How to choose the right camshaft for a Pontiac engine?

The table below will help you select the right camshaft for your Pontiac engine. The first column contains the intended use or application category. (Stock, daily driver, street-strip, etc) The other columns to the right, contain the intake duration of a cam at .050″ lift.

What kind of torque does a camshaft have?

Cruise RPM 1600-2200 Strong low & mid range torque, daily driving. Cruise RPM 2200-2700 Strong low & mid range torque, daily driving. Cruise RPM 2600-300. Most popular cam. 350-455. Works with stock parts. H-O Ent. Strong mid range torque, street & mild bracket.

How many camshafts did Pontiac use in 1968?

A look back at six different cams that Pontiac used in the 1968 engines illustrates Pontiac’s design goals, and will provide a quick overview of the effects of cam timing/duration (see chart, below). Pontiac cams will be referred to by the last three digits of their part numbers.

Why did Pontiac use wide LSAs on their cams?

Therefore Pontiac used wide LSAs on all factory cams. Also, remember that peak horsepower occurs for only a very short time in the upper rpm range, and it has very little effect on the overall performance of a vehicle that uses the total rpm range, from idle up.

When did Pontiac start using 067 camshafts?

Upon initial installation of a 455 in the wagon in 1986, an 067 cam was installed. At that time, stock heads and intake manifold were used, and several other engine components or accessories were slightly different.

What are the different levels of Pontiac camshafts?

Performance level 5 – Ultra-Action – All range camshaft for heavy car, high stall with compression and headers. Performance level 5 – Ultra-Action – Radical mid-range cam, shifts at 6500 rpm with a redline of 7000. Performance level 5 – Ultra-Action – Large cid camshaft (455 cid or bigger). Smashing mid-range power hit and top end performer.

Where does the torque come from on a Pontiac camshaft?

Note that the rpm at which maximum torque is developed increases a whopping 1,000 rpm from the 066 to the 041. That means the strong torque range was moved from the lower rpm range to the higher range. As a result, there is very little torque left in the lower rpm range with the 041.

Which is the best Level 2 camshaft profile?

Level 2 profiles are for individuals that require more power and an extended rpm range. Works well with stock or near-stock engines and drive trains in a lightly modified street engine. These camshafts provide excellent low end and mid-range power for spirited street, off road driving or mild marine applications.

How big is the intake manifold in a Pontiac?

An essential copy of the cast-iron manifold, the runners were raised about .125 inch to match the cylinder head intake ports and improve airflow. To isolate the manifold from excess heat, a separate cast-iron exhaust crossover connects the cylinder heads.

What are the specs of a stock Pontiac?

Stock Pontiac Cams Cam Adv Intake Duration Adv Exhaust Duration Int Duration @ .050″ Ex Duration @ .050″ 9779066 273 282 200 210 9779067 273 289 200 213 9779068 288 302 212 225 9785744 301 313 224 236

What should the intake cam be on a 326?

The applicable range in the hypothetical is 210-225; gearing and 4 speed allows for a higher duration so a cam with 220 to 225 intake duration should work pretty well. Note: the bigger the displacement the smoother the idle. Therefore, a 326 with a 220 intake cam will have a very lopey idle in contrast to the same grind working in a 455.

When did the Pontiac 400 engine come out?

Pontiac introduced the 400 cubic inch V-8 in performance oriented cars in 1967, and continued to make the engine available through 1979. The 400 is a bored out 389, which had been in use for a few years. Pontiac typically changed engine sizes by modifying the internal workings instead of the outward size,…

What was the compression ratio of the Pontiac 400?

Compression ratio had gone down to 7.6:1. When introduced in 1967, the 400 engine was available on most Pontiacs, from the GTO that had a 115-inch wheelbase, to the Firebird with its 108-inch wheelbase, as well as the Bonneville, Catalina and Executive on either a 121- or 124-inch wheelbase.

Why was a four barrel carburetor used in the Pontiac 400?

A four-barrel carburetor allowed the engine to have more air, and that resulted in more horsepower for speed. Valve angles and diameters were also adjusted according to the way the engine would be used. Higher performance engines had valve intakes at 2.11 inches and exhaust valves at 1.77 inches.

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