Author Topic: 302 DZ Engine... What is the best Cam to run??  (Read 29256 times)

dannystarr

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302 DZ Engine... What is the best Cam to run??
« on: June 29, 2010, 03:56:20 PM »
Hey everyone, can anybody tell me what is the best Solid Lifter Cam to run in the 69' 302. It's going to be a stock engine with basic stock specs. Stock 186 heads no porting. I have seen many different ones, but thought it best to ask people that have built many of these engines. Would like to run new technology, and don't care to run the 30/30. Just what is comparible but advanced and updated. I was also wondering if it would be smart to run roller tipped rockers, but I heard they don't clear stock 69' valve cover's. Any help would be appreciated, as there is SO many Cam company's.......Danny

JohnZ

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Re: 302 DZ Engine... What is the best Cam to run??
« Reply #1 on: June 29, 2010, 05:53:24 PM »
You need to be very careful with cam selection for a 302 if you have the stock 11:1 pistons. The stock "30-30" cam has late intake valve closing timing to reduce the rate of cylinder pressure build at low-to-medium rpm, which reduces the dynamic compression ratio and allows it to run detonation-free on pump premiium fuel.

Most aftemarket cams close the intake valve much sooner (in the quest for more power), and may put you in a difficult situation in terms of running without detonation on pump premium with 11:1 pistons. If you talk to techs at the cam companies, make SURE you tell them you have 11:1 pistons and iron heads; it will dramatically reduce their offerings (if they tell you the truth).
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Kelley W King

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Re: 302 DZ Engine... What is the best Cam to run??
« Reply #2 on: June 29, 2010, 07:21:27 PM »
I have roller tip rockers on mine with stock valve covers. I do not know the brand. They were on the car when I bought it. They are different though because they have caps on the valve stem the roller rides on.
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Jerry@CHP

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Re: 302 DZ Engine... What is the best Cam to run??
« Reply #3 on: June 30, 2010, 10:16:13 PM »
Find a good set of original "O" stamped rockers.  That's what we have to use in Stock Eliminator and they are bullet proof.  My engine sees 8600 rpm on a regular basis.  If you can't find them, the Manley #46140 rocker arms are the next best choice.  The roller rockers and roller tipped rockers are not needed for street applications.  And they have been known to come apart too.  More moving parts means more issues.

Jerry

dannystarr

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Re: 302 DZ Engine... What is the best Cam to run??
« Reply #4 on: July 01, 2010, 05:04:07 AM »
Thanx much Jerry... Can you tell me what Cam Company and Part # you use when rebuilding a 302 for a customer? Again, just a stock 302 that MIGHT see 6,000 RPM on a good day.......Danny

Gramps69Z

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Re: 302 DZ Engine... What is the best Cam to run??
« Reply #5 on: July 01, 2010, 04:49:23 PM »
Captain John Wykoff
Destin Fire:   October 31, 2015 at 0700--Officially Retired

dannystarr

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Re: 302 DZ Engine... What is the best Cam to run??
« Reply #6 on: July 01, 2010, 05:20:35 PM »
Thanx guys, but I see 2 different numbers??  Part # 46140 and Part # 43140. Is it because the 43140 are LONG SLOT? Should I get the long slot? So I can wind it up higher in RPM's? ..... Sorry, never built an engine before.......Danny

flyingskibiker

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Re: 302 DZ Engine... What is the best Cam to run??
« Reply #7 on: July 05, 2010, 07:27:03 PM »
I'm not sure about any of the numbers.  But long slot rockers are used with high lift cams.  The longer slot allows clearance between the rocker arm mounting stud and the rocker arm when the valve is open  Without the longer slot, there is a possibility that there would be contact and/or binding due to the high lift cam.  This clearance is one of the things that is checked prior to final assembly.

dannystarr

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Re: 302 DZ Engine... What is the best Cam to run??
« Reply #8 on: July 05, 2010, 10:31:30 PM »
Well guys, I am learning. I have been a plumber for 23 years and can fix just about anything from T.V.'s , Guitars, Washing Machines, Car's, Off shore oil rig's and 40 story high rises in the 80's, to working on the USS Missouri and a couple Nuclear Carrier's and Submarines with top secret clearance. But I never built an engine. Not even in H.S. auto shop. So thanx for all the advice and future advice.

JohnZ

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Re: 302 DZ Engine... What is the best Cam to run??
« Reply #9 on: July 06, 2010, 03:03:23 PM »
Well guys, I am learning. I have been a plumber for 23 years and can fix just about anything from T.V.'s , Guitars, Washing Machines, Car's, Off shore oil rig's and 40 story high rises in the 80's, to working on the USS Missouri and a couple Nuclear Carrier's and Submarines with top secret clearance. But I never built an engine. Not even in H.S. auto shop. So thanx for all the advice and future advice.

You might consider buying one of the "How To Rebuild Your Small-Block Chevy" books, either by David Vizard or by Larry Atherton - they'll take a lot of the mystery out of it, and answer most of your questions as you go along.
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dannystarr

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Re: 302 DZ Engine... What is the best Cam to run??
« Reply #10 on: July 06, 2010, 04:18:13 PM »
Hey JZ, good idea. I have one of those that was giv'in to me, however it is for a small block Ford. I will get the Chevy one. And again, I thank everyone for the info.. Danny

Jerry@CHP

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Re: 302 DZ Engine... What is the best Cam to run??
« Reply #11 on: July 07, 2010, 01:38:57 AM »
We use the Comp Cams version of the 30-30 cam.  You want the long slot rockers.

