L 78 rebuild
 

Dear Gurus
In the process of rebuilding my 1968 396
The motor is in great shape, stock bore, etc
M22 tranny, 373 12 bolt, etc
I am thinking I want to step up the cam a bit
My Nova is a true L78 car, all numbers match etc
Want to have fun and protect its value
Any advice/ opinions would be great
Ty https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif

Re: L 78 rebuild
 

If you are going to keep it original with stock manifolds I would stay with the L-78 Solid cam from Crane. It sounds good and works well with stock manifolds. With headers, I would step up to one of the solid grinds from Comp Cams possibly an extreme energy version with 230 to 240 dergrees @ .050 and .540 to .560 lift. Dont forget a good 3 angle valve job on the heads while you are in there. For an L-78 car, you gotta have that solid lifter "rattle".

Paul

Re: L 78 rebuild
 

The blueprint cam from GM/Crane is the one to buy...there are lots of other places to look for power before that cam starts holding you back...https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/burnout.gif

Re: L 78 rebuild
 

Thanks for the info
I am running Hookers, and will go to the step up
Appreciate the specs
Ty

Re: L 78 rebuild
 

Thamks
I appreciate everyones thoughts
I have always been into small blocks, I want to do it right the first time
Ty

Re: L 78 rebuild
 

That GM/Crane cam would be a monster with headers also...a local truck puller here ran a spec LS6 in the modified stock(?) class, with large tube headers, and that thing was a monster...he's since turned one of his dated LS6s into an LS7, and has successfully ran that combo for several years...

Re: L 78 rebuild
 

What are you looking to do with this car? You're asking about a cam here, a firing order swap in another thread, but mention you're sticking with the original block and other original parts...?

By sticking with the bone stock original parts and keeping the compression at a safe 10:1 you could easily see 350-375hp at the wheels...step up the compression a bit and 400+ at the wheels would be a no brainer.

Re: L 78 rebuild
 

Rob
Are you talking about the direct L78 replacement cam that Crane offers?
That is what the machinist wants me to run, and I have the tendency to go the next step up
Ty

Re: L 78 rebuild
 

Yep...that's what we run in our all L72s, and what all the L78/L72/LS6 guys in our class run...it's a GREAT cam. We've tickled 116mph in our 3750 *Pure Stock* Y-Camaro...the thing's makin' some beans...

Re: L 78 rebuild
 

My 70 L78 was rebuilt dead stock (.30 over) with factory (and verified) 11;1 compression and NOS Factory L78 cam put in it, dead stock orig heads (hardened seats,factory size valves)dead stock original Holley 4557, dead stock orig distributor and headers, dyno'd (racing fuel) 422 HP at 5900 just about 400 lbs torque. Engine builder said headers probably added 20 hp + -. There you go SULLY