Cam Selection for 401

jbaier

I have already posted over at ifsja.org, but I'm looking to get some more opinions. No offense meant to anyone! I’m rebuilding a 401 for my Wagoneer to a HD stock ++ condition. It will be a daily driver, with occasional towing. I’m swapping in a OD auto with a .750 overdrive. Now to my dilemma: I have 3 different cam recommendations from 3 different companies: Comp Cams XE262H (they say custom??) - LSA 110 - IN .493 ADV DUR 262 DUR @.050 218 - EX .500 ADV DUR 270 DUR @.050 224 Lunati VooDoo 64500 - LSA 112 - IN .484 ADV DUR 250 DUR @.050 208 - EX .484 ADV DUR 256 DUR @.050 213 Engle 5052H - LSA 112 - IN .489 ADV DUR 254 DUR @.050 209 - EX .489 ADV DUR 254 DUR @.050 209 - The CC seems big compared to the others. They did say a custom grind based on that cam. There was some discussion as to widening the LSA. The Lunati seems small; their description says it is a great torque cam for a 304. The Engle falls in line with the Lunati, but I did see one guy had the exhaust cut to the larger 5054H (EX .501 ADV DUR 260 DUR @.050 214) lobes. Some additional info about vehicle. Stock Heads, 8.5 to 8.8 compression. I’ll be running a TBI setup and maintaining the emissions equipt. Gearing dependent on good engine crusing speed (probable 3.31 w/30 inch tires). Any guidance would be much appreciated. Thanks, Jeff

dwg86

I would run the Engle. I ran an Engle in my 4.6 stroker Jeep 6 cylinder engine. It was the larger 214 dur/.501 lift cam. My engine was 9.25:1 static compression. I ran 87 octane with no detonation problems and probably have gone 9.6:1 and still ran 87 gas. I think the comp cam 218 duration and 110 lobe center will bleed off to much cylinder pressure for the 8.5 compression. Plus comp has been having some cam lobe problems (lobes flattening). Make sure you run an oil with enough zinc to protect the cam. I ran Valvoline VR1 10w30 racing oil(in the silver bottle). According to Valvoline it has enough detergents to do a 3000 mile oil change interval, and enough zinc and phospherous to protect flat tappet cams. Most racing oils don't have enough detergents for extended oil changes. I guess because the oil is changed more freqently. Also, I could by the 10w30 VR1 at the local auto parts store for the same price as other conventional oil.

wyrmrider

Agree that the comp cam mentioned would be way to big and it is a chevy grind not optimized for the bigger Chrysler lifter- check comp cams cam listing pdf
The Engle mentioned is also a much bigger cam (209@.050) than stock- you will lose torque in a stock motor
Engle measures @.008- He may have the lobe mentioned below- ask him for the "Dick Jones Motorhome special"
this is a max lobe for the .904 lifter shorter duration but about the same lift as the Engle
Look for something like this
@.008 @.006 @.050 lobe 1.5 1.6 1.7
H440D64307 256° 260 202° .307" .461" .491" .522"

Comp has no AMC/ Chrysler .904 diameter lifter grinds grinds shorter than 280
Crane has some here
http://www.cranecams.com/uploads/lobe/masterlisting.pdf
H2 and H3 series page 6
examples @.004 so appears longer than cam above but is actually a little smaller
1.5 1.6 1.7
H-202/2880 274 @.0040 .431 .461 .490 202 @.050 28880 /lobelift

I've run the Jones cam with that CR with excellent results

Crower has a good selection as does Engle