stock 400 new cam?

[JHolslin]

 have a tired 73 400, I lost a lifter and im just going to put a cam/lifter kit in and a timing set. I drive it around town and beat it. not a drag racer. can anyone recommend a good cam. with stock compression? I was thinking the edelbrock performer rpm looks about right but I would love some feedback.
thanks.

[Nacho-RT74]

So it was definitelly a lifter! Good to know!

Even I'm not an expert ( far away from that ), from what I have learnt, I like the crower cams profiles on Mopars. 267HDP.

Still would install metallic headgasket and cut a bit the heads ( .020.-030 )  for that cam as I told you on your previous thread. Cheap upgrades what any camshaft you choose will be gratefull, hence the engine.

Just checked the performer RPM and definitely that's not a good option on a stock 400 engine which is barelly around 8 CR. Better the performer plus, closer to the stock. The crower I told is kinda in the middle

I think Edelbrock got a large gap between the plus and the RPM

[firefighter3931]

The Edelbrock "RPM" cam is too big for a low compression 400. 

I would look at the "small" Summit cam and degree it in on a 105-106* intake centerline. These are relatively inexpensive and work well in that type of an application. 

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-k6400/overview/make/dodge


Ron

[JHolslin]

always great info guys.
Thanks.
now I have to wait till my bike sells for more Mopar funding.

[PRH]

I like the small Summit cam too, but I probably wouldn't advance it that far.
I'd go 107-108.

I'd also suggest replacing the valve springs and seals while you're at it.
Stock replacement HP springs would be fine and are pretty cheap, same for the seals.

[Dino]

I got the Johnson lifters as well that are listed in the stickies here. Great quality, good price, and I got them like 2 days after ordering them.   

[Nacho-RT74]

The Edelbrock "RPM" cam is too big for a low compression 400. 

I would look at the "small" Summit cam and degree it in on a 105-106* intake centerline. These are relatively inexpensive and work well in that type of an application. 

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-k6400/overview/make/dodge


Ron

looks just A TAD ( allmost unnapreciable ) smaller than the Crower I suggested... so I'm not that wrong LOL. But maybe with a cut on heads and correct headgasket

[PRH]

I would agree that the Crower 267HDP is likely a "better" cam than the smaller Summit cam.

However, I wouldn't be as comfortable using it and just throwing some springs on the heads.

The ramps are faster, the lift a little higher. I think to be sure you'd have the best chance of success with that cam, in terms of reliability and performance, it would be wise to properly "set up" the heads.
Aftermarket springs appropriate for the cam, set up to the proper installed height....... retainer to seal clearance verified, etc.

With the small Summit cam, I'd feel perfectly comfortable installing new HP replacement springs and calling it good.
While that probably isn't really the "right way" to do it, I don't think you'd create any problems for yourself with that course of action.

I guess part of the decision would be....... How involved do you want the cam swap to be?

[c00nhunterjoe]

And, is all that effort worth it on a 200 hp 8:1 engine? Imo, no, so slap the summit cam in it, enjoy the little bit of rumble it gives you, and save up for a nice 451 rotating assembly.

[PRH]

And, is all that effort worth it on a 200 hp 8:1 engine?

Exactly.

However....... If one were actually looking for a power improvement with just some bolts-ons, I think the normal stuff could perk one of those up pretty good........ As long it I'd didn't have to retain the "stock appearance".

Headers, intake, carb........ And if it had those things, I'd do something different with the cam.

[JHolslin]

I like what I'm reading here. Now with a step up in the cam and with the factory Double springs on my Magnum heads, do you guys think I really need to install different springs? and would I be replacing them to minimize Valve float or to give room for The bigger Lift?
O, Cam I pull my lifters out thru my head? as not to take of my intake and valley pan.

[Nacho-RT74]

Yes, lifters can be replaced with intake in place. Some tricky but not really hard to do. There are tools for that, or even a telescopic magnet will work, depending of the oil rest on bottom of lifter.

[c00nhunterjoe]

You are going to pull the radiator, water pump, front cover, timing chain etc, but sweat a handful more bolts to pop the intake off? You are that far, do it right.

[JHolslin]

LOL. Yes, Yes. your right. What about the springs?

[Wicked72]

Check out the hughes whiplash cam. Its made for the low comp factory engines. Plus they have a complete kit with the springs you need to run it.

[JHolslin]

thanks for all the info. I ended up getting a Comp cam and lifter kit. its just a bit more lift and duration then factory. I also got three lifters out thru the head and I ended up taking of the intake. LOL.