396/375 cam for street 454? - Page 2

YenkoYS100 · #1 03-19-2006, 01:16 AM

I was living in Calif. when I bought mine from an undercover Downey Cop. It was white with red interior. Started life as 6 cyl. stick. I sold her to the guy in Tx. Tom Jacobsen picked up the car for Delmer from me. I'll try to find my pics.

Keith Tedford · #2 03-19-2006, 01:35 AM

I had an L78 cam in a '66 360 hp 396 4 speed Beaumont. It worked fine and got excellent gas mileage as well. In our L78s and especially the L72, this cam is excellent for the street. The cam lift specs include the valve lash, so you are actually running slightly under .500" lift. If you plan on turning 6K plus rpm, make sure that you install better than stock valve springs or you run a good chance of dropping a valve sooner or later. This caused the demise of most L78 and L72 engines, including the original engine in our L78 Chevelle.

indyjps · #3 03-19-2006, 01:44 AM

its a good cam, i think youll make more power without sacrificing anything with an aftermarket grind from comp cams or equivalent.

nuch_ss396 · #4 03-23-2006, 07:18 AM

This is an interesting topic. I can't say I ever thought
about that combo before. Could you basically use this cam
with an L/34 bottom end & heads? What intake would be
recommended?

These L/78 cams are so hard to come by these days. Who would be a good recommendation for a "blueprinted" cam to
match original specifications? (Comp Cams, Crae, etc. )

Steve

**Stefano** · #5 03-23-2006, 07:30 AM

Jim Pace parts Wharehouse has an L78 cam kit for a great price. It is a blueprinted version ground by one of the big names. I have run several of these in the past with no issues.

Chevy454 · #6 03-23-2006, 07:39 AM

Nuch: go with the GM blueprint cam made by Crane...us Pure Stock guys have already done the leg work and tried the other brands, and the GM/Crane piece is worth the money...the part # from GM will be 12364057...from Crane it's part # 19038.

**Stefano** · #7 03-23-2006, 07:48 AM

Yeah, what he said, same cam.

nuch_ss396 · #8 03-25-2006, 03:28 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Nuch: go with the GM blueprint cam made by Crane...us Pure Stock guys have already done the leg work and tried the other brands, and the GM/Crane piece is worth the money...the part # from GM will be 12364057...from Crane it's part # 19038.

[/ QUOTE ]

Rob,

Thanks for the input. Just one other associated question
for you. I have heard a number of opinions about the solid
lifters for these cams and which ones to use. I've been
told that the NOS GM lifters are the best by far. Man, they
do go for major bucks on eBay.

I was informed that the aftermarket lifters aren't ground
properly on the bottom face ( rides against the cam lobe ).
What's your take on this issue?

Steve

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