Which cam?

[Mark StMartin]

Hey, folks...I have a 61 Impala with the 230hp 283 with factory dual exhaust. It currently has the Powerglide but will be converting to an M20 Muncie. Looking for suggestions on a street cam to give me a little lope. It is currently completely stock and runs great. Just looking for a little more zing. Thanks for any input! Mark

 

[55Brodie]

GM 3863151

 

[64ss409]

That was the one that was used in a lot of the small blocks back in the day. My brother put one in his new 1964 Chevelle SS, 283.

 

[Don Jacks]

Comp Cams Xtreme Energy pn SK12-412-8,Lunati Voodoo pn.20120710k will work just fine.There are others as well from other places but these are from personal experiance for a small displacement small block.These are hyd.roller cam/kit combo's

 

[boxerdog]

Here's one to look at:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/hrs-117492-10/make/chevrolet

Solid lifter flat tappet for the correct sound. Make sure you get their EDM lifters!

 

[Don Jacks]

Oh yes ,the old ''097'' cam.A little ''big'' in that heavy car unless he's running a gear in the 3.70-4.10 range IMO.

 

[boxerdog]

Agreed, it's more about capturing your past than drag racing. In reality, many of these cars are more suited for creating nostalgic moments.

 

[64ss409]

I agree. I have many scratches on the machine turned fancy piece on my console. That's not from my cell phone,,,,,it's from previous years of setting my beer cans there.

 

[425/409ER]

Comp Cams 268H turned my 283 into a little monster and pulled to 6500 with ease. Use the 270S Magnum cam if you like solid lifters.

 

[Mark StMartin]

I seem to remember that cam as a 20 something in the 80's as "The Sh*t". If I recall they were everywhere...

 

[427John]

What about the L-79 327/350 hyd. cam?I remember years ago they were super popular on the smaller cu. in. SBC's along with Z-28 valve springs.

 

[Don Jacks]

You'd be amazed at what a set of ''Power Pack'' 283 heads,a 4bbl.,dual exhaust and L79 cam will do for a 307.

 

[427John]

I always assumed there was only 1 350 horse cam but apparently the L79 327/350 and the L46 350/350 used 2 slightly different cams with different ICL's and the 350 cam had a little more exhaust lift.Also the later L82 350 used the same cam as the L46,apparently the L79 cam timing was more geared to higher rpms.

 

[55Brodie]

GM 3863151

This is the L-79 cam.

 

[427John]

Yes and the the L-46 cam is GM 3896962,it appears to still be available from GMPP as well as other sources.While the L-79 doesn't appear to be available from GMPP it is from other sources, I think it would still be my choice for a 283.

 

[Don Jacks]

If hose were my only 2 choices,I'd go With the L79 but rhere are much better modern cams available now.The reason that I recommended the roller cam that I did is because of the lack of good flat tappet lifters which we all know[and some choose to ignore].Of the two I suggested,the Lunati would be the least expensive and just a tad milder.When you're talking about a 4200 plus car that is more than likely geared tall[3.08 -3.36] and a small engine,small cams are a much more reasonable choice.This is cruiser not a street brawler.

 

[boxerdog]

I've had this in the archives forever. I think it is one or the other of the hydraulic cams mentioned above, ground by Crane and with US made lifters, according to the box. I can' t locate any other details about it. Anybody have any documentation? I guess I could open the box! Summit says it is the 151 which is the L-79.

 

[427John]

I guess thats what I meant to say Don of those 2 I'd choose the L-79.I agree there are plenty of better choices for his car.

 

[Don Jacks]

In a Nova or base Chevelle yes,in a 4200 plus pound Impala,esp.one with tall gears and a 283 no.