Howards vs Hughes vs Lunati Camshaft

[jakuzzie]

I recently asked Howards and Hughes about a roller cam recommendation.
I still haven’t heard anything from Hughes but Howards was quite quick with their answer (cam specs attached).

I am interested in any advice I can get according to those two companies.
Everybody wants to sell their stuff but IS IT WORTH IT?

318 with J Heads (1.88/1.60)
Zero deck KBs with I-Beam rods
RPM Airgap with AVS2 650cfm
Big port manifolds
Lunati Voodoo 10200702 cam
(cam specs attached)

Torque is the goal.
It won’t see 4000rpm most of the time.

Thanks!

 

[mopowers]

Are Lunati cams even still available?

I'd go smaller than either one of those for a 318 that won't see over 4,000 rpm. What's it going in?

 

[jakuzzie]

Are Lunati cams even still available?

I'd go smaller than either one of those for a 318 that won't see over 4,000 rpm. What's it going in?

No Lunati doesn’t make those anymore. It’s currently installed in my Duster.

 

[Ottmundr]

I wish I had went with the 10200702 rather than the 10200701. The point is moot, since they aren't available any more.

 

[9secRR]

Hughes cams are tough to beat.

 

[Garrett Ellison]

What is the static compression and what is it going in? What gears and tire size?

 

[Dart Frog]

At that RPM range and the compression ratio that you are most likely at there's no advantage to any camshaft with much more than factory duration. If that second camshaft spec sheet is the Howard cam it looks good pretty fast rate and would need good springs.

 

[JDMopar]

If the Lunati cam in your Duster is good, it should work fine as long as you match the lifters back the way they are now. If you use the other cam, you will need better springs, Morel hydraulic roller lifters, custom push rods and adjustable rockers. If the Lunati is good to go, it will save you a wad of money!

 

[jakuzzie]

Some additional specs I gave Hughes.

1. Final gear ratio = 2.76
2. Stall speed of torque converter 1500 to 1700
3. Tire height = 24,6“
4. Measured Compression Ratio = 9,7:1
5. Intake manifold = Edelbrock RPM Airgap
6. Header type and size = 1972 340/360 big port manifolds
7. Carburetor size = 650cfm AVS2
8. Rocker arm type and ratio = Roller 1.5 CompCam 1622-16
9. Cylinder head airflow numbers (Fill out chart below)

Lift	Intake	Exhaust
.200"	123	110
.300"	170	135
.400"	206	145
.500"	220	148
.600"	216	148

 

[33IMP]

You have the Lunati in your engine now, and it's in good shape? Leave it! The roller will give you almost nothing noticeable, and empty your wallet a huge amount.

Imo, the value of a roller over a flat tappet starts showing up when you get into 250-270 degrees at .050, and 6500 rpm, 4.10 gears, and 4000 stall. For your application, it is absolutely NOT worth it!

 

[jakuzzie]

For now I have some cheap aluminum heads installed. Those springs handled the lunati well. But I was told the stock J head springs should be changed.
Those HUG 1110P springs from Hughes should take everything you throw at them according to Hughes. Without machining the head for double springs (which are recommended for the lunati).

Going with Hughes products or keeping the Lunati, either way I have to pick those springs I guess…

 

[B3422w5]

Howard’s makes the Hughes cams.

 

[Garrett Ellison]

For now I have some cheap aluminum heads installed. Those springs handled the lunati well. But I was told the stock J head springs should be changed.

The j heads, in all likelihood, are going to be a great leap backwards from your present “cheap aluminum” heads. Giving up the cross section area and valve opening area is counterintuitive to torque production everywhere, not just at peak rpm. Unless they’ve been milled to the same chamber volume as your present heads, then, you’ll also have a loss of cylinder pressure, which will be a worse for torque.
It sounds like you’re really close to what you’re wanting, just use your present combination with Oregon 1458 cam. Have the LSA set on 108 and the intake centerline ground at 104.

206/212@.050, 258/264@.006, 480/488 lift. Your present springs will work fine. It’s mild enough that it could be ground onto a stock 360 LA hydraulic roller core if you had access to one.

 

[jakuzzie]

Would there be any advantage swapping for one of Hughes flat tapped cams?
According to them their cams, lifters, springs,.. are all superior compared to others.

 

[Mopar69gts]

Howard’s makes the Hughes cams.

A couple years ago I wanted a Hughes cam but they were out of stock so I called Howard's they said they are under contract with Hughes they could not sell me the exact same grind but they could grind one just a degree or two off.

 

[RustyRatRod]

So, totally street engine build. One that won't see 4K and above much at all. My advice then is to use something like a Chevy lobe. Something nice and slow and easy. Why on Earth would you want to pound the valves open and them slam them shut with the latest and greatest fastest rates of lift on a 100% street car? Take it easy on the valve train. Your engine will last a long time and even have little to no valve train noise.

 

[Mojoe9955]

I have this Vodoo in my Duster with a 318 combo similar to yours. A little smaller, but it's got low end torque and keeps pulling well over 4k. I'm pretty happy with it.
I see you're looking for a roller and not knowing much about it, but I'm looking at it from JD's, 33 and RRR's point of view.