350 upgrade: can I use stock camshaft?

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Bram Stolk - 14 Aug 2005 14:11 GMT

Hi there,

I have a stock '75 camaro with 350 engine, 2-barrel
carb that did 145hp from factory.

What I did so far: replace exhaust manifold with headers,
and new dual exhausts.

So now, the engine can exhale properly. But the power is
still very modest, so I want to tackle the inhaling
process.

I am considering a Edelbrock carb and Edelbrock intake.
My garage wants to combine this with a new cam.
I figure that a camshaft upgrade is rather invasive,
and takes time and money.

My question to the gurus here:
Does a new carb + new intake make sense without replacing
the camshaft? Or will I only see HP improvement if I
do all three?

Thanks!

Bram Stolk

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RSCamaro - 14 Aug 2005 23:54 GMT

>My question to the gurus here:
>Does a new carb + new intake make sense without replacing
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Bram Stolk

If you put an intake and carbeurator without replacing the cam then in
all likelyhood you'll end up with a bog monster. As in every time you
put your foot to the floor the carbeurator will be trying to stuff
more air and fuel into the engine than the valves are opening to
accept. A good mechanic may be able to tune it to the old cam but the
power gains I think will be negligable.

A well matched intake, cam, and carb package that uses your heads and
piston to their full effects is what you want for the most bang for
the dollar. A cam kit generally will only set you back at most $100
before the mechanics mark up.

...Ron
--
68' Camaro RS
88' Firebird Formula
00' Mustang GT Vert

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Bram Stolk - 15 Aug 2005 11:38 GMT

> If you put an intake and carbeurator without replacing the cam then in
> all likelyhood you'll end up with a bog monster. As in every time you
> put your foot to the floor the carbeurator will be trying to stuff
> more air and fuel into the engine than the valves are opening to
> accept. A good mechanic may be able to tune it to the old cam but the
> power gains I think will be negligable.

Thanks Ron,

This is valuable info for me.
I will go for the full monty then.

I hope my post-oilcrisis neutered camaro will growl like a proper
camaro, after this.

Bram

> --
> 68' Camaro RS
> 88' Firebird Formula
> 00' Mustang GT Vert

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