How big a cam can I run with a stock bottom end?

I am getting close to getting the parts for the build on the wagon. Stock 71 3504bbl. I don't want to dig into the bottom end. right now I am looking at a SP3, the T/A upgraded front cover. I figure doing the timing set while I am in there. Since I am getting into the timing set may want to look at adding a cam.

So, what would be the biggest cam I can run safely with the stock bottom end?

Thanks for the info.

Tim

 

A TA 284 cam would be the largest I would run with a stick bottom end. You can go larger but it will hurt the low rpm torque more than it will help the upper RPM Hp. Realistically a TA 212 cam is a better match for a 8:1 71 emgine.

 

284-88h is what I use. And I'm using the stock bottom end and sp3. But I shaved my heads .020 and ran the steel shim headgaskets to bump up compression, which is required with the 284 cam. My car Runs pretty good but doesn't perform down low very well with my 256 rear gear ratio and stock torque converter. I agree with Sean that the 212 is the better choice especially with stock compression. The 284 and sp3 (in my case) needs a rich idle...partly cause the 284 is too much cam for a tight torque converter.

 

I'm putting a TA 212 in my 71 350. I have shaved heads, decked block and the CR should be right around 9:1.

 

What is your goal. Do you want the lumpy cruiser or are you just trying to get the most out of stock parts. Because you can put a mountain of cam in any motor as long as the valves and pistons can take it but it won't make more power.

You are probably better off putting your money into other performance parts. Cams lately have not been the most reliable, a lot of flat cams.

 

Big cams need big compression. True 10+
Build around and up to it or you'll have a bunch of small cams sitting on a shelf when you eventually get pistons & rods.

 

When I ran the Comp Cam 268 the car ran good and this was with everything else stock except the headers and dual exhaust and a Holley dbl pump spread bore 650.
Was slow out of hole 2.02 60 ft but at around 2500 it would take off. if I would have went 1 cam down smaller it would have been better out of the hole. I still won races on the street but that was in the middle 80's lol
The 268 cam I think had duration at 218 @ .050. and had a 469 lift
The 212 cam seems to be the best cam for mostly stock engine If you want to go bigger and more power you would need the 73 cap screw rods and you will be good to 450 hp easily. I ran that nitrous on the 73 rods and I have spun to 6 grand all. the time.
The 125 shot of nitrous was making 500 hp on the motor so I think you would be good on the set up with the better rods if you want more. you just need to do the oil mods and I would do that one anyways.

 

With the weight of your car you need to stick with the safety net that its far better to have too small of a Cam then too large.

With this in mind I would not go any larger then a Crower 50275, and even then I would mill the heads .040" to get you to 9 to 1.