Hello All,
First thanks for all the info on the last post I had made, I called Comp Cams to ask about a few questions and the response I recieved from them on the XE268 ws that it MIGHT pass smog but a better choice would be the HE268 as it already has a C.A.R.B. cert on it. What are your thoughts? Should I throw caution to the wind and get the XE and see if it passes, or should I play the safe route and get the HE? Thanks for all the help.


August

In CA. go for the CARB certified one. Afterwords change the Rockers to a 1.6:1 and get more from that CAM. If you have stock heads only change out the intake rockers.

Just my $0.02 worth. I have the XE 268 and would like to have a bigger cam but I don't like the XE 274 not even with my 1.6:1 rockers. I am still pondering what I'll end up doing. For now the 268 is a good cam and has a little lope and adds some good torque so I am not unhappy with what I have just want more. :D

ElkyPete,
Thanks for the info again! I will order the HE268, on the heads I'm probably going to get a head job done on my stock ones, if I do should I put the 1.6:1 rockers on the intake and exhaust or shouldI just do the intake like you stated for the stock heads?


August

268H. Even the 268H could be more cam that you want since you want a smooth idle, etc..
Expect you have the TH200R4 & 3.73 gears.

SirVette,
I don't have 3.73 gears, I will be installing 3.42's shortly. Do you think the cam will be to lopy(sp)? The HE268, is it the same cam as the 268H? If you have some insight please share as I love to learn about this stuff and I feel you can never have enough info.


August

August

Never too lopey.
:cool:

Yes, the HE268 is commonly called 268H.
It would be lopey in a 350. The issue is- is it too much for what you want.
You said smooth idle, fuel economy, etc. For smooth idle & fuel economy, your cam is close now.

Assuming 4spd 0/D auto., rec. more gears like 3.73 min. or lower like 4.11 even better. That would help your launch w/ 305 & the O/D would give good fuel economy at speed.

Then do cam for perf.- HE268.

Never too lopey.

:cool:

SirVette,
I also would like a power increase over the cam I have now, that's an edelbrock 3706 I believe, it's the one they have thats smog legal. I also have a performer intake, thorley headers, and custom exhaust along with a ZZ4 chip. I think the above would produce a power increase with the 268H, what do you think?


August

Since I have the XE268 I can say the idle is a bit "lopey" its not a smooth idle but its not bad. I would do a stall converter with it something like 2000 to 2500. But you don't absoultly have to. It is going to make the brakes feel a bit more spongy it has, well the XE268 has only something like 8 kg of vacuum at speed and its ratings are 1800 to 6500 RPM. So its not an idler.

I have a 2100 RPM B&M, I don't like it at all and don't recomend them for a "Good Converter" but I hear TCI makes a good one. I am going to have one made when I replace the 350 THD with an overdrive 200R4. So for now I have a really crappy stall converter. A good converter will give you a much better idle in gear.

Just some things to consider. :D

ElkyPete,
What I have to get out here is the HE268 not the XE268, I assume the HE has a smoother idle than the XE but also won't make as much HP either, am I correct in this assumption? By the way how do you go about finding which stall converter is right for you? That's one peice of the puzzle I have no clue on.


August

SirVette,
... I think the above would produce a power increase with the 268H, what do you think?


August

Previously you gave your specs. from 3702.

Yes, much more power from about 3000 up.

SirVette,
Sorry, I was suffering from fingers working to fast mind not paying attention syndrome. You are correct it is a 3702 cam. :oops:


August

also, if you wanted to play-around,you could install a 2-piece timing cover and remove the smog cam after it gets smogged, then later on i would run different cams and see what works better. Comp Cams and others sell the 2-piece covers and its very simple to chage a cam over with this set-up. I Have one on the 78 and have tried "several" cams over the years and the best cam for my 383 was a comp cam XR288HR with 2500-6000RPM. I installed the 1:6:1 and 1:7:1 Roller rockers, but did not see a big difference,so iam with the 1:6 on all, and iam very happy with it,but this is just what i did,the timing cover would give you a edge and a easy way later to upgrade if you wish, but choose what has the best overall power-band and budget for your particular set-up. Good Luck!