Hopefully this will translate into basic hot rodding 101 and guys won't be annoyed at the Brand-X question. Don't worry, I still eat, sleep and fart Mopar.
Anyway, here's the deal. Sometime in the next few months, I will be tasked with building up my good friend's '68 GTO with the 350-hp 400. It's the original engine - it's never been apart and he says it's tired. He's not Ricky Racer - it will rarely see the high side of 5K and serves as just a weekend/nice weather driver. The Poncho 400 is all about stump-pulling torque, the car grunts pretty well but he's looking for more performance.
I've found the cam I'd like to use but I'm not sure about the drivability - anyone use a Comp Cams XE268? What I'm trying to discern is whether it's too much for that type of application. It is of course a rather big car and has power brakes.
Here's the rest of the combo I'm thinking about: As stated, Comp XE268, stock bottom end, stock iron heads w. 3 angle valve job, mill heads to bump compression a little, (not sure exactly what compression I'm after just yet, probably 9.5 -10:1) Comp valvetrain with basic 1.5 roller-tip rockers, Performer RPM manifold, Holley 750 w. vac. secs., HEI ignition, decent headers with full dual exhaust using 40 Series Flowmasters and a B+M Holeshot converter in front of a rebuilt Turbo 400. Really, just your basic warmed-up muscle car. He wants to fry the tires at will but also wants to enjoy the ride without the temperamental race-car vibe.
I'm debating on whether to use the Holley, I might convince him to go with an Edelbrock carb to take advantage of the smaller primaries, but I think he wants the Holley just to say he has one. No mech. secs. in any event.
The other internal debate I'm having is whether to stay with the stock converter or get the Holeshot or an equivalent. I think the other stuff is matched OK but maybe a little better convertor would help the overall pakcage.
Thoughts on the XE268 cam in relation the rest of the combo please! Sorry for the Brand-X post!
Anyway, here's the deal. Sometime in the next few months, I will be tasked with building up my good friend's '68 GTO with the 350-hp 400. It's the original engine - it's never been apart and he says it's tired. He's not Ricky Racer - it will rarely see the high side of 5K and serves as just a weekend/nice weather driver. The Poncho 400 is all about stump-pulling torque, the car grunts pretty well but he's looking for more performance.
I've found the cam I'd like to use but I'm not sure about the drivability - anyone use a Comp Cams XE268? What I'm trying to discern is whether it's too much for that type of application. It is of course a rather big car and has power brakes.
Here's the rest of the combo I'm thinking about: As stated, Comp XE268, stock bottom end, stock iron heads w. 3 angle valve job, mill heads to bump compression a little, (not sure exactly what compression I'm after just yet, probably 9.5 -10:1) Comp valvetrain with basic 1.5 roller-tip rockers, Performer RPM manifold, Holley 750 w. vac. secs., HEI ignition, decent headers with full dual exhaust using 40 Series Flowmasters and a B+M Holeshot converter in front of a rebuilt Turbo 400. Really, just your basic warmed-up muscle car. He wants to fry the tires at will but also wants to enjoy the ride without the temperamental race-car vibe.
I'm debating on whether to use the Holley, I might convince him to go with an Edelbrock carb to take advantage of the smaller primaries, but I think he wants the Holley just to say he has one. No mech. secs. in any event.
The other internal debate I'm having is whether to stay with the stock converter or get the Holeshot or an equivalent. I think the other stuff is matched OK but maybe a little better convertor would help the overall pakcage.
Thoughts on the XE268 cam in relation the rest of the combo please! Sorry for the Brand-X post!
