Mild cam upgrade for 69 L-68 suggestions?

[Douglas C.]

Hi all,

Would appreciate suggestions for a mild Hyd. cam upgrade for my stock 69 L-68. Want smooth idle so thinking keeping a LSA of around the 114 degree range, close to stock.

Thanks,

Doug

[Gene M.]

[Douglas C.]

Re: Mild cam upgrade for 69 L-68 suggestions?

Hi Gene. Yes, that 2162 was the first one I had on my list. The duration @ .050 is very close to the stock cam, but a good amount more lift. My car is a 4 speed with 3:70 rear and I have a Pertronix III ignition module that is set @ 5,500 rpm rev limit, just to keep things safe.

Thanks for the opinion. Doug

[Duke W.]

Re: Mild cam upgrade for 69 L-68 suggestions?

What's wrong with the OE cam? What are you trying to accomplish swapping it out with an aftermarket cam?

More lift on similar duration means more valve spring force is required or the lifters pump up earlier, and more spring force places higher force on all valve train components including the lobe-lifter interface.

Duke

[Douglas C.]

Re: Mild cam upgrade for 69 L-68 suggestions?

What's wrong with the OE cam? What are you trying to accomplish swapping it out with an aftermarket cam?

More lift on similar duration means more valve spring force is required or the lifters pump up earlier, and more spring force places higher force on all valve train components including the lobe-lifter interface.

Duke

Whoops, I should have been more clear. The previous owner put in a Comp Cam Magnum 280, 110 LSA, .530 lift. I wanted to bring it back to the stock range but add a small upgrade. So, I thought the Edelbrock 2162 would be a good choice, or someting similar. Suggestions appreciated.

[Duke W.]

Re: Mild cam upgrade for 69 L-68 suggestions?

It's tough to beat most OE cams for torque bandwidth and properly engineered valve train dynamics, and if you've limited revs to 5500 you don't need "more cam." This cam is a lot closer to the L-79 cam than the 327/300 cam, and it has an excellent combination of decent idle behavior, low end torque, and top end power in a big block with warrantablle valve train life. It's an excellent road engine cam.

The exact OE replacement is Sealed Power CS1093M, which you can buy from NAPA. It's also available in a Clevite box: 229-1953.

I think one of the fastest cars from 30-80 (second and third gear, which is MY test for useable road engine performance) I ever rode in was a '67 with a 427/400, CR four-speed and 3.70 axle. The trips didn't really add that much. It's the monster low and mid range torque that those two engines produce.

Duke

PS - those two part numbers are from my notes, so verify the part number before you buy.

[Douglas C.]

Re: Mild cam upgrade for 69 L-68 suggestions?

It's tough to beat the OE cams for torque bandwidth and properly engineered valve train dynamics, and if you've limited revs to 5500 you don't need "more cam."

The exact OE replacement is Sealed Power CS1093M, which you can buy from NAPA. It's also available in a Clevite box - 229-1953.


Duke

Thanks, yes, maybe the dead bone stock cam makes sense. Do they have correct full kit; cam, springs, lifters? I would also use stock rocker arms. The engine I'm told is .30 over with mild head work.

Doug

[Duke W.]

Re: Mild cam upgrade for 69 L-68 suggestions?

Check www.napaonline.com

If you need any other OE parts Sealed Power and Clevite should have them. They are the same as the GMPD-boxed parts you buy from a GM dealer.

The only issue is valve springs as I am not aware of any replacements for the second design dual-spring setup that went into production circa 1969 model year. Hopefully your engine has them.

Duke