I am building my 64 L76, Has anyone used the comp cams Nostalgia Plus 12-673-4 cam? They clam is has the same exhaust note as the GM 30-30 cam. Would this cam be a better choice than the Gm? I want to keep the original sound but I was told by the engine builder that there are better cams made today than the GM 30-30. Any suggestions on cam?http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/c...?csid=232&sb=2
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Last edited by Jaime M.; February 5, 2011, 09:09 PM. -
Re: Has anyone run the comp cams Nostalgia Plus N+30-30S
Jaimie; Yes I built my engine with this cam because my original was worn on 2 lobes, one had lost .060" lift. The new cam is advanced 4deg. with the straight up chain set. Another advantage is the extra lift; .012" lash vs .030"; goes into the overall valve lift for a little more power. I broke it in on my 65 fuelie and settled in on 830 rpm's. With my original side exhaust on it sounds like a WWII war bird in the garage. VERY HAPPY so far. David H. -
Re: Has anyone run the comp cams Nostalgia Plus N+30-30S
I recommend against using aftermarket cams, and Comp Cams is one I avoid because they don't Parkerized their cams, and they have a reputation for wiping lobes.
"Nostalgia" and "blueprint" cams or whatever the advertising buzzword are often NOT manufactured to the original GM specifications as called out on the drawing number that corresponds to the "ID number" on the camshaft, and they may need higher force/rate valve springs, which can reduce reliability and durability.
Federal Mogul (Speed Pro and Sealed Power brands) and Crane DO manufacture OE cams to the original specs (and they Parkerize them), and the F-M cams can be bought at any NAPA store.
If you want to build a broad torque bandwidth high power SHP small block that pulls from off-idle to 7000+ revs, search "327 LT-1" on this site and follow the links to the other sites for more discussions including dyno tests.
I have recently read recommendations to advance the 30-30 cam four degrees to achieve more low end torque for this notoriously torque-shy cam.
It's very simple. If you have to advance an OE cam to achieve adequate low end torque, THE CAM IS TOO BIG for your driving environment.
That's why I recommend the LT-1 cam for mechanical lifter SB rebuilds and even the L-79. Chevrolet designed the LT-1 cam, which uses the L-72 lobe on the inlet side and the 30-30 lobe on the exhaust side because they realized the 30-30 was too big for a decent high performance road engine (but it's a good racing cam), and when the LT-1 cam was released, the 30-30 was discontinued from service and the LT-1 cam became the service replacement for all previous 30-30 applications. Ask yourself why.
Some claim they can tell the difference in idle between the Duntov, 30-30, and LT-1 cams. I say bunk, and those who have actually made the switch from the Duntov or 30-30 to the LT-1 cam say they can't detect a difference.
There are lots of camshaft discussion here. Unfortuately they are long on opinions and short on facts, but you should do some research in the archives, anyway.
DukeComment
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Re: Has anyone run the comp cams Nostalgia Plus N+30-30S
How does the 63 360 HP fuelie cam differ and what newer cam is recommended?Comment
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Re: Has anyone run the comp cams Nostalgia Plus N+30-30S
The Duntov cam, which was used up to 1963 in all mechanical lifter small blocks begining in 1957 was designed in 1956 for the small displacement/small port engines of the era and before Chevrolet had a very good understanding of valvetrain dynamics.
Use of the Optron to view actual valve motion rapidly increased Chevrolet's understanding of the SB valve train in the early sixties, and all designs beginning with the 30-30 cam incorporated the lessons as did the L-79 cam, all big block cams, and new base engine cam for 1967.
The LT-1 cam, which was the final SB mechanical lifter cam design incorporated the two existing lobes as I described in a previous post in this thread with the recognition that the 30-30 cam had gone too far for a good broad torque bandwidth high performance road engine.
That's why I recommend the LT-1 cam. All other things equal, it makes more low end torque than the 30-30 with about the same top end power and is easy on the valvetrain.
DukeComment
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