I would like it to have the low end torque for around town light to light. I'm also going to put my 8 1/4 with 3.23s in too
coming from 2.45s, 3.23s are a 32% improvement, off the line.
I would like it to sound good and have the low end torque for around town light to light. I'm also going to put my 8 1/4 with 3.23s in too
Any next bigger cam, installed with a later-closing intake valve angle, will give up cylinder pressure, and thus have LESS power from idle on up to close to the torque peak or even after. Each 3.5 degree later closing Ica (about 1 cam size represents about 5psi.
Going from a 240 cam(stock) to 252(a 360 cam) is 12*, and half is on the intake side so 6* of pressure loss, so 9psi, about; depending on where they were installed at.
If you are starting with a low compression 318, in Cedar Springs: elevation 856ft, your pressure may already be less than 130psi, so you cannot afford to lose ANY more pressure.
If you decide to put a cam into it, it better be a solid-lifter type, which installs at or near the same ICA; else you will be disappointed.
If after the 3.23s are in, you feel you still need more snap off the line, then install a hi-stall TC, something like a 2800, which my LA318 really liked, also with 3.23s.
The next go to is a higher compression ratio.
and the cam is thus last, cuz now you are set up for it.
I would like it to sound good
At sub 8/1 Scr this should not be on your list, and if you put it there with no other changes, prepare to be slow to 35 (or more) mph with those 2.45s. Or 25mph with 3.23s..
I like this;
If you're not willing to change springs, then don't even think about changing the cam.
and this;
That usually means around 248 degrees advertised. Lift you want around .420 on the intake and .450 on the exhaust
and this;
Your best bet would be to get a complete cam package (cam, lifters, & springs) so all of the components will work together. Having the heads checked & getting a quality valve job done will give you peace of mind that everything will work together. Spending a little money now beats spending a lot of money later. Mixing & matching pieces can be a nightmare.
There are ONLY two things wrong with using a 318 for a modest performance increase;
1)the lousy cylinder pressure,
2)the lousy cylinder pressure,
Everything is reasonably fine until someone installs a cam with a later closing intake angle; instantly, with no other changes,making a bad situation worse.
If you want more snap off the line, your #1 modification should be a higher stall TC.
If you need to sustain that snap, your #2 modification is rear gears.
If you need more power everywhere,in first gear then you need to increase the cylinder pressure.
If you need more power in second gear,at higher rpms, THEN you need a bigger cam; but be advised, a bigger cam always always, with no other changes, trades away low-rpm power to get that higher rpm power; that's just the way it is. ......
Idle lope is a by-product of bigger cam, and tells you how much the low-rpm operation has been compromised. If you put a cam into your lo-C 318, big enough to notice the lope, with no other changes; you will just have created a big lazy dog of an engine from stall to ~3200(or higher). With 3.23s, 3200 is about 30 mph, with a 25.5" tall tire.This is the opposite of what you want.