Basic Cam Guidelines for Flat Tappet Solid Camshafts
Is this the right cam for me?

1/1/2008


HTL Series Tight Lash Maximum Velocity Solid Camshafts

 
Camshaft P/N Small Block /
Big Block
Intake duration @ .050" tappet lift
Power Range
General engine/chassis requirements
Small Block
Big Block
237
1800
to
5600
1600
to
5600
Street performance. High rise dual plane intake, headers, minimum 3.55:1 rear gears. 3000rpm stall. HP ported Stage I cylinder heads. 160psi suggested cylinder pressure. Replace small street roller.
242
2000
to
6000
2000
to
5800
Street/strip. High rise dual plane or small single plane intake, headers, minimum 3.70:1 rear gears. 3400rpm stall. HP ported Stage I cylinder heads. 170psi suggested cylinder pressure.
246
2100
to
6100
2100
to
5900
Street/strip. High rise dual plane or small single plane intake, headers, minimum 3.70:1 rear gears. 3400rpm stall. HP ported Stage I cylinder heads. 170psi suggested cylinder pressure.
248
2100
to
6100
2100
to
5900
Street/strip. High rise dual plane or small single plane intake, headers, minimum 4.10:1 rear gears. 3400rpm stall. HP ported Stage I cylinder heads. 170psi suggested cylinder pressure.
252
2400
to
6200
2200
to
6200
Hot street/bracket racing. Large dual plane or small single plane intake manifold. 1 7/8" Big Block and 1 " Small Block primary tube headers. 3.91:1 minimum rear gear ratio. 3600+rpm stall speed. HP ported Stage I or II cylinder heads. 180psi suggested cylinder pressure.
256
2600
to
6400
2400
to
6300
Hot street/bracket racing. Single plane intake manifold. 1 7/8" Big Block and 1 " Small Block primary tube headers. 4.10:1 rear gear ratio. 4000rpm stall speed. HP ported Stage II cylinder heads. 190psi suggested cylinder pressure.
260
2900
to
6700
2700
to
6600
Drag strip. Single plane or 3x2bbl intake manifold. Maximum vehicle weight 3700lbs. (Big Blocks), 3400lbs. (Small Blocks) automatics with 4200rpm stall or 4000lbs 4 speed cars. HP ported Stage II or III cylinder heads. 200psi suggested cylinder pressure. 2" Big Block and 1 " Small Block primary tube headers.
264
3000
to
6800
2800
to
6600
Drag strip. Maximum vehicle weight 3100lbs. (Big Blocks), 2900lbs. (Small Blocks) automatics with 4400rpm stall or 4000lbs, 4 speed cars. High rise single plane intake. HP ported Stage II or III cylinder heads. 4.10:1 minimum gear. 215+psi suggested cylinder pressure. 2" Big Block and 1 " Small Block primary tube headers.
268
3200
to
7000
3000
to
6800
Drag strip. Maximum vehicle weight 2800lbs. (Big Blocks), 2500lbs. (Small Blocks) automatics with 5000+rpm stall. High rise single plane intake. HP ported Stage III cylinder heads. 225+psi suggested cylinder pressure. 2 1/8" Big Block and 1 7/8" Small Block primary tube headers.
272
3400
to
7200
3200
to
7200
Drag strip. Very light cars