57 Duntov cam

[Billy B.]

Hi. I need an EXACT Duntov cam for my 57 fuelie. Does anybody have experience or knowledge of the BEST and most authentic Duntov cam available??

[John H.]

Re: 57 Duntov cam

Billy -

Federal-Mogul/Speed-Pro #CS-113R; Jeff Reade (advertises in the "Driveline", page 95 in the current issue) also sells what he says is an exact duplicate.

[Billy B.]

Re: 57 Duntov cam

Thanks. Have you ever had ( or known someone who's had) experience with either of these cams in a 57 fuelie? Thanks.

[Jim B.]

Re: 57 Duntov cam

PM sent to you

[Jerry G.]

Re: 57 Duntov cam

From what I've read of Chevrolet's engineering reports during the time period they weren't that good for street application. They were problematic and an internal rival cam design actually produced more power and torque. Not much but some. Duke is the cam expert so I would follow his advice. Not sure why you wouldn't benefit yourself from 53 years of experience available today. Just my thought. Jerry

[Clem Z.]

Re: 57 Duntov cam

From what I've read of Chevrolet's engineering reports during the time period they weren't that good for street application. They were problematic and an internal rival cam design actually produced more power and torque. Not much but some. Duke is the cam expert so I would follow his advice. Not sure why you wouldn't benefit yourself from 53 years of experience available today. Just my thought. Jerry

these cams were designed to be used in racing with open exhaust. back in the day the racers had to use a stock cam and GM wanted to make sure the guys racing chevys with open exhaust had the advantage. street driving was not the main object of the design.

[Billy B.]

Re: 57 Duntov cam

Thanks for the info. I am sorry, but who is "Duke"?

From what I've read of Chevrolet's engineering reports during the time period they weren't that good for street application. They were problematic and an internal rival cam design actually produced more power and torque. Not much but some. Duke is the cam expert so I would follow his advice. Not sure why you wouldn't benefit yourself from 53 years of experience available today. Just my thought. Jerry

[Steven B.]

Re: 57 Duntov cam

From what I've read of Chevrolet's engineering reports during the time period they weren't that good for street application. They were problematic and an internal rival cam design actually produced more power and torque. Not much but some. Duke is the cam expert so I would follow his advice. Not sure why you wouldn't benefit yourself from 53 years of experience available today. Just my thought. Jerry

Jerry, by todays standards the 097 cam was a bit "rough" on the street, I agree. I used to drive around town in 2nd and 3rd with a 3.70 sometimes out of necessity and sometimes just for fun. That was a time when every stop sign and traffic signal was a staging lane. At the time I never felt the cam was a problem but rather my ticket to winning and grinning. Those times have passed, unfortunately, when we had to tame our machines. When it came time for a rebuild years ago I did install a more street friendly cam, but one that also gave me more torque and HP. Progress is good---it just doesn't feel the same or maybe our memories are selective. I sure miss that rumble, though. 'Glad I have a couple of 097's on the shelf.

Steve

[Michael H.]

Re: 57 Duntov cam

I'm really surprised to hear that anyone thinks the original 097 cam is "too much for street operation". Really? Or am I reading this wrong?

I think it's a wonderful cam for all around street operation and it sounds "Corvette".

[Clem Z.]

Re: 57 Duntov cam

I'm really surprised to hear that anyone thinks the original 097 cam is "too much for street operation". Really? Or am I reading this wrong?

I think it's a wonderful cam for all around street operation and it sounds "Corvette".

worked great with 4.11 rear gear and if you want to run a 3.08 with a CR trans you may not like that cam. some people have a problem with turning 4000 RPMs at 80 MPH but i drove my older corvettes thousands of miles like that.

[Duke W.]

Re: 57 Duntov cam

these cams were designed to be used in racing with open exhaust. back in the day the racers had to use a stock cam and GM wanted to make sure the guys racing chevys with open exhaust had the advantage. street driving was not the main object of the design.

That's correct, and it applies even more so to the later 30-30 cam.

The Duntov lobes are symmetrical and have rather harsh dynamics even though lift is low. The cam also has too much overlap for typical road driving that we do today.

The L-79 cam is a very good substitute, and with proper valve spring setup setup, lifter pump up can be delayed to 6500+.

Another suggestion I have made several times is to have the Duntov cam custom ground by Crane with POMLs of 110/118 which is a LSA of 114 - same as the L-79 cam - which reduces overlap and essentially it becomes a mechanical lifter version of the L-79, albeit with a little less lift. The L-79 cam will probably make a little more power and better low end torque with a tamer idle and better low speed manners.

Duke

[Tom P.]

Re: 57 Duntov cam

Jerry, by todays standards the 097 cam was a bit "rough" on the street, I agree. I used to drive around town in 2nd and 3rd with a 3.70 sometimes out of necessity and sometimes just for fun. That was a time when every stop sign and traffic signal was a staging lane. At the time I never felt the cam was a problem but rather my ticket to winning and grinning. Those times have passed, unfortunately, when we had to tame our machines. When it came time for a rebuild years ago I did install a more street friendly cam, but one that also gave me more torque and HP. Progress is good---it just doesn't feel the same or maybe our memories are selective. I sure miss that rumble, though. 'Glad I have a couple of 097's on the shelf.

Steve

I'm 67, and every stop light is STILL a staging lane for the 56--------------and frequently for the Chevelle or the Cutlass!
I just love to let the ricers get several car lengths out there then run up beside them in 1st and hammer the dog poopy out of 2nd. It's all over then.
I may be growing older----------------but I'll never grow up!

[Bruce B.]

Re: 57 Duntov cam

I have the L-79 , 350 HP 327 hydraulic lifters cam in my 250 HP FI 57 and the car sounds and runs great. The only problem is I miss the solid lifter noise.
Granted my setup is not high performance by any means but the cam is really friendly with my 4360 Rochester FI.

[Michael H.]

Re: 57 Duntov cam

I'm 67, and every stop light is STILL a staging lane for the 56--------------and frequently for the Chevelle or the Cutlass!
I just love to let the ricers get several car lengths out there then run up beside them in 1st and hammer the dog poopy out of 2nd. It's all over then.
I may be growing older----------------but I'll never grow up!

I'm 64, and I like to hear those solid lifters clicking, too. It's just part of it. Old Corvettes are supposed to sound like they have a somewhat racy cam.

I doubt many restorers really care about how much HP their engine makes or how fast the car is.

[John D.]

Re: 57 Duntov cam

So who is this Duke guy anyhow???

Meanwhile there is nothing wrong with the Duntov 097 cam. Probably one of the best cams ever made for a Corvette from 57 to 63. Not real radical yet it sounds mean and still puts out a lot of vacuum at idle.
My 63, the LWC has a CS113R cam in it even though I had the chance to put in a NOS 3736097 cam right out of the tube. At about 900 RPM it has about 16" of vacuum. The old 63 FI loves that cam.
Plan B: Another good replacement 097 is Elgin Pro Stock by Elgin Industries.
Part # E900-P or E-900P. Whatever.
Now Dukes LT1 cam is good also. Who is that masked man.???