Roller Cam Specs for 340
First is valve lift, and this particular cam has different lift for intake and exhaust: .811" int.; .801" exh. (a very high lift cam for a 340)
Next, it also has different duration for int. & exh., 305° int.; 295° exh. (a very long duration cam) Duration is the number of degrees of crankshaft rotation that the lifter is off the cam's base circle and opening or closing the valve. The "@.050" means this is measured between the lifter rising .050", and .050" before it returns to the base circle.
The 102 is also a measurement in degrees, but in this case it is ground into the cam and is the angle between the centerlines of the intake and exhaust lobes. Don't confuse this with installed centerline, which advances or retards the cam. 102° LSA is considered very "tight" centerlines and is a race only cam. The cam in question would make big power, but there would be many other very expensive engine requirements to use its full potential; like high compression ratio, ported heads, massive valve springs, heavy duty valve train parts, etc.
Plus the car would require a loose converter (high stall speed) and low (high numerically) rear end gearing because the power range will be well above idle, probably 3500 rpm or more. But it will pull to 8500 rpm or more :)
All that said, the best advice I can give for your situation is settle on your intended use, the other components of your build, and then get a cam recommendation from a reputable engine builder. Because ultimately it is all about the combination, not just picking parts based on their specs.
Hey Ethan, let me commend you for your candor regarding cam spec knowledge - it's how we learn. There's a lot to know about cams, but these are the basics. The cam in question has these specs: ".811/.801 305/295 @.050 ground on a 102" but the "decode" pertains to any cam. What you are seeing is valve lift, duration, and lobe separation angle - often just called LSA. Lets break it down further:
First is valve lift, and this particular cam has different lift for intake and exhaust: .811" int.; .801" exh. (a very high lift cam for a 340)
Next, it also has different duration for int. & exh., 305° int.; 295° exh. (a very long duration cam) Duration is the number of degrees of crankshaft rotation that the lifter is off the cam's base circle and opening or closing the valve. The "@.050" means this is measured between the lifter rising .050", and .050" before it returns to the base circle.
The 102 is also a measurement in degrees, but in this case it is ground into the cam and is the angle between the centerlines of the intake and exhaust lobes. Don't confuse this with installed centerline, which advances or retards the cam. 102° LSA is considered very "tight" centerlines and is a race only cam. The cam in question would make big power, but there would be many other very expensive engine requirements to use its full potential; like high compression ratio, ported heads, massive valve springs, heavy duty valve train parts, etc.
Plus the car would require a loose converter (high stall speed) and low (high numerically) rear end gearing because the power range will be well above idle, probably 3500 rpm or more. But it will pull to 8500 rpm or more :)
All that said, the best advice I can give for your situation is settle on your intended use, the other components of your build, and then get a cam recommendation from a reputable engine builder. Because ultimately it is all about the combination, not just picking parts based on their specs.