Help picking a cam

I doubt any of the listed choices will be all that much different in the end result but given a choice and if building a street performance cars engine I'd go with that crower 009o3 with 214/224 duration or the crane 114142 with its 216/228 duration as both have fairly wide LSA and longer exhaust duration, matching what I think youll like best, the basic duration range matches the aproximate 9.5:1 compression and 2000rpm-6000rpm power band your looking for in a stret performance engine and that 3.42 ratio and 26" tall tires.
Id also suggest that a set of 1.6:1 roller rockers and if the budget allows better heads will be beneficial, but keep in mind the quality and quantity of cylinder head air flow and exhaust scavenging efficiency, and your ability to tune the carb and ignition goes a VERY LONG WAY towards making the engine produce good power, great heads and a stock cam will produce better results than stock heads and a good cam, but combine both good heads and a good cam and results are much better
 
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Cool thanks grumpy I wish the budget allowed some nice aluminum heads. This set of vortec heads all ready to run for just a few hundred bucks is all I can work with at the moment. I'll probably go roller rocker later on as more money gets saved up
 
I generally select crower or crane almost interchangeably as far as quality with crower maybe a smidgen better , ITS been over 40 years since I had a cam from either company fail during a break-in, or wear out during normal service use,and Id suggest buying the cam and lifters from the same source as a matched set, failure to do so results in the cams warranty ALWAYS being void , as the cams manufacturer invariably says you matched incompatible components if you mix & match parts even if that's total B.S.





 
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WHAT GRUMPY SAID. And don't forget this:

Loves302Chevy said:
your stock rockers might not work at these valve lifts
because the slot for the stud in the rocker might not be long enough and there could be
interference between the rocker and the stud at full valve lift.
It's another quick way to kill a camshaft.
Click to expand...

And this:
You said Vortec heads, correct? Then you need to check out this site: http://www.alexsparts.com/
They have a drop-in valve spring & retainer packages just for Vortec heads. Great prices too.

Our Vortec kits are specially engineered for Iron Vortec & 96 iron LT1 Impala heads. That's right, no machine work required to set up a pair of these heads.
We engineered this kit with all the right parts just so Vortec head owners won't have to machine the spring seats or valve guides to run up to .550" lift.
Great for increased lifts including engines with 1.6, high ratio rockers w/ up to .550" lift at the valve.

Yes, works with stock or roller self aligning rockers as well as heads w/ screw in studs and guide plates and std, non self aligning rockers.
As you may know, Vortec heads have a problem w/ retainer to seal clearance. The stock retainers and springs do not allow for more then around .460" or so lift.
This kit is specially engineered to allow for up to .550" lift, all with parts which fit the heads without added machine work.
http://www.alexsparts.com/valve-spr...yd-flat-tappet-110-lbs-seat-pressure-vsk4h50/
http://www.alexsparts.com/valve-spring-kit-sb-chevy-vortec-hi-perf-hyd-roller/
http://www.alexsparts.com/valve-spr...nce-hyd-roller-vsk4h52-120-lbs-seat-pressure/

And this: (for the Crane 114142)
Run 1.6 rockers and 1.5 on the exhaust. Your valve lifts will come out to .484/.480 and
all the valve spring heights can be set the same.
You can buy split sets of rockers - (8) 1.5 & (8) 1.6. I know Jegs has them.

This Lunati falls right in line with all of the recommendations - if you choose their brand.
http://www.lunatipower.com/Product.aspx?id=3855&gid=110
 
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okay guys I have decided to run with the crane 114142. I ordered valve springs that matched the specs on the cam card and I have a few questions. When I get the springs I am assuming that the valve guide bosses may need to be machined down to allow for the .480 lift, stock vortecs usually can only run about .460. How much do you think that will cost as I can buy the tool to do it myself at home for around 65 bucks with the 11/32 arbor and retainer machine tool. This tool also reduces the diameter to a more common .530 valve seal. I also don't have a valve spring mic or a caliper to measure for lift clearances. What do you guys recommend me to do? Should I buy the tools and do it at home or have the machine shop take care of it? If you think I should do it at home are there decent tools for the job that are not super pricey?
 
1 MORE TIME - READ THIS !!!

You are obviously not reading the links.

Loves302Chevy said:
And this:
You said Vortec heads, correct? Then you need to check out this site: http://www.alexsparts.com/
They have a drop-in valve spring & retainer packages just for Vortec heads. Great prices too.

Our Vortec kits are specially engineered for Iron Vortec & 96 iron LT1 Impala heads. That's right, no machine work required to set up a pair of these heads.
We engineered this kit with all the right parts just so Vortec head owners won't have to machine the spring seats or valve guides to run up to .550" lift.
Great for increased lifts including engines with 1.6, high ratio rockers w/ up to .550" lift at the valve.

Yes, works with stock or roller self aligning rockers as well as heads w/ screw in studs and guide plates and std, non self aligning rockers.
As you may know, Vortec heads have a problem w/ retainer to seal clearance. The stock retainers and springs do not allow for more then around .460" or so lift.
This kit is specially engineered to allow for up to .550" lift, all with parts which fit the heads without added machine work.
http://www.alexsparts.com/valve-spr...yd-flat-tappet-110-lbs-seat-pressure-vsk4h50/
http://www.alexsparts.com/valve-spring-kit-sb-chevy-vortec-hi-perf-hyd-roller/
http://www.alexsparts.com/valve-spr...nce-hyd-roller-vsk4h52-120-lbs-seat-pressure/
Click to expand...
 
Haha 302 I am definitely reading the links Alex parts is out of the spring kit for hydraulic flat tappet cams I checked already. I called them and he was very unsure as to when he would be back in Stock. They are changing spring suppliers haven't found a solid one yet.
 
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OK. Good. But going the conventional way will involve more costs at the machine shop.
Both methods work, I'm just trying to save some of those headaches for you.
 
Yeah I know and I would prefer the Alex parts kit but he sounded pretty unsure of when he will have the flat tappet kit again. My father in law has some nice calipers because he's a welder so Ill check my Retainer to guide clearance. Then I'll ask the machine shop for a quote to machine the guides if it's too much I'll return the springs and wait for Alex to get the kit back in Stock I guess.
 
You can have the machine shop machine the guides, and that shouldn't cost too much.

The trick to Alex's kit are the retainers. Built into them is a taller installed height (which
most likely requires taller valve springs) and the bottom of the retainer is machined down
to provide more retainer-to-seal clearance. And he has + and - locks to get your installed
height right where you need it.
 
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