143 Blueprint Cam Install

[kwhizz]

First off................Thanks to Jim and Rob for their efforts in getting these Cams made...When I built my70 Nova a couple of years ago, I just bought a Generic L-78 camshaft figuring that a Cam is a Cam.......Well.....the Nova ended up being a "Pooch".....I was dis-appointed with the power that the Engine made and it sounded pretty Tame...
Just finished installing the Blueprinted Cam purchased here.......After the cam break-in......it now Idles with a an Attitude and the throttle response is right there.....It's raining out now so I can't take it out and find out how much difference there is........Tomorrow.....LOL

Ripping it apart....

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/kwhizz/Cam%20Change/DSC03811.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/kwhizz/Cam%20Change/DSC03812.jpg


After the Install breaking the Cam in.......

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/kwhizz/Cam%20Change/th_MOV03813.jpg (http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/kwhizz/Cam%20Change/?action=view&current=MOV03813.flv)

Ken http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/BruceRocks.gif

[Chevy454]

Good stuff, Ken! I'm guessing you'll be the first to get some drive time on one of these GM143 cams...btw, how'd you setup the cam, straight up, advanced, retarded? Inquiring minds wanna know...http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/naughty.gif

[kwhizz]

Straight up.............

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http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/BruceRocks.gif

[Salvatore]

Good deal ken! I woke up to the sound of a BB nova in my ears! Sounds like some power! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[m22mike]

Ken.....Nice http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

Mike http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/Can-I-Have-It.gif

[WILMASBOYL78]

Please fill your washer bottle up to the top prior to driving.... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[Xplantdad]

Awesome...simply awesome!

Ken would have been done sooner if I hadn't called... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[JLerum]

Well, guys we are hoping that the cam exceed everyone's expectations. When Rob and I discussed this thing, we asked Bullet to measure every lobe on the master cam we sent and duplicate the best lobe of the 16 lobes. We asked them to use this lobe as the master lobe for this blue printed camshaft trying to make something good even better.

For those number crunching the lobe measures [email protected] and [email protected]. The instructions on the camshaft that they use for max open spring pressure are conservative. Your instructions stated no more than 330lbs spring pressure because they want you to sleep well with minimal wear with your camshaft. Crane suggested when they made this camshaft, spring pressures of 120 closed and 310 on the open. If you are a 4 speed I would not run any less if your aggressive or race track driven. Performance range of this cam is suggested 3000 to 6400RPM. Valve float was 7000RPM with the Crane spring pressures. Remember to break the cam in with reduced spring pressure. Brad Penn oil or anybrand with the high zinc content would be smart. I hope this helps with your setup and break-in.


For the guys racing and pulling gears with standard solid lifters they do not advise more than 370lbs open pressure on the EP-2 core. With the EDM lifters, they suggest no more than 400lbs on the core. Using these high pressures, the idle should be increased so that the crank helps lube the cam at the low RPM. You must have reduced spring pressures for the breakin with this over the nose pressure from the spring.



Jim http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif
<font color="red">Keeping your car USA-1</font>

[ORIGLS6]

[ QUOTE ]
......it now Idles with a an Attitude and the throttle response is right there.....

[/ QUOTE ]

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[kwhizz]

Well.......I had trouble breaking the tires loose before.....LOL......That's not an issue any longer.....Wow...What a difference.....Here's a short video

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/kwhizz/Cam%20Change/th_MOV03830.jpg (http://s13.photobucket.com/albums/a251/kwhizz/Cam%20Change/?action=view&amp;current=MOV03830.flv)


Ken http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Salvatore]

Man KWHIZZ-NO that sounds great! Got to install a set of headers now!!! Come on! Who says old guys don't rock?? http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worship.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[Xplantdad]

Very cool! Take Paulette for a ride...we need some "in car" video! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

[69Tom]

Sounds awesome Ken. I'm really glad I ordered that cam.
Love your Nova. Fantastic color.

[kwhizz]

Forgot to mention that I used the Joe Gibb break-in oil along with the supplied lube on the cam......I set the valves with the Intake off and brought the engine to TDC...before putting the Intake back on I spread the rest of the Cam lube on the Lobes thru the opening in the lifter valley....That way I didn't have to turn the engine over at all before starting , this kept the Maximum lube at the point of contact at start-up....Back filled the Carb thru the Vent tube also.....It started after about a half a revolution and took it right up to 3000..... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

Ken http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/BruceRocks.gif

[WILMASBOYL78]

Looked at the video...engine sounds great, but your gas tank is too shiney http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[kwhizz]

[ QUOTE ]
Looked at the video...engine sounds great, but your gas tank is too shiney http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I replaced the Original because it had that Black undercoating on half of it........It seemed like a Good idea at the time.....LOL.......we all live and learn http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hmmm.gif.....and it was in perfect shape...Duhhhhh!!!

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[TDW]

Ken...What cam was in it before the change?

[Keith Tedford]

What exactly is the difference between this cam and the original L78 piece. I picked up one of these cams a couple of years ago but haven't used it yet. I've had a couple L78 cars and rode in quite a few back in the day. In stock form, none of them were all that impressive. Perhaps this cam is just what our car needs. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[kwhizz]

[ QUOTE ]
Ken...What cam was in it before the change?

[/ QUOTE ]

It was a Generic L-78 Cam that was in a Engine Kit......So, I really don't know........

