[RedDirtRoad]

I am sure this was discussed before but I cant find the thread.

Does anyone have any reccomedations on cams? I have a 67 GTO YS engine, auto.
My engine rebuilder wants to use an 043 cam. I hear that might be too lumpy and I heard 068 would be better..any suggestions???

[amcmike]

So engine is totally stock? Converter as well? What is your gearing? I couldn't find any info. on a 043 cam, did you mean the 041?

[chiphead]

041 cam is also known as the Ram Air IV cam. Usually came in cars with 10.5 compression, manual trannys and 3.90 gears. There are several companies making various copies of the RAIV cam, some that are good with lower compression or higher gear ratios. The 068 is a decent cam, but there are a dozen common cams we use in these engines. We can make a recommendation if we know the setup.

It all depends on your engine. What compression, fuel octane, carb type, intake, what tranny, rear gears, street or strip, etc???

[RedDirtRoad]

The engine is totally stock, A
factory A/C. 2:73 rear I may pump that up to 3:55, stock 400 turbo trans with a 350 stock converter the GM part number for the cam my builder wants to use is 12364043

[Mr. P-Body]

RDR,

I believe that's one of the "new" grinds GM has thrown into the Performance Parts catelog as a "bone" for we of the "traditional Pontiac" crowd. Pretty rowdy for the application.

We (CVMS) recommend Comp XE grinds, though there are others "out there". For your application, XE262H is ideal. It uses "stock" valve train and stock converter.

Jim

[400 Lemans]

The 12364043 is identical to cranes blueprint 068. The gm cams are made by crane for gm just under different part numbers.I have cam card in hand and is 212in 225ex 408in 407ex.Have ran this cam alot in the past and has very strong torque and healthy idle but not lopey especially with 1.65 rockers.Definately use it with your high compression but also will work good in lower compression motors to.It will also help with any pinging issues .I used to work at a gm dealership and could get all the different grinds for 90.00 or so for cam and lifters. Oh the good ole days.

[chiphead]

What is the LSA on that 043 cam? You want a 112-114 LSA to keep cylinder pressure down to reduce chance of detonation.

Has your builder taken steps to control detonation in the build: Zero decking block, smoothing sharp edges in the chambers, etc? Stock 670 heads with flattop pistons will result in a compression ratio that will require 93 octane and careful tuning to prevent engine damage.

[400 Lemans]

The lsa for gm 12364043 is 115.5 which is perfect for higher compression. Originally ran this with 6x 8 heads on 400 and even with that low of compression it still ran very well. Later changed to 1968 16 big valve heads and performance really picked up.Have since changed to gm 12364047 which is identical to crane 278 cam and 373 12bolt rear. These are both very nice running cams.

[chiphead]

Wow, with a 115 LSA in a high compression 400, that engine should have smooth idle, good low RPM grunt and a torque curve flat like kansas. It'll run out of air by 5000, which is perfect for stock rods and/or unported heads. Which is what he needs if he's running a 2.73 rear and stock converter. The builder may be onto something, if the specs are as 400Lemans says...

I would still suggest aftermarket rods. If you try to "step it up" later, the stock rods are a liability in a high-po engine.

[amcmike]

With the 2.73 gear, a tighter LSA would be good. And if he's not using 1.65 rockers, more cam lift would be better. I think the Summit 2801 would be a better choice.

[Region Warrior]

Yep, the "Pontiac" GM Performance cams are reboxed Cranes.
Was selling them like candy for awhile.
Alittle tame'r grinds, they work will in 9-10 c.r. street ap's.
Have one each 041's and 744hl's left. Been save'n for my cars.
And one(?) thats tame'r then the 068.

[440GP69]

Thats Sounds Like a Factory 068 Cam with the 115.5 LSA, GM doesn't have a a 043 cam, Can you give all the numbers on it you have?

[amcmike]

Originally Posted by 440GP69

Thats Sounds Like a Factory 068 Cam with the 115.5 LSA, GM doesn't have a a 043 cam, Can you give all the numbers on it you have?

He did already in post 4. You can do a google search and it comes up as a GM performance parts cam. So it's not an original factory p/n, it's a newer release.

[400 Lemans]

Not a very clear picture but here it is.

[bobzdar]

If you step the gears up to 3.55's, maybe the Crower 60916? Should be a fun car. Just make sure your valve springs are up to it. Otherwise the 043/068 sounds like a good choice. You can probably add 1.65 rockers with it as well if you go with the 043.

[amcmike]

Originally Posted by 440GP69

Thats Sounds Like a Factory 068 Cam with the 115.5 LSA, GM doesn't have a a 043 cam, Can you give all the numbers on it you have?


----------------------------------------------------------
"I HATE MUDSLIDES"

Man, I must have been tired this morning. I thought you meant the entire part number.

Now why is it you don't like drinks with Bailey's and Kuluha?

[Murf'sDad]

Originally Posted by 400 Lemans

Not a very clear picture but here it is.

That's a Crane cam card. Looks like their "Blueprint" version of the factory 068 cam.

Stewart