Jerry

dannystarr

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Re: 302 DZ Engine... What is the best Cam to run??
« Reply #12 on: July 07, 2010, 04:44:40 PM »
Thanx Jerry M.,......... Jerry did you happen to get my want list email. I know you apparently get up to 500 emails a day! I also emailed ya about how your documentation service works. I have since gotten a few parts off that list. And also read info on your website about how you run your business. Could you tell me when you are coming to CA. Do you have the date yet? I am working on getting this car, and was hoping to possibly meet up. I am minutes from your last trip out location. Is there a certain time you can give me to call, with a specific phone number to use?.....Danny

Jerry@CHP

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Re: 302 DZ Engine... What is the best Cam to run??
« Reply #13 on: July 08, 2010, 04:44:20 PM »
I'll be heading back to CA later this summer.  Probably August.

Jerry

sd1968z28

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Re: 302 DZ Engine... What is the best Cam to run??
« Reply #14 on: July 09, 2010, 01:52:59 AM »
what is wrong with the gm off road cam,  price is right and it works like crazy.

dannystarr

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Re: 302 DZ Engine... What is the best Cam to run??
« Reply #15 on: July 09, 2010, 05:59:53 AM »
Thanx Jerry, I'll watch for your schedule........D

Stingr69

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Re: 302 DZ Engine... What is the best Cam to run??
« Reply #16 on: July 09, 2010, 03:43:06 PM »
what is wrong with the gm off road cam,  price is right and it works like crazy.

It needs more.....

More compression, more RPM, more gear.

If the OP is asking, he probably would not want it but that is just my guess.

I would go with the LT-1 cam or the Crane F-278-2 if you can get your hands on one. I run that with the Comp cast roller tips and they fit fine under the stock valve covers (with or without drippers). Runs real good especially down low and sounds completely stock. The car is a lot easier to tune with this setup as compared to the 30-30 I was running before. The rich fuel smell is gone too.

Jerry would probably say use the stock cam but I just like the other 2 options better for a street driven car.

JMO.

-Mark.

Jerry@CHP

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Re: 302 DZ Engine... What is the best Cam to run??
« Reply #17 on: July 09, 2010, 04:12:26 PM »
We have used the 140 camshaft in engines that we built and got good results.  The 30-30 cam works just about as well too.  Remember, our engine building is built around that Stock Eliminator platform......you don't need more lift and duration to make more HP.

Jerry

sd1968z28

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Re: 302 DZ Engine... What is the best Cam to run??
« Reply #18 on: July 09, 2010, 06:39:38 PM »
so what you are saying rules be damn, the 140 cam is ok?  sure my car has 4.88 gears and headers but this cam performs way better than the stock cam.  it pulls past 8000 rpm and sounds plain nasty at idle.  we stabed one in my brothers 350 car with fastburn heads and holy cow that thing hauls the mail.

Jerry@CHP

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Re: 302 DZ Engine... What is the best Cam to run??
« Reply #19 on: July 10, 2010, 02:03:10 AM »
140 cam is okay but we can make the same power out of a 30-30 profile cam too.  The engine in my stocker makes just under 500 HP and that cam checked at .482" lift in teardown when we set the D/Stock national record this past April.  Bigger is not always better.

Jerry

Jerry@CHP

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Re: 302 DZ Engine... What is the best Cam to run??
« Reply #20 on: July 10, 2010, 02:04:16 AM »
Engine pulls strong to 8600 rpm too.  I can post photos of the Race Pac data logger too.

Jerry

68Zproject

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Re: 302 DZ Engine... What is the best Cam to run??
« Reply #21 on: July 11, 2010, 09:44:49 PM »
I had the LT1 cam in a 69 302 and it was a dog.  I'm not going to say it would be for anyone that used it.  But for whatever reason, in my car that thing was absolutely gut-less.
68Z28

68Zproject

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Re: 302 DZ Engine... What is the best Cam to run??
« Reply #22 on: July 11, 2010, 09:45:39 PM »
Engine pulls strong to 8600 rpm too.  I can post photos of the Race Pac data logger too.

Jerry

Absolutely.  Any video of inside the car as the front wheels come off the ground?
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Jerry@CHP

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Re: 302 DZ Engine... What is the best Cam to run??
« Reply #23 on: July 12, 2010, 10:31:42 PM »
Not yet, it's on the list of things to do.  Videos are on You Tube of the car running in the 10.50s on the brakes with D/A at 1100 ft.

Jerry

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Re: 302 DZ Engine... What is the best Cam to run??
« Reply #24 on: July 26, 2010, 03:49:53 AM »
hey gang; I am using a 70 z-28 cam- the 178, it runs great in my car, got 3:73s, plenty of midrange and top end, nothing below 2,000 though. More responsive than the 30-30-I have read in the past that the 178 would have been the ideal cam if factory installed- I can vouch for it now!

 

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