non-stock cam on stock engine

[frozen]

I know that the whole cam issue has been discussed over and over, but there is an item that I would like clarified.

I would like to throw a summit 8600 cam into the beast but the beast is pretty much stock (30 over on piston size but thats about it.) I really don't want a cam that will make the idle suck, or run rough.

Can I thow the 8600 into an otherwise stock engine and have it work well?

Also, how important is it to use the double roller timing chain kit?

Please let me know soon, planing on ordering the stuff right after work.

Thanks
-pete

[Cliff]

What are the cam specs?

[frozen]

* Advertised duration: 272 intake/282 exhaust
* Duration at .050 in. cam lift: 214 intake/224 exhaust
* Gross valve lift: .472 in. intake/.496 in. exhaust
* Lobe separation: 112 degrees
* RPM range: 1,500 to 4,500

[RustyJeep]

I have the K8600 in my engine and I like it. I had it with the 2bbl intake and carb, and it was okay. But, now i have the 4bbl intake and EFI and it REALLY likes it smile.gif

[ January 27, 2003, 06:39 PM: Message edited by: RustyJeep ]

[Gimpy Magoo]

We ahve the 8600K in our 84 GW. Get the kit including lifters. While your at it do the timing chain too. get a good double roller. Summit also has one although the # escapes me.

Love the idle and the rumble seems just a tad meaner which is cool by me. power is really noticeble although not sure if it's strickly cam related or not as we also went with the Edelbrock intake and carb too.

Bill

[Al Johnson]

When you put that aftermarket timing set in there, watch for a common casting defect that blocks an oil passage in the cam sprocket hub.

Opposite the keyway slot, there is a half-round oil passage that should run from front to back in the sprocket hub. There is a casting defect that can block the oil passage in the middle. If you get one like that, just file it out with a rat-tail file, and you're good to go.

This is not an issue with stock timing set sprockets, as they are made with a powder metal process, not cast, and this sort of thing pretty much can't happen with that process.

Have fun!
Al

[mechanic58]

I've got much experience building engines of all makes with all different types of cams in them...it's been my experience if you're going to DRIVE the vehicle that you THINK you wanna put a hot cam in, then you better re-think what you're about to do. If that duration of 272/282 @.050" lift is TRUE...that's a drag race cam and your mostly stock engine will NOT have ANY power at lower RPMs and you'll be lucky if it has any at high rpms too...without raising the compression ratio too...and you can forget TORQUE. I'd stick with a cam that has around 260ish TRUE duration. That would equate to 240ish @ .050" lift. What you need is a cam with a relatively SHORT duration and a bigger than stock lift...this will produce TORQUE. Increasing the duration of the cam will move the power band of the engine UP. Which takes power AWAY at lower RPMs. Your engine will run much better and be WAY more drivable if you stick with a milder camshaft profile. If you insist on using that other cam, you'll need to raise your static compression ratio considerably in order to get your cylinder pressure up where it should be for the engine to run right. Also...112 degrees of lobe sep will cause a substantial lope... Most stock spec cams have at least 116 degrees of sep or more. Stick with 116 or more. I know alot about this particular subject...if you have anymore specific questions, email me.

[Lindel]

The Summit can is a good grind for the 360, and you can see from the postings that most people like it. It doesn't affect drivability as much as it looks like, and there is a definate "seat of the pant's" feel to it. You'll know it's in there, for sure!!

One word of advice, do the timing set at the same time, since you'll "be in the area, anyway".

[The PIG Smith]

Wait a sec, I'm confused

.030 over is not stock.

How can you have a stock engine with a 030 over pistons??

[Lindel]

he did say "pretty much stock"

[The PIG Smith]

Okay...was just asking...I'll back off.

I do play well with others. smile.gif

[Lindel]

not berating, just pointing out!! smile.gif and if that's the only mod, it's really not a whole lot

[DavidSUTTON]

AMC`S USE A 904 DIAM LIFTER FOOT IT LETS US GET AWAY WITH HOTTER THAN NORMAL CAM PROFILES i MAKE OUR AMC ENGINES THINK THEY HAVE A ROLLER IN THEM (GOTTA LUV tHAT)
ALSO AMC HEADS FLOW WAY BETTER OUT OF THE BOX THAN A CHEBBY

[Lindel]

You got it, Dave!! The Summit cam really lets the engine breathe, and those that have added the extra induction that a 4 bbl intake allows, and that have also freed up the few restrictions in the exhaust (not the manifolds, believe it or not), will really be able to tell the difference.

The summit cam (made by Super Stock Industries, BTW, and sold by PAW under the SSI name) has a 214/224@.050 lift duration, which is pretty much right where we want it for torque. The lift exploits the flow capabilities of the head tremendously, and you can really feel it. Frank in Norway has one of these cams in his Waggie, and he can show what the numbers are. 300+ HP@3800 rpm, and nearly 400 ft-lbs of torque at 2000 rpm.

He bumped the compression to about 9:1, but thats the only other major change. Not bad for a truck engine, eh? smile.gif