Ken http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/BruceRocks.gif

[Salvatore]

Did good Ken! Car sounds real strong! I liked your machine shop video also! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[1968 nova ss]

Sounding good Ken, my 396 /375 hp 68 nova will be, up and running soon.Can"t wait to hear that sound.we all can thanks rob Clary and Jim Lerum in the chevy camp for this camshaft.Chris Teed

[L78steve]

I have the 143 Crane made cam and it doesn't run worth a darn with the manifolds and the correct dual exhaust .But it sounds good .I need to try headers and a twin muffler set up and see what happens .

[Chevy454]

[ QUOTE ]
I have the 143 Crane made cam and it doesn't run worth a darn with the manifolds and the correct dual exhaust .But it sounds good .I need to try headers and a twin muffler set up and see what happens .

[/ QUOTE ]
I don't wanna sound like a *douche*, but I'll say there's a good chance it ain't the manifolds/exhaust that's hurting the performance...even if it's the original 2.5" exhaust [actually &lt;2" in spots] it'll still let a BBC do it's thing.

[JLerum]

[ QUOTE ]
I have the 143 Crane made cam and it doesn't run worth a darn with the manifolds and the correct dual exhaust .But it sounds good .I need to try headers and a twin muffler set up and see what happens .

[/ QUOTE ]

We have seen this camshaft work very well at the drag strip with decent exhaust. I agree with Rob, it's not the camshaft that is holding you up. If it is then you are very light on the compression. 396/375 motors have made 450 on the dyno with that camshaft.

More camshafts and lifters on the way to those who have ordered. Rob will PM you if its coming to your door.

Jim

[L78steve]

I still think its the exhaust .The car has great torque until the revs increase then it just holds back .Its at the paint shop now,when I get it back I will do some more looking .

[Chevy454]

[ QUOTE ]
I still think its the exhaust .The car has great torque until the revs increase then it just holds back .Its at the paint shop now,when I get it back I will do some more looking .

[/ QUOTE ]
Just as a point of reference, our Y-Camaro put down ~370hp to the wheels through the original manifolds &amp; chambered exhaust, on a 10:1 *bone stock* L72 build...went mid-high 12s @ 108 at a 3700-3800 race weight on Polyglass, running pump gas. With a little more compression, the car now runs high-11s @ 117+, through the same original exhaust manifolds , and a Pypes 2.5" transverese muffler...both engines would easily rev to 7k+. Terry Pennington's Camaro runs high 10s @ 130+ through the exact same exhaust manifolds in the F.A.S.T. class...

One problem I've seen before exhaust-wise is, the flapper in the passenger side down pipe get stuck shut &amp; cause some problems. Any idea where your timing/jetting are?

[larry_csa]

Valve springs
Larry

[L78steve]

Valve springs are originals but were checked .Timing is at 36 total,jetting is 70 primary and stock secondarys on a 4557 carb.The engine has 15,000 miles not rebuilt .My next move will be to set it at TDC and check the mark on the balancer to see if it has moved .I get no spark knock with pump premium and 11:1 comp .

[Keith Tedford]

If you plan on running this car, get rid of those stock valve springs. They either (A) broke and dropped a valve, or (B) couldn't keep up with the cam allowing the valve to free fall shut at high rpm. This eventually pounded the keepers through the retainer allowing a dropped valve again. These are the main reasons that there aren't too many original L78s and L72 out there. We didn't seem to have any problem with the L88 springs in the old days.

[Mr70]

That was true to a point.
For 1970 model production,Chevrolet used a more dureable BB valve spring that avoided dropped valves @ higher RPM.
During 1968-9,they started to see an increase in BB warranty claims filed do to unreliable valve springs,so they used the stronger #3970627 to replace the weaker #3859911 spring.
L-88's were exclusive to the #3916164 spring.

[L78steve]

What springs do you guy's recommend ?I baby this thing but would like to twist it up if needed .

[Chevy454]

[ QUOTE ]
What springs do you guy's recommend ?I baby this thing but would like to twist it up if needed .

[/ QUOTE ]
Any modern made spring should be fine...they won't have to be anything special for a "stock" cam, so just call Comp/Isky/Bullet/whomever and they'll be able to fix you up. IIRC, in our L72s we're running the springs that came with the Gm/Crane blueprint cam on one engine, and a set of Comps in another...

[JoeG]

Cam/lifters arrived today O.K.,,,,,,,,,,I appreciate the legwork guys........... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/beers.gif

[JRSully]

Got mine too, Thx

[69Tom]

Got mine as well sometime before I went back to Phoenix last weekend. Haven't opened it yet as I was busy working on my 442, but much appreciated guys.

[1969grb]

Received mine also. Thank you to all involved in this purchase. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggthumpup.gif Grady http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[elonblock]

Received mine and it looks great!

Thanks,

Elon

[JLerum]

We are very close to finishing this up. If you are going to jump in you better call Rob. LAST CALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jim

[nuch_ss396]

[ QUOTE ]
I have the 143 Crane made cam and it doesn't run worth a darn with the manifolds and the correct dual exhaust .But it sounds good .I need to try headers and a twin muffler set up and see what happens .

[/ QUOTE ]

Steve,

I'd definately replace the original springs ASAP. Take a
trip to the dyno and see what you actually have. Remember
I mentioned that the idle seemed too tame for an L/78.......?

How was the distributor curve setup? There can be a few
issues working together here to rob power. The dyne may
help you identify what they are.

Nuch

[169indy]

Just got Mine Today, PNW.

Thanks for your efforts.

Install in 2010 I hope. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/burnout.gif

Jim W