Budget 408 Build

The EQ heads have a good exhaust port and a single pattern vs. a split pattern cam could also be considered, based on many opinions. You could apply one theory (as one example that is out there BUT is not the be all and end all theory) from among others, David Vizard. You determine overlap for the application, and then using his LSA determination chart in his book "How To Build Horsepower" doing some calculating, the cylinder displacement of the 408 is 51 cubic inches, and the intake is 1.97, so that gives you 25.89 CI per inch of valve diameter. In his LSA chart that equates to a lobe separation angle of about 103! That combined with the overlap you decide on gives you the duration number and then you factor lift needed etc. Lots of research of theory, calculating and more research. And then you may have to maybe adjust the specs a little or a lot! It gets you in the general ball park of what cam specs you should be looking at based on a theory, reading and learning, if one cares to. Lots of theories by many, if you choose to go this route you have to pick one, a few, or better yet consider all theories and then put it all together and make a decision. It is much easier and saves a ton of time to let the experts do all that for you and not worry. But to learn as much as you can, maybe spec a cam on paper and then see what the experts recommend. Compare them, see how close you are or how wrong!