Street Cam Suggestions for a 340?

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IndianaDodge

IndianaDodge

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Any suggestions on a cam for my 340? I'm looking at ordering everything to be a match set. Such as Cam, Lifters, Push Rods, Springs, etc.. Many to choose from, thought I would get some input.


I'm working with the following.
stock 340, J Heads
Edlebrock Air Gap intake & Edlebrock 600 maybe 650 carb.
727 w/B&M shift kit stock converter at the moment, but I plan to buy a converter to match the cam.
3.23 suregrip
Mopar after market elec ign & dist.
flow master exh
possibly TTI headers if budget allows, at the moment stock 273 manifolds..

My goal is a solid running 350 to 375 hp 65 Dart cruiser. maybe occasional pass on the drag strip. Something that turns heads when pulling into the local cruise-in. a low 13sec in the qtr would be great..
 
I have a Mopar "purple cam", solid lifters, Comp springs & push rods for adjustable rockers. I might be able to put a set of adjustable rockers, shafts, & spacers together if you are interested. PM me, if you are.
 
375 is a reach with what you have. 3.23s are gonna leave you wanting. If you find a deal on a 2500 converter, grab it. I have a similar build, and after a xe 268 comp, but before changing from 3.23 to 3.73, and a converter it wasn't fun or fast. Crane has several street cams that fit the bill, don't overlook them.
 
i put a stock AAR cuda cam in my car.
not sure of lift.
runs perfect.
 
I'm running a comp XE274H and its strong. You don't mention static compression ratio. So it's a little hard for me to recommend a cam. XE268H is a known performer in small blocks, especially 360's with lower (i.e around 9:1) static compression.

Here's my build and it was rated by a highly reputable builder (bel engines edmonton) for 380-400 horse.

340
.040 Over
KB 243 .040 over piston
10:1 static compression
7.5:1 dynamic compression
Worked J Iron heads, 2.02 intake valves, port and polish work
Edelbrock air gap
Street Avenger 670
Balance, blue printed etc etc.
727 with manumatic valve body and shift kit
8-3/4 3:55 rear

In my 72 scamp. The only thing holding it back is I'm running the HP 340 manifolds into 2-1/4 exhaust. You can hear the thing choke. Going to hooker setup and 3 inch exhaust this spring.

The thing revs to over 7g, not that you'd ever use it. Strong strong torque right from idle. If I put my foot down, everyone in the car and on the block knows it. It will burn tires through the intersection easy. Dusted a ZL1 off the line at the stop lights, put the fright of mopar in him. This should give you an idea of what it takes to get into or just above the 1hp per cube area. It really doesn't take much work.
 
fratzog lover said:
375 is a reach with what you have. 3.23s are gonna leave you wanting. If you find a deal on a 2500 converter, grab it. I have a similar build, and after a xe 268 comp, but before changing from 3.23 to 3.73, and a converter it wasn't fun or fast. Crane has several street cams that fit the bill, don't overlook them.
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same on the gears.. Once I get the 340 in it, some 3.55 or 3.73 was next on the list.
 
Demonracer said:
I have a Mopar "purple cam", solid lifters, Comp springs & push rods for adjustable rockers. I might be able to put a set of adjustable rockers, shafts, & spacers together if you are interested. PM me, if you are.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer but think I'm going to stay with a Hydraulic cam.
 
Headers would be a must for serious power.Money spent on the head flow will be worth it.I wouldn't run more than 3.55 gears if it were mine.Even 3.23 will be fine if you factor in tire height.That thing should be pretty light so it won't need to have as much horsepower as a heavier later model.
Don't over cam/carb it and it will be responsive and a blast to drive.I would imagine a Hughes whiplash cam would have the sound you want so long as it smooths out at cruising rpm.
 
9:1 + XE268H
If it's a lower compression motor you might want to look into one of the Whiplash cams.

Gotta do something about those manifolds too. Bet they are really choking that 340!
 
I'd run something like a Voodoo 60403 (old number) or XE268H. You'd need to get the initial timing tune up right and it will not lack low end power.

