Question on which camshaft

[19Cutlass94]

hey guys, I recently swapped my car to a 5spd from auto. Its got a very lightly modded 3400, with the street cam, and P&P intakes, 65mm TB. Long story short Ive gotta swap transmissions due to a lack of a 2nd gear synchro. Ill be taking the motor out and would like to get more work done to the motor. My plans for it would to just get a good head and cam package.

This is what I have been looking at for the heads,

3400 heads
'Stage 2' porting, since Im keeping the car N/A
Milling
Valve job
3500 valves
Manely steel retainers

However what Im unsure about is the cam, which affects what springs and if the pockets need work.

Ive been looking at either the strip cam or the race cam. But I should mention that the bottom end will be stock. Stock compression, everything. Redline would be 6500RPM. I noticed that with the race cam, with stock compression vacuum will be affected. Is it enough to be that concerened about? There was a cam selection service somewhere in the store, maybe its gone now?

Any help/insight would be appreaciated.

[robert 1980]

I know the race camshaft you would need to mechine the pockets.Because ben just told me.lol

[mfuller]

The "race" cam has very steep ramp rates on the lobes, so stiff valvesprings are required.
As such, you'll probably want to hunt down a double-roller timing set for longevity (good luck finding one). The DRTC comes with it's own unique requirements.
Expect a fairly noisy valvetrain.
With a stock bottom end, I'd probably go with the smaller cam.

[19Cutlass94]

Even right now with the street cam, my valvetrain is fairly noisy. Just something Ive gotten used to.

As with the double-roller, if I remember correctly, you have to modify around the gear area on the crank? something about that needed modification, so Id stay away from that, since I dont want to touch the bottom end. (unless the motor blows) so Ill be running the stock 2004 chain setup.

[mfuller]

Even right now with the street cam, my valvetrain is fairly noisy. Just something Ive gotten used to.

As with the double-roller, if I remember correctly, you have to modify around the gear area on the crank? something about that needed modification, so Id stay away from that, since I dont want to touch the bottom end. (unless the motor blows) so Ill be running the stock 2004 chain setup.

Yes, you have to turn down the snout on the crankshaft, along with some slight clearancing on the block and front cover.
I'd recommend getting a new pre-94 timing set and having it cryo-treated.

[robert 1980]

I love my DRTC=)

[Lilchief]

One of the questions I get when asking about a cam, from my engine builder, is how long do I want it the valve train to last. So the bigger you go the shorter life it will have. I'm installing a .630 lift in my 4 banger and it will last around 30K miles before the springs will be wore out. So if it was me I'd put in a street/strip cam and forget about it.
Hope this helps, Rick

[pocket-rocket]

I'd recommend getting a new pre-94 timing set and having it cryo-treated.

except I thought it was pre 99. Either way, older sets > newer sets.

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[mfuller]

except I thought it was pre 99. Either way, older sets > newer sets.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

You are correct I just had a brain meltdown.


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[SappySE107]

I would run the strip cam for your application.

[robert 1980]

I know jon has a very aggressive camshaft with a 100 shot.And hasn't had any issues with longevity.But i guess only time would tell.

[19Cutlass94]

..

[mfuller]

Still undecided?

[19Cutlass94]

I'll probably end up going with the strip cam. Was going to ask a question, but found the answer I was looking for.

Since the motor is finally out of the car. I can actually do something now.

Sent from my iPhone in some random spot of Texas.