500 threads about 318 cams and still no one can recommend an off the shelf "next step up" cam for a 318 with only a 4 barrel and dual exhaust as mods that doesn't have a power band that starts well after the normal street operating range.
Cams for 318's
- Thread starter toolmanmike
- Start date
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It would be nice if some of the members that have shown a vastly superior knowledge of this subject to possibly put in relative layman's terms, what the characteristics of some of the "smaller" available cams might be.
There's too many cams available through dozens of grinders. It really depends on the combination that can work with or against any given cam. I get a charge out of "I put that 340 cam in my teen and it ran great" but never mind the guy had headers, a 3500 stall converter and 3:55's. LOL
greymouser7
Vagrant Vagabond “Veni Vidi Vici”
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ir3333
Well-Known Member
Stock lo compression 318
XE-250
XE-250
Wyrmrider
Well-Known Member
yy1 your post 51
for shelf
the shortest Voodoo or Howard or 248 Direct connection
The comps and crane and cam dynamics do not come close (lift (area)to duration (intake closed) ratios)
most others would be custom and would be better
best is jones hyd shortest actually seat to seat and around .450 lift which is all stock heads can do anyway
in laymans terms it builds the most actual compression
for shelf
the shortest Voodoo or Howard or 248 Direct connection
The comps and crane and cam dynamics do not come close (lift (area)to duration (intake closed) ratios)
most others would be custom and would be better
best is jones hyd shortest actually seat to seat and around .450 lift which is all stock heads can do anyway
in laymans terms it builds the most actual compression
Wyrmrider
Well-Known Member
Printout Duration .006 265 lift .471
Jones 256-454 (shorter real seat duration for earlier intake close for low comp and more at .200)
Lunati @.006
253 208 454 all the heads flow, no special machining)
256 213 454
Howard 255 208 .479 @.008 so more real duration than lunati above
shorter duration than printout, same lift, should be more @200
Lunati 262 220 475 about the same duration as printout cam
Howard 265 218 502 more duration than printout cam but looks the same (difference in lift at measurement)
Jones 256-454 (shorter real seat duration for earlier intake close for low comp and more at .200)
Lunati @.006
253 208 454 all the heads flow, no special machining)
256 213 454
Howard 255 208 .479 @.008 so more real duration than lunati above
shorter duration than printout, same lift, should be more @200
Lunati 262 220 475 about the same duration as printout cam
Howard 265 218 502 more duration than printout cam but looks the same (difference in lift at measurement)
Jones Hydraulic cam? I have heard you all speak of that one but what's the part number? Any info on that one other than specs? Let me look for a website.
Nope. Nothingon the site. There must be a grind number or something. If I would contact Jones what would I ask for?
Wyrmrider
Well-Known Member
Hydraulic Flat Tappet | Jones Cams
bottom of the first list
H440D64307
H440D is obvious
64 is 1/4 of the duration =256
307 is the lobe lift
what is interesting if you cam doc this cam compared to other 256 @.006 grinds is that it gets shorter at .004 (compare .004 with a Crane .004) and way much shorter @.002
and is still big or bigger at .200
It is 50% larger than the DC 260 cam at .275
has a big nose- not a pointy cam designed to show off max lift
Asymmetrical and easy on the close for no bounce
bottom of the first list
H440D64307
H440D is obvious
64 is 1/4 of the duration =256
307 is the lobe lift
what is interesting if you cam doc this cam compared to other 256 @.006 grinds is that it gets shorter at .004 (compare .004 with a Crane .004) and way much shorter @.002
and is still big or bigger at .200
It is 50% larger than the DC 260 cam at .275
has a big nose- not a pointy cam designed to show off max lift
Asymmetrical and easy on the close for no bounce
mechanicmark
Well-Known Member
For what it's worth, i got a 72 Demon this summer. It has a mild built 318 consisting of stock bottom end and cylinder heads. It has headers, duel exhaust, and edelbrock performer package. This is the performer manifold (not rpm air gap) 600 cfm. carb. jetted of economy (1406) and their small performer cam, like 204* duration and .420 ish. lift. Car ran best of 15.4 seconds at Earlville this summer with 904 trans. and 2.76 open diff. a very nice running streeter. 17-18 mpg. But boy is that going to change!!
