danielr410]

I don't think a cast Iron intake is an option for me. It's very heavy and it costs $3 per pound have it shipped to my country.

Still thinking of getting the summit cam 6900 and see how it goes. Then wait a few months for a good price on a performer or weiand intake.

 

[ir3333]

Sorry didn't notice your shipping location.But if you could get one locally the extra 20 lbs. in the engine bay wouldn't make any performance difference

 

[danielr410]

Sorry didn't notice your shipping location.But if you could get one locally the extra 20 lbs. in the engine bay wouldn't make any performance difference

Really hard to find one of these since almost every 318 and 360 came with a 2 barrel here, and 340s are like a unicorn.

Still thinking if summit 1798 or 6901 cams will make me loose power. Don't want to spend money on 6900 and then realize I got a preety small one.

 

[toolmanmike]

Really hard to find one of these since almost every 318 and 360 came with a 2 barrel here, and 340s are like a unicorn.

Still thinking if summit 1798 or 6901 cams will make me loose power. Don't want to spend money on 6900 and then realize I got a preety small one.

Think of it this way, if you put too big of a cam in you don't have any other parts to make it work. I wouldn't go too big with a 2 barrel, stock torque converter, and unknown rear gears. It all has to work together. The intake and carb will work without the cam but the cam might not work well with the 2 barrel if it's too big.

 

[danielr410]

Think of it this way, if you put too big of a cam in you don't have any other parts to make it work. I wouldn't go too big with a 2 barrel, stock torque converter, and unknown rear gears. It all has to work together. The intake and carb will work without the cam but the cam might not work well with the 2 barrel if it's too big.

You are right, just trying to figure out what is too big for me. Like I said, dont mind if I only gain 2-3 hp, it will be ready for when I do the 4bbl upgrade and have a little fun meanwhile. Want to make the right purchase.

Is there anyone who has tried cam upgrades on 2 barrel engines?

 

[toolmanmike]

I don't know anyone in particular but I'm sure there is.

 

[Wyrmrider]

Lots of people including me have upgraded 2 bbl 318
stock low compression 318 stick with the stock cam and just do carb and manifold
either of those old cam dynamics cams will loose torque
360 cam is not a good fit either
do you have dual exhaust with not too big pipes or large single exhaust- one of the first moves
what toolmanmike says
really easy to overcam a 318 unless you are prepared to change gears, even then

 

[danielr410]

Lots of people including me have upgraded 2 bbl 318
stock low compression 318 stick with the stock cam and just do carb and manifold
either of those old cam dynamics cams will loose torque
360 cam is not a good fit either
do you have dual exhaust with not too big pipes or large single exhaust- one of the first moves
what toolmanmike says
really easy to overcam a 318 unless you are prepared to change gears, even then

I have dual exhaust with 2-1/4 pipes.

Some people I know told me a cam would increase power. Getting mixed signals.

 

[toolmanmike]

I have dual exhaust with 2-1/4 pipes.

Some people I know told me a cam would increase power. Getting mixed signals.

It will with other parts to go along with it to make it work well. It will produce more power but at a higher rpm and taking power and torque away from idle to 2500 or so. That's where you spend a lot of time when you drive on the street.

 

[ir3333]

i know a stock 340 that ran hard with a 2 barrel intake..but it had a 500 cfm holley 2 barrel carb.
a comp xe-250 might be a good fit at 204/214 and 429/444 lift for when you go 4 barrel
or stock 360 2 barrel cam at around .390 and .410 lift for the 2 barrel?

 

[danielr410]

i know a stock 340 that ran hard with a 2 barrel intake..but it had a 500 cfm holley 2 barrel carb.
a comp xe-250 might be a good fit at 204/214 and 429/444 lift for when you go 4 barrel
or stock 360 2 barrel cam at around .390 and .410 lift for the 2 barrel?

Summit 6900 is almost the same as the comp xe250.

 

[ir3333]

Xe 250 may have more modern or faster ramps?
Maybe comp. make Summit cams too?

 

[toolmanmike]

Xe 250 may have more modern or faster ramps?
Maybe comp. make Summit cams too?

I think Crane makes Summit cams. Watch your self on the fast ramp cams. Lots of lifter noise CD and issues.

 

[ir3333]

Yes...i have used the xe268 and there was some valvetrain noise.It bothered me at first but i grew to like it. Very strong from midrange up.
Miss that Duster.

 

[Wyrmrider]

you can get more power with a cam
but if you want the same rpm range then you need to keep the effective duration near stock
doing manifold and small 4bbl-
I recommend an AVS gives you more power without having to change converter and gears which is what you have to do if you start closing the intake valve too late
Air Valve Secondary will not open more than you engine can use
Other and IMHO better choice with maybe a little more learning curve is a 318 Mopar Thermoquad

Back to cam
stock cams tend to be lazy and close the intake and exhaust late when looking at when they actually close
the 360 cam is worse and the 340 HP cam is way wrong- lots of threads here from those that have tried it It wants high compression and higher revs even in a 340 or 360
The summit cams are old cam dynamics grinds now ground by Crane (and several others)
post up your compression and the rest of your details in ONE POST and let AJ/formS take a look at them
custom cam and solid lifters solves lots of problems
IMHO best off the shelf cam would be the smallest Lunati Voodoo
no other suggestions till I see compression gears body etc
I take it no headers- that makes a difference
was it you that was thinking of changingheads?

 

[danielr410]

you can get more power with a cam
but if you want the same rpm range then you need to keep the effective duration near stock
doing manifold and small 4bbl-
I recommend an AVS gives you more power without having to change converter and gears which is what you have to do if you start closing the intake valve too late
Air Valve Secondary will not open more than you engine can use
Other and IMHO better choice with maybe a little more learning curve is a 318 Mopar Thermoquad

Back to cam
stock cams tend to be lazy and close the intake and exhaust late when looking at when they actually close
the 360 cam is worse and the 340 HP cam is way wrong- lots of threads here from those that have tried it It wants high compression and higher revs even in a 340 or 360
The summit cams are old cam dynamics grinds now ground by Crane (and several others)
post up your compression and the rest of your details in ONE POST and let AJ/formS take a look at them
custom cam and solid lifters solves lots of problems
IMHO best off the shelf cam would be the smallest Lunati Voodoo
no other suggestions till I see compression gears body etc
I take it no headers- that makes a difference
was it you that was thinking of changingheads?

My engine (75' 318) is entirely stock except for dual exhaust, so I guess my CR is like 8.5:1. Also I'm not sure wich gears I have but maybe they are 2.76 (741 case).

Dart 66, automatic 904 transmission.

As I said before, just want the best cam I can get for a 2bbl between those two summit, but also it must work fine when I do the 4bbl upgrade.

 

[Wyrmrider]

I'll look at those summits again tomorrow, if those are the only things you can get in Columbia
I'm tempted to say do the carb and be happy
low compression, tall gears too big a cam can kill your driveability and gas mileage
I'm thinking the 250 @.006 cams or the 248 Mopar performance are as big as I'd go
smallest voodoo is
Advertised Duration (Int/Exh): 253/258 @.006 ;Duration @ .050 (Int/Exh): 208/213 ;Gross Valve Lift (Int/Exh): .454/.454 ;LSA/ICL: 112/108 ;

Summit/ Cam dynamic cams are measured at .004 not .006 so you have to convert