375 is more HP than either of those cams will provide with a stock intake port. If it made 325 with those exhaust manifolds, you'd be lucky. I have a 340 with a mopar 508 hyd cam. With the stock 68-70 hipo 340 manifolds, it would stop dead at 5100rpm. Installed headers, no other changes, it pulls hard to 6000. The stock manifolds stink... :)
 
crackedback said:
I'd run something like a Voodoo 60403 (old number)
Click to expand...

This is what I have, great street cam. 15-16" of vacuum at idle and works with your Air Gap RPM range. You will likely need a converter with it. My dad has the next size up in a 440 in his Coronet and its not bad on the street either but we both have 4 speed cars and 3.91:1 gears.

https://www.lunatipower.com/Product.aspx?id=2343&gid=287

Step down one size if you want to keep the stock converter, manifolds and 3.23:1.
 
dano said:
This is what I have, great street cam. 15-16" of vacuum at idle and works with your Air Gap RPM range. You will likely need a converter with it. My dad has the next size up in a 440 in his Coronet and its not bad on the street either but we both have 4 speed cars and 3.91:1 gears.

https://www.lunatipower.com/Product.aspx?id=2343&gid=287

Step down one size if you want to keep the stock converter, manifolds and 3.23:1.
Click to expand...

That does sound pretty good for what was asked.
I'm working with the following.
stock 340, J Heads
Edlebrock Air Gap intake & Edlebrock 600 maybe 650 carb.
727 w/B&M shift kit stock converter at the moment, but I plan to buy a converter to match the cam.
3.23 suregrip
Mopar after market elec ign & dist.
flow master exh
possibly TTI headers if budget allows, at the moment stock 273 manifolds..

My goal is a solid running 350 to 375 hp 65 Dart cruiser. maybe occasional pass on the drag strip. Something that turns heads when pulling into the local cruise-in. a low 13sec in the qtr would be great..
Click to expand...
With a very similar setup, my car was in the high 13s, 13.77 99.5 mph was the best. So I think you can get the ET, and don't lose sleep about the Hp unless you're into racing dynos (hey some are).
Weight with me was 3400 plus minus depending on fuel, spare, etc.
Tires were 24" diameter autocross tires. So this gives a gearing advantage although traction off the line was poor compared to drag slicks (any drag tire really) coupled with a rear body that will rise. We did snug the pinion snubber up which helped some..
Turbo/action 'medium stall' torque converter, foot brake test showed 3000 rpm stall.
Comp cams HE 280 cam. that's a 230/230 at .050, .480/.480 left IIRC.
Holley Street Dominator single plane intake manifold with 1/2 phelonic spacer.
Stock 340 ('68 style) aircleaner with K&N filter.
340 Cast Iron exhaust manifolds, 2.5" Turbo mufflers (probably dynomax but I'd have to check).

I drove it alot on the street, but would not recommend it or do it again. Better choices now that will provide more idle vacuum and a little less converter. It also means better torque at street rpms.

However I think its another good reference point for you. Obviously, good headers would be good for lower ET and higher mph. This wouldn't have helped the fact that its rpm going through the lights would still be below peak. On the dyno peak Hp was around 5500 - 5800 but it kept pulling right through 6100 without falling down.

Comp cams has a 'stock replacement' cam that looks interesting, nominally same intake and exhaust duration. Can't recall the p/n or name at the moment..
..found it 20-309-4 "Magnum Muscle"
 
Rather than guess or ask a bunch of guys on the inter web, why not call 3,4,5 or so cam grinders and see what they say. They would love to talk to the end user rather than have it go through the horse a few times.


There would be much more happiness if guys would spend as much time on the phone with the manufacturers as they did on the web. Here are a few of the obvious:

Crane
Crower
Comp
Isky
Sig Erson

And a few of the lesser knowns:
Cam Motion
Racer Brown (my personel favorite)
Bullet
Jones
Straub
Dewayne Porter

Call some or all of them and take notes. You will learn something for sure.
 
Another vote for the Comp XE268.
On a mild small block, this cam is proven.
Order it from Summit.
 
Lelo Dart said:
Gotta do something about those manifolds too. Bet they are really choking that 340!
Click to expand...

Not very many options on exhaust manifolds in an early a with a v-8, or headers which are expensive...
 
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