gears and converter for an L78 cammed big block
 

what do you all recoomend for minimum converter and gears for a
BBC with the L78 cam, oval ports, iron intake, tuned qjet, manifolds.

i'm not having a ton of "smile" with 3.31s and 2400 converter in a Monte!

Cheers

454?

A Monte is pretty heavy -- even with a 454 makin' goobs of torque. Back in the day we ran a 3:91 and they pulled real well ... TAZ :burnout:

yes 454

I know this is splitting hairs, but in a 454 that is an LS6 cam.

same cam

Gears/Convertor...
 

I would think a 3.55 - 3.73 range with a quality convertor 2600-2800 would do the trick. You might want to check with ATI and give them your specs and possible rear gears and see what they recommend. Another thing to consider is the transmission...is it bone stock? shift kit? performance governor?...

The original L78/LS6 packages had a HD TH400, 6 lug convertor and a special governor that allowed for high rpm shifts...around 6200 rpm.

If the rpm's don't scare you, then 4.10's will really make it jump.

-wilma

yes it is the LS6 Cam..

its an Elgin copy - E905P (if i remember correctly - but the specs are spot on)
i have it degreed in 2advance

i have the old log type manifolds on the car which I'm sure is killing it above 4500 rpm - really don't wanna go with headers, but i'd consider going with the long branch corvette style that I believe will fit.

i have a set of 3.73s for the car - will install them this summer.

converter now is a B&M holeshot 2400 - but it could probably be much happier with a 3000 converter for quick starts - i just don't like that slippery converter feel for a nearly daily driven vehicle.

If you put the 4:10 gear in it -- it will really haul donkey ... good luck!! TAZ :scholar:

ok - well do you uys tend to believe that the L78/L72/LS6 etc. cam is the end all be all street-strip cam for a 10:1 BBC?

i'd happily consider a cam swap to something a little more favorable to a heavy car with taller gears - but i'm not interested in a crazy roller setup or one of those super aggressive ramp profile grinds that all the cam companies want to sell

cheers