327/350 HP cam in 283

[Bob B.]

Hi all,

I have a 283 245 HP engine that has a 327/350 HP cam in it. I haven't installed or started the engine. Someone told me that this would yield poor low-end torque and that I ought to put the stock cam back in it. I am not going to hot rod the car this engine goes in. So, should I take the 327/350HP cam out and put the stock one in?

Thanks,

Bob

[Joe R.]

Re: 327/350 HP cam in 283

Bob,

Yes, you should immediately take the 151 cam out and send it to me!

Jokes aside!!!!! The 350 151 cam is a great cam and has great torque at low end.

The earlier 365 and 375 cam along with the LT-1 (dog) has NO torque!

JR

[Jimmy G.]

Re: 327/350 HP cam in 283

Agree keep it Best cam (overall) that Chevrolet ever made

[Duke W.]

Re: 327/350 HP cam in 283

It will have less low end torque than the OE cam, but a little better than the Duntov cam in the 270.

[Bob B.]

Re: 327/350 HP cam in 283

Joe & Jimmy,

Thanks for your answers that make sense. It didn't make sense that the same cam with X lift and X duration in a larger displacement 327 with larger valves would perform differently in a smaller displacement 283 with smaller valves. It seemed like six of one and a half dozen of the other to me.

Bob

Bob

[Joe R.]

Re: 327/350 HP cam in 283

Joe & Jimmy,

Thanks for your answers that make sense. It didn't make sense that the same cam with X lift and X duration in a larger displacement 327 with larger valves would perform differently in a smaller displacement 283 with smaller valves. It seemed like six of one and a half dozen of the other to me.

Bob

Bob

Actually, it does make sense. Larger displacement engines are more tolerant (smoother idle, more vacuum) of long duration, high overlap cams.

That being said, the L79 327/350 is a great all-around street cam for the 327. It will idle a little worse in a 283 and have less low-end torque than it would have in a 327, but I'd still leave it in the 283 provided you have a manual trans. It will have a rather lumpy idle at around 750 rpm, but will still be an entirely reasonable performance street cam for a 283. Far better than the 30-30 cam or the LT-1 cam.

[Bruce B.]

Re: 327/350 HP cam in 283

I had a 283 250 HP FI engine with the 151 cam, perfect, good vacuum (114 LSA), great performance and sounded great.
I also have a 327 with the 151 cam with Hilborn injection which I converted to EFI, again perfect for the application.
But I do miss the sound of solid lifters which I have in my 340 HP 62 Corvette.