Thread: Early Headed 355 manual camshaft recomendations

Hello all
I'm chasing 400/420hp out of a 355 I'm building. what camshaft spec's do you recomend
MUST be Hydraulic NON roller style cam
Here are the specs
Heads flow enough to make 450/460 Hp springs will cope with .580 lift
355 cubes
11.3:1 comp
Strip master manifold (will need a bit of porting)
750 Holley
Premium unleaded
Bosch electronic dizzy with a MSD Blaster II coil
Pacemaker try Y pipes twin 2.5" free flowing system
5 speed manual in a SS Hatch
Is this possible?
tell me what you think
If you want any more info just ask

Crane H286 or H304.

What diff gears do you have mate?

If you would consider a solid cam, this engine would love a Crane 280 or similar.

You could email Camtech and see what they offer, too.

Will diff gears make a difference to flywheel Hp?

That's a fair bit of comp for a small cam be careful you don't end up with to much cranking comp. I wouldn't look at anything but a roller very affordable if you shop in the rite places you can achieve that hp with a standard stroke deal

Originally Posted by beetle123

Will diff gears make a difference to flywheel Hp?

No! but will you be driving with this engine, or are you entering Engine Masters competition?

hhahaahahh na no engine masters gona drive it. I did suspect the comp might be a bit high but it didn't have any issues with cranking or starting previously and it drove quite well. Only difference this time is the car will be manual it used to be T400, cam change bit more comp and full freshen up. And yes it ran on PULP. Pistons have 8cc valve relieves. 55cc chambers. I haven't pre-assembled yet but had to get block decked and believe pistons will be proud approx 010 to 015" but basic calcs tell me around 11.3:1 i could be wrong though? happy for anyone to double check. 4.030 bore, 3.480 stroke 1.425CH piston

Originally Posted by beetle123

hhahaahahh na no engine masters gona drive it. I did suspect the comp might be a bit high but it didn't have any issues with cranking or starting previously and it drove quite well. Only difference this time is the car will be manual it used to be T400, cam change bit more comp and full freshen up. And yes it ran on PULP. Pistons have 8cc valve relieves. 55cc chambers. I haven't pre-assembled yet but had to get block decked and believe pistons will be proud approx 010 to 015" but basic calcs tell me around 11.3:1 i could be wrong though? happy for anyone to double check. 4.030 bore, 3.480 stroke 1.425CH piston

Cracking comp well cylnd pressure Is critical it doesn't anything to do with starting the engine you may want to do some reading on this .any reason why u don't want to run a hyd roller

Ring camtech, crow crane etc as they will can grind whatever you want and have far more of an idea then most of us yobbos on a forum...

As above I would be looking very much at hydraulic roller.
I went with crow on my 355 I am building and have used there drop in roller lifters on a non roller block and there custom cam for a turbo application. Ie Max rpm is 6500 rpm. Wasn't much more expensive then an off the self grind.
My heads are double valve spring etc so can step up later if I go solid or bigger lift etc.


It will end up around 240-250 @50 on a narrow lobe separation angle. With around 550thou lift in your application.

Make it sound pissed off by using a narrow Lsa would be my opinion

Ring Clive Cams or crow do a big flat tappet hydraulic, I think 246@50 square and .55x lift.
Would you consider running e85? That'll cope with high cylinder pressures no worries.

i'd go with the solid as well..

Originally Posted by Bill355

It it were me I would be using a solid not hydraulic cam.

Crane CC280 or Cam Tech 606.

Strip Master would be ok with a decent amount of porting, but a torquepower single would be better.

You will wanna make sure the heads are big enough or they will choke it . . . ask me how I know!!

You reckon Beetle might have used the same builder?