Camshaft

[chevroletrucks]

I realize this is not the engine section, but I was wondering what some of you guys have run for cams in your 4 wheel drives? I have a 71 gmc with a 350 that I'm building and I've narrowed my cam choices down to either the Summit 1102 or the 1103. After researching a little, the 1103 seems to have a little bit of a lumpy idle which sounds awesome but throws the power curve a little higher. This truck will be just a driver and head turner for the most part however I will be plowing a couple driveways with it. Not a commercial plowtruck just my driveway, neighbors etc. Is the 1103 too much cam for this? Should I stick with a lower power curve of idle to 4,500 with no lope?

[chas350]

Need more info to make any recommendations intake, trans, gearing tires etc.
But i can tell you the 1102 is a copy of the legendary Edlebrock Performer Cam and has tremendous off idle torgue and keeps pulling to 5k or so when used with the matching intake and a 600 cfm carb with headers. I loved that cam in my 78 K10 with 11.50 32's

[chevroletrucks]

Good point, its a stock cast iron 4-barrel intake and I plan on using the original q-jet carb. It has a 4in lift on it now and has the stock 3:73 gear ratio, and I'm running 315-75-16 tires on 16x8 wheels. The trans is the original 4-speed sm465? with a np205 transfer-case.

[yellow70GMC]

i have a 350 with a performer intake, 1406 carb, stock crank and bottom end, 1.52 roller tip rockers, headers, and the camshaft has the same specs as the 1102 you're looking at and just like chas350 says it makes awesome torque off the line. if you're going to be using your truck for work at all and the motor is mostly stock, i would probably go with the 1102. imo it's pretty silly to buy a cam just for a lopey sound. it's usually more practical to have an engine that makes power where you want it rather than an engine that just sounds like it makes alot of power

[wildwilly4x4]

When I used to run small blocks in my rigs, I really liked to use a single pattern cam from crane. I dont remember the PN, but it .454 lift on both sides, 114 lobe separation, and mild duration, I dont remember exactly. Its a very mild cam that combines well with vortec heads. On 4x4s I always buy a timing chain kit that allows you to advance the cam timing 3 degrees. Doing so really makes the motor alot more responsive on the bottom end, and doesnt seem to affect it in the upper end (4500-5000 rpm) since thats about all you'll ever turn a mild 4x4 engine.

[chevroletrucks]

I agree, I just love the sound of a small block with a slight lope. Your right though, to be practical I need the lower end torque. Thanks for the advice fella's

[chas350]

I would look for a deal on the performer intake, it really does make a difference.
My son and I are about to do the same cam/intake in his 83 K20, it has a power/Rv type cam (unknown specs, rec by local engine shop to prior owner) and the stock ci intake with an Edlebrock carb, and it is nowhere as powerful as the performer cam/intake combo especially low end. Spend the extra money and get the intake also, you wont be sorry.

[turp mcspray]

FWIW, I have a stock 350 in one of my blazers. Only parts not stock are a set of headers, and the 1103 cam. I don't think it has ANY lope to it at all. I was running 35" tires and 4.10 gears. I thought it was a very mild cam. Either one should work out fine for you.