[95ramairformula]

Its been a awhile since I posted and performance never really improved with the 60916 cam, in the low compression 400. I don't like the 3.73's and I am planning a change. Going back to factory exhaust manifolds and mufflers. No more headers. Exhaust will still be true duals.
I am taking a different route. Looks like I will be going to either 3.08 or 3.23 gears.
Looking at either a XE 256 cam or a Summit 2801. Which would be the better of the 2 cams. I beleive I can stay with the stock valve springs with either cam. Will these cams pull to 4800 rpm?
Remember low compression 400 with 6X4 heads, 4speed BW super T10 , 73 firebird as a Formula clone.

I have decided to go with the XE 256 cam 212/218 dur. Problem is I will have 3.73's for a couple of months until I can change to 3.23's How do you think she will run? with the XE 256. Should be a improvement on the bottom end over the 60916 cam. I have decide to keep the headers also.

[PunchT37]

It`ll run fine for now till you change the gears. Should have a sh!t load of low end, especially with the 3.73`s. It will act better on the highway once you swap out the gears.

[95ramairformula]

Yes I agree, the low end should be brutal along with strong midrange with 3.73's. It should be a strong runner with the 3.23's though. Comp says strong low end and midrange torgue with this cam.

[70lemansport]

But can it be used with the stock spri ngs or does it need the suggested ones from comp? Im looking to use it in a 350 with ported #11's.

[Mr. P-Body]

Yes, XE256H and XE262H can be used with stock valve train components. If the springs aren't worn out, it will rev to about 5,200 with XE256H. XE262H would be a better choice, IMO. Good low-end, VERY strong mid-range, with a little top-end thrown in for good measure. Both will DESTROY the Summit generi-grind.

Jim

[95ramairformula]

Mr Pbody
How much more rpms do you think the XE 262 (218/224)will pull than the XE 256 (212/218) and still make power. I have heard the XE cams are real strong bottom end and midrange, but fall off towards the 4500-4800 mark. Thats really ok with me since I don't want to shift any higher than 5k. The 6x4 heads have about 15k on them after a fresh rebuild, from what the previous owner said. So the springs should be good. Isn't the XE 262 to big for a 3.23 gear, 4speed ,to much duration?
So do you think the XE 262 would be a better choice than the XE 256 cam? Sorry for all the questions. There both the same price and I want to get the best one for my application.

[Mr. P-Body]

We (CVMS) use XE262H as a stock "replacement" cam for TriPower engines without port work, and 9:1 compression. In a '66 GTO in Richmond, with 3.23 gears, one I have driven will go strong enough to intimidate the owner. That one has easily made 5,400 RPM I can say for sure. Stock intake and exhaust (logs). XE256H will still pull well to about 5,000. It makes more low-end and idles like a stock "non-performance" cam. XE262H sounds a lot like 068 and 744. Our best seller for stockers.

IMO, too much emphasis is placed on advertised numbers. If you're going to compare cams based on them, be sure to pay attention to what each manufacturer has to say about what to consider WHEN comparing. XE grinds don't "fit" most methods of comparison, just like most UltraDyne grinds don't.

Jim

[70lemansport]

Even in a 350 the 262 wont be too much?

[PunchT37]

Originally Posted by 70lemansport

Even in a 350 the 262 wont be too much?

Not at all. Just a bit more radical than in a 400. The XE series are good for low compress engines.

[95ramairformula]

You will probably need more gear with a 350ci and XE 262. My quess would be 3.42 or 3.55

[Mr. P-Body]

"Radical" is a relative term... (:- It won't sound anything like a Ram Air IV cam in a 400... It will sound more like the 744. And I don't believe the gear will hurt anything. Pretty hard to "tune" the low-end out of a Pontiac, even a 350...

Jim

[70lemansport]

And sorry to be redundent but i just want to make sure with this cam I can run the stock springs and pushrods. So can it be done? Thanks

The springs are new, just stock specs

[95ramairformula]

I am going with the XE 256. Max spring height .455 with this cam. I would rather go with the lower lift on my stock springs vs the XE 262 @ .470 max lift. I know the crower I have now (60916) is at .470 max lift, but that is a symetrical cam. The XE's have the asymetrical lobe design. I want to make sure the lifter stays on the cam lobe on each revolution of the cam. I think I would be pushing the stock springs at .470 lift plus the asymetrical lobe with the XE262. No doubt a very good cam and design, if i had better springs I would run it. I think the XE 256 will be fine, strong low and midrange torque. I am glad I posted this as I almost ordered a 2801 from Summit. I think the Comp will also be a better choice. More expensive but worth it. Thanks everyone

[95ramairformula]

Anyone have any track numbers with the 400ci with the XE256 or XE262 cam? If you do what gearing are you running?