John Cailey
Crizila
Just never heard of .520 as being the accepted max lift before having to cut down the guide bosses? Could be. Variables I was referring to are spring retainers used, keepers used, suggested ( by the cam Mfg.) spring installed height, new guide installation height. At any rate, I didn't have a clearance problem with my set up.
I have read that about Magnum heads.
Not bad numbers. Ever run at Cedar Falls?
Thanks. Bookmarked.
John Cailey
Crizila
Yes, very good numbers for that combo - and I am sure a fun streeter to drive. Pic is checking installed spring height on Magnum heads going on my 318 in my 74 Duster. Seals installed, and clearance to bottom of retainers was checked next with "light" checking springs, both on intake and exhaust. I might ad that 7 of the 8 chambers on these heads were cracked between the valves ( typical for Magnum motors of this vintage - 1996). Had stellite seats put in which solved the problem. No coolant leaks.
danielr410
Active Member
Read tons of pages here and there, but so much info and opinions I'm getting confused, especially for my application.
Have a 66 dart with a stock 318 (only have dual exhaust) 2 bbl carter and stock iron intake. Want to get more fun driving it but thinking of more of low end torque than high end RMP (Don´t think I'm going to exceed 5.000 RPM at all).
I'm planing a cam switch as a first upgrade, definitely want a 4bbl later but will have to wait at least a year. My dilemma is if there's a way of gaining power only with a cam switch? Have these in mind:
Summit Racing® Classic Cam and Lifter Kits SUM-K6900
Summit Racing® Cam Kits SUM-K50052
Leaning towards k50052 but don't know if I'm going to actually loose power. I'll be OK if I just pick up 5 HP and be ready for the later 4bbl swap.
Any advice?
Have a 66 dart with a stock 318 (only have dual exhaust) 2 bbl carter and stock iron intake. Want to get more fun driving it but thinking of more of low end torque than high end RMP (Don´t think I'm going to exceed 5.000 RPM at all).
I'm planing a cam switch as a first upgrade, definitely want a 4bbl later but will have to wait at least a year. My dilemma is if there's a way of gaining power only with a cam switch? Have these in mind:
Summit Racing® Classic Cam and Lifter Kits SUM-K6900
Summit Racing® Cam Kits SUM-K50052
Leaning towards k50052 but don't know if I'm going to actually loose power. I'll be OK if I just pick up 5 HP and be ready for the later 4bbl swap.
Any advice?
Welcome to FABO Daniel. If your 66 has the original engine it will be a 273. 318's weren't available in Darts until 1968. 273's also had solid lifter cams and you can convert a 273 to hydraulic with the right parts to go with it.
danielr410
Active Member
Thanks, it's actually a 318. The car originally had the Slant 6 but I did put the 318 in.
You're good then.
danielr410
Active Member
Are you saying I'm good with any of those cams?
Forgot to say my 318 is from 1975 so I guess is a low compression engine.
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Sounds like a cam swap and a 4 barrel intake would be a good time to do both. You will have the intake off for either project. Good that you have dual exhaust already. Just don't over cam or you will be chasing your tail trying to make it all work by adding high stall converters and steep rear gears. And no sense in performance cam when using a 2 barrel. The Jones cam the guys talk about in previous posts sounds like a good one. It is designed for what you are doing. I have a 2 barrel 318 in my Swinger that I have plans to upgrade. Thinking serious about that cam. I have a LD4B intake and a 650 AVS2 and 340 manifolds for my dual exhaust.
The K6900 is the milder of the two. It would be my choice.Are you saying I'm good with any of those cams?
Forgot to say my 318 is from 1975 so I guess is a low compression engine.
danielr410
Active Member
Do you think It would gain some (not a lot obviously) power with that one?
Sounds like I should be thinking more of adding a 4bbl than a cam, the thing is that my budget right now is like $200 for and upgrade and where I am there is no way I can get a 4bbl cast iron intake easily and cheap.
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