383 Camshaft Selection

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lswans

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I am in the final throws of acquiring parts to assemble a 383 that is going into my 68 383-S Cuda four speed w/3.23 SG.

Block is .030 with forged crank. Heads are 906 heads that were pocket ported bowl blended with 2.14 / 1.81 valves (was running on an 11 sec Dart).

Planning on running hyd lifters, headers, stock intake, and stock carb.

Not racing - just street driving.

What I want is a cam that gives "the sound" at idle that we all love - with lots of low end torque - that is streetable.

Not asking for camshaft theory - just a manufacturer name and a part number from someone who has made the right selection!!

Thanks in advance.
 
The smallest Comp Thumpr would fit the bill nicely.
 
Rusty hit it with that one, i think that would be a good choice, its a size up from the smallest
 
Stock or adjustable rockers? And I assume those heads are machined for dual valve springs, if need be?

I guess what I'm getting at is, how stout do you want it to be? There are a lot of "streetable" quick ramp hydraulic cams available that require a "dual" spring.

Depending on the circumstances, and with the 4spd, I might personally entertain the Comp. 275DEH.....http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/cam-specs/Details.aspx?csid=716&sb=0
 
I love this cam, Comp part # 21-310-4 Grind # CRB 286H-8.. A mild cam that sounds great,performs great, and has over 50,000 street miles and still going strong. Man that thing cackles at idle, and was developed for a stick shift.
 
O-M-R is right on the 'dial'.

Comp Cams
Part.....................#21-406-4
Grind................... 275-DEH

Lift..................... .462"/.482"
Duration............... 275*/282*
Duration @ .050" .. 219*/235*
LSA..................... 110*
Overlap................ 60*

We just popped that 'bumpstick' in a 383 for one of our customers.

Has a nice 'choppy idle', and good mid-range power, with an
'extra' kick on the high-end.

Pulls great from 1800 to 5500 RPM's.

A great 'Street High-Performance Hydraulic Camshaft'.

And you can use the Comp Cams #911-16 Valve Springs, which
are Heavy-Duty Single Coil w/Damper, which are good up to
6500 RPM's.

* Load Rate..... #122 lbs. Valve Closed
* Load Rate..... #309 lbs. Valve Open
 
We put a cam in my son's old 383 that was 230 @ .050 duration and around .490 lift. Pulled hard past 6,000 and was very streetable. The car did have a four speed.
 
As a newbie... I love this website. Straight answers from Mo-bro's - with part numbers like I asked. Thanks so much guys - I appreciate it!
 
Forgot to reply directly to OMR. Here is the info that I on the springs etc..

Heads were outfitted with stainless 2.14 / 1.81 3/8 stem ferrea valves, 3/8 Teflon positive valve seals, 7 degree chrome moly retainers, heat treated machine locks, and hi perf springs with 100 lbs seat pressure good for aprox 525 lift cam.

Thanks again
 

I put a mopar perf stock 440 six pack cam in my 68 383 .
runs great and the power brakes works.
 
Forgot to reply directly to OMR. Here is the info that I on the springs etc..

While I can't be positive on what springs your heads will accept, the fact that they have had valve and seal work, and that they have previously been on a 11sec engine leads me to believe that the will accept a dual spring, if needed?

With that said, my choice of cam with the 275DEH would only require a single spring. The reason I went there is because you want some sound, and it will give you that, and even though your running headers, the split duration should have a nice power curve with a full exhaust system, plus be very friendly to the valvetrain for street use. I do believe the idle quality not having to be up against a converter with the manual will sound good, and be very drivable.

Obviously it won't sound like a 10/11sec bracket car, but people will know you're running a non stock cam. I just try and put my head into the questions here as if it was my car...and that's what I came up with. It's really just one opinion of what could be many :).

There are tons of cam grinds out there, especially if you want to sound racy. Don't jump to conclusions, do your homework, and make a choice that you're comfortable with.

Good Luck choosing, and by all means, Be Safe and Have Fun with your car. :thumbrig:
 
On the advice of Don Dulmage, for my 383 I went with a Comp Cams "Nostalgia Series" cam looking for the same chacteristiscs as you: Aggressive sound but good street manners. This series is specifically designed for this.

I used this one:

Summit Racing Part Number: CCA-21-670-4

UPC: 036584070399
Cam Style: Hydraulic flat tappet
Basic Operating RPM Range: 2,000-6,000
Intake Duration at 050 inch Lift: 233
Exhaust Duration at 050 inch Lift: 240
Duration at 050 inch Lift: 233 int./240 exh.
Advertised Intake Duration: 280
Advertised Exhaust Duration: 287
Advertised Duration: 280 int./287 exh.
Intake Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.474 in.
Exhaust Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.474 in.
Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.474 int./0.474 exh.
Lobe Separation (degrees): 108
Camshaft Gear Attachment: 1-bolt
Computer-Controlled Compatible: No
Grind Number: CRB 280H PP474
Valve Springs Required: Yes

http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/cam-specs/Details.aspx?csid=717&sb=2

And have been very satisfied.
 
Forgot to reply directly to OMR. Here is the info that I on the springs etc..

Heads were outfitted with stainless 2.14 / 1.81 3/8 stem ferrea valves, 3/8 Teflon positive valve seals, 7 degree chrome moly retainers, heat treated machine locks, and hi perf springs with 100 lbs seat pressure good for aprox 525 lift cam.

Thanks again

I see you stated that you're staying with the 'stock' Intake and 'stock' Carburetor.
* Cast Iron Intake #2806301
* Carter AVS {630 CFM}

Is this correct.
 
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