Desperately need GOOD advice on this combo.

[Loves302Chevy]

302 Chevy .020 over 3.00" stroke 5.7 rods TotalSeal rings 10.7 compression .026 head gasket(5.4cc) avg D.H. is .015"

Crower #00350 SOLID Flat Tappet cam - Broad power band Short oval profile Heavy car Advertised Duration 268/274 238/244 @.050 .497/.503 lift(1.5) 107 L.S. rpm range 2000-6000 redline 7000 in a 350/400 (installed straight up)

The information below is for degreeing cam only. Correct only at .050" tappet lift.
INTAKE Opens: 16.0 BTDC
Closes: 42.0 ABDC
EXHAUST Opens: 53.0 BBDC
Closes: 11.0 ATDC
LOBE SEPERATION 107º
Duration at .050" Intake: 238
Exhaust: 244
LOBE LIFT Intake: .331
Exhaust: .336
If using "Lobe Center" method of degreeing, cam should be installed on an intake centerline of: 103º

Rhoads #8178X VMAX Variable Duration lifters (to try to help with the lack of low end torque)

Edelbrock Aluminum 6073 Performer RPM 2.02/1.6 cyl heads
185cc/70cc chambers Gasket matched to Felpro 1205
100% smoothed ports and bowls blended
+.100 longer Competition Products Severe Duty stainless valves REV CL1640/CL1625
Break-in using Crower OUTER Spring: 1.895" @60#seat/224#open
Running with PSI Beehive springs: 1.843" @115#seat/300#open

the heads now look exactly like the link below
http://speedtalk.com/forum/viewtopic.ph ... 18&start=0

and the flow as out-of-the-box
Valve lift .050 .100 .200 .300 .400 .500
IN 29.4 59.6 124.7 180.6 223 244
EX 20.7 48.3 96.5 134 161 176

Jegs 1.6 7/16" Aluminum full roller rockers (.150 offset)
Holley Contender Z-28 #300-36 d.p. intake with Edelbrock 1407 750 cfm -OR-
Smokey Ram SY1 #2850 with Holley 0-9381 830 cfm DP
MSD ignition

to be installed in a 84 TransAm (? weight) 700R4 Trans 4.10 gears 28" tires thinking about 4000 stall (lock-up)

Any thoughts? I tried to get it all in, but I probably forgot a couple of details. Thanks, Mike.

 

[Randy_W]

The Trans Am will weigh between 3400-3900 lbs. I know that's a big range but a non ac basic TA will weigh about 3450 lbs. A fully loaded T-top car can go close to 3900 lbs.

 

[grumpyvette]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RHL-8178X/

first question,
why would you even consider matching an automatic transmission with a 4000rpm stall and HYDRAULIC lifters,
on a solid lifter flat tappet cam that even if they worked to reduce low rpm torque loss ,
will limit the upper rpm power.and limit the potential power to about the 4000rpm-6500rpm band,
thats like trying to run a race with both shoes laces tied together

a 302 really needs a bit more cam and solid lifter,and the ability to run up into the 7600rpm range, your basic combos ok, except for the auto/trans and cam/lifter combo

Id suggest the crane 110921

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CRN-110921/

and a MANUAL TRANSMISSION, and anything you can do to reduce the cars weight
if you can as that will help that little 302 a good deal, keep in mind an auto trans sucks up a good deal more power than a manual transmission will.

 

[Loves302Chevy]

Thanks Randy. Yes, it is a fully loaded t-top and I was figuring 3800# myself. It's probably more than that with the frame connectors, suspension components, and stereo equipment, etc. Interestingly enough, if you can consider this reasonably accurate, with a 334 SBC in it (stroked 305) and 99% emissions legal, the car ran 112 mph in the quarter using a G-Tech. This calculates to way more HP than anyone will ever believe a 305/334 could ever make, but the fact is that it takes a certain amount of HP to move a 4000# weight to 112 mph in 1320 ft. It had trouble getting off the line, so the ET sucked, and by the time I figured out that the stock fuel lines were not capable of supplying enough fuel, the engine developed a lower end knock and I'm sure I fried the pistons. As soon as I get the chance, I will be swapping in the 302 for 2 reasons: 1) so I can see how bad I hurt the 334 and hopefully repair it, and 2) I've been playing with this 302 for over 20 yrs and never had it in a car. So when the 334 comes out, the 302 is going in temporarily. I need to experience the 302 for myself.
Grumpyvette - I've been reading your posts on other sites for years and I'm now glad to be finally corresponding with you. To answer some of your questions: Rhoads NEW VMAX lifters can be used on a solid flat tappet cam. They are adjusted similar to solids and will go to over 7000 rpm. I can always put the Crower solids in there. Auto trans - because that's what I have. The car has a built 700R4 in it and the 302 will be temporary. I figure I can get away with the high stall because of the lockup. I put the 302 specs in Desktop Dyno and the HP curve says a 4000 stall puts me in the right part of the curve. HP peaks at 7500 rpm - even with this small cam. Also the Rhoads lifters go solid at around 4000 rpm.
Sure, I wish the car was 1000# lighter, but I'm doing this because I gotta finally feel that 302! I'm an RPM (not torque) kind of guy, and this experiment is gonna tell me whether or not I continue messing with this short stroke engine, or end up really disappointed because of its lack of low rpm torque. Thanks, Mike.

 

[grumpyvette]

the more i look at the info the clearer it becomes that the car would be better served with a similar engine combo, but with a stroker crank giving you basically a 377 or 383, theres a very good reason why the 302 sbc has become rather rare in street cars in the last 30 years, and its because a properly built 377 or 383 with similar parts , in a heavy street car, can in most cases show the 302 nothing but tail lights

viewtopic.php?f=69&t=2667&p=6901#p6901

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ers-and-yeah-thinking-it-through-helps.15137/

viewtopic.php?f=69&t=3957

viewtopic.php?f=69&t=1598

viewtopic.php?f=69&t=4666