[4mula73]

The cam I had custom ground for my 400 is pretty similar to the Crower 60243 cam, just with less lift and a bit shorter advertised duration. It will be this summer when I get it running, but I'm getting curious as to how it'll sound and behave. Plus I have 4.10 gears right now and I'm thinking that I'll want to swap to a numerically lower gear, but was thinking about how the cam would like it. Any of you guys have any experience with the 60243? Dyno #s? Timeslips?

[The Champ]

I have the 60243 in my '64 GTO's 9.5 to 1 462 with 3.42 gears and a 4spd. No dyno #'s or timeslips.

I'm very happy with it overall. Very streetable in a 462. Tons of torque. I'm looking to change to 3.08 gears.

[chuckies76ta]

I ran the Crower 60243 in a 455 years ago. Pretty mild cam. No H/P or Torque numbers. I would estimate an honest 450 hp.
It sounded really nice with 2.5" dual exhaust with flow master mufflers. I will come off a light pretty good with 4:10 gear, but too much gear for top end.

[Big Injun]

Ken "Ace" Brewer put that cam in Jim Wangers Judge and we could be more happy. It has crisp throttle response and cruises the highway at 3400 rpm getting 14 mpg.

[STEELCITYFIREBIRD]

Originally Posted by 4mula73

The cam I had custom ground for my 400 is pretty similar to the Crower 60243 cam, just with less lift and a bit shorter advertised duration. It will be this summer when I get it running, but I'm getting curious as to how it'll sound and behave. Plus I have 4.10 gears right now and I'm thinking that I'll want to swap to a numerically lower gear, but was thinking about how the cam would like it. Any of you guys have any experience with the 60243? Dyno #s? Timeslips?

Kinda a loaded question, not loaded with info.
Compression ratio (heads and work),actual cam specs, likely will get you better comparables.
Dyno # expectations will vary depending on the top end, from carb to final exit.

Times just too many variables like total weight,rotating weight, heads, chassis, tune,traction,etc.

To make a decent comparison, keep in mind you have a 400 not a 455+.

[4mula73]

Originally Posted by STEELCITYFIREBIRD

Kinda a loaded question, not loaded with info.
Compression ratio (heads and work),actual cam specs, likely will get you better comparables.
Dyno # expectations will vary depending on the top end, from carb to final exit.

Times just too many variables like total weight,rotating weight, heads, chassis, tune,traction,etc.

To make a decent comparison, keep in mind you have a 400 not a 455+.

Sorry, I thought my combo was in my sig. It was at one point, forgot I changed it. Anyways here it is:
.030" over 400, TRW/Speedpro 2262F forged pistons, .003" in the hole
9.44 SCR
Mildly ported 6X-4 using Jim Hand's book, but not going as far as he did. He went to fitting a 1.69" valve down the intake throat, I went to a 1.66" in the throat.
Milling, comp. valve job, 2.11" 1.77" Ferreas, Crower 68404 springs. Heads machine/blueprinted by Butler.
Custom grind cam. Cam card attached. Magnum 1.52 roller tip rockers
Hooker 1.75" 4 tube headers, Pypes 2.5" system with xpipe
Shaker tuned Q-jet (thanks Jeff!)
Port matched Performer intake for now, but will likely switch to an RPM or Crosswind
DUI distributor, tailored advance curve. Will run vac adv as well
Th400, TransGo shift kit, 2500rpm stall, 4.10 gear (for now), 25.6" tire diameter (for now)
In a 73 Formula. Mild weight reduction, no AC. Probably around 3600lb with me in it, and that's guessing more on the heavy side. Won't be a daily driver. Just a fun weekend car that will see track time to get into the racing hobby. Not looking for a record breaker. Honestly if it runs a low 13 in the 1/4 I'll be ecstatic. Will run a radial at the track, probably a 28x10.5

[steve25]

If your springs and retainer to seal clearances will take it ( added .038" lift ) then running 1.65 rockers with the right push Rod will get you all the flow that your rework of the heads as made.

[4mula73]

Originally Posted by steve25

If your springs and retainer to seal clearances will take it ( added .038" lift ) then running 1.65 rockers with the right push Rod will get you all the flow that your rework of the heads as made.

I may make that upgrade along the way. The only thing I may be worried about is piston to valve clearance since I'm using a .027" cometic head gasket to bump my compression. Was at 9.1 SCR with .041" gaskets. I'll be measuring my current clearance when checking rocker geometry. I think I'll be safe, but I definitely want to check. Any thoughts?

[STEELCITYFIREBIRD]

Something to consider
With your pistons .003" in and .027 gaskets, that gives you a quench distance of .030.
Depending where/how the .003" # was measured on the pistons, ( hopefully that is consistent on all 8, and/or that is the lowest at the edge of piston)

Piston to head(quench pad) is getting pretty close.

When you fit things real tight, you better make sure everything is measured just right.

Could end up an expensive testing of the boundaries.
You'll likely turn it around 6k?
Myself, I'd use a little thicker gasket... and give myself a little room.

Sounds like a nice 400, don't read about many on here, everything is 455+.

Factory rods?
Curious on why the custom grind cam?

[4mula73]

Originally Posted by STEELCITYFIREBIRD

Something to consider
With your pistons .003" in and .027 gaskets, that gives you a quench distance of .030.
Depending where/how the .003" # was measured on the pistons, ( hopefully that is consistent on all 8, and/or that is the lowest at the edge of piston)

Piston to head(quench pad) is getting pretty close.

When you fit things real tight, you better make sure everything is measured just right.

Could end up an expensive testing of the boundaries.
You'll likely turn it around 6k.
Myself, I'd use a little thicker gasket... and give myself a little room.

Sounds like a nice 400, don't read about many on here, everything is 455+.

Factory rods?
Curious on why the custom grind cam?

Deck HT was measured at the center of the piston, so I understand there may be some piston rock involved. Factory rods with ARP bolts. Planning on shifting around 5500 or so, but I'll play it by ear and see what it wants, hoping the rods hold together. Clearances were good with the crank/rods/mains/thrust so hopefully it will hold together. This was a budget build from the start. Some things I spent more on to have done right, such as having my heads done by Butler (sans porting), and my qjet done by Shaker455. The only block I could find at the time I started was one of the 500557 blocks. Yes I've been educated on them. I understand I'll be pushing the limits of the block. If it goes, that's all the more reason to do a 455 or a 400/461 stroker next with more power. This was originally going to be a daily driver with 8.2 SCR using an XE256 cam. As the build progressed, I no longer needed a daily driver, so I started changing some things. A friend of mine referred the cam to me. He spec'd it out for a very similar build in a 67 GTO. I had a connection at comp cams, so I got the custom grind done for a good price. I figured a decent little ~400hp/450tq 400 woild be a fun street car and would be a good way to start getting some seat time at the track to introduce myself to the racing hobby.

[4mula73]

Originally Posted by STEELCITYFIREBIRD

Something to consider
With your pistons .003" in and .027 gaskets, that gives you a quench distance of .030.
Depending where/how the .003" # was measured on the pistons, ( hopefully that is consistent on all 8, and/or that is the lowest at the edge of piston)

Piston to head(quench pad) is getting pretty close.

When you fit things real tight, you better make sure everything is measured just right.

Could end up an expensive testing of the boundaries.
You'll likely turn it around 6k?
Myself, I'd use a little thicker gasket... and give myself a little room.

Thinking about it, these are forged pistons that are known to rock. The rods will likely stretch a couple thousandths at higher rpm, right? I'd much rather not worry about my head surfaces becoming rudely acquainted with my pistons. With the Fel-Pro 8518 gaskets, I'd be at 9.14 SCR. I'm at 9.44 with the .027" gaskets. I think I'd feel safer with .042-0.44" quench than .030" quench distance, though. Would the 0.30 compression drop hurt me though? It wouldn't be enough to significantly hurt power production or to make the cam "too big," right? The ramps are still relatively quick: 276-228=48 (int) and 284-236=48 (exh). I'd hate to destroy my engine that I've poured so much time and money into because I was too stupid and stubborn to listen to advice and run a little thicker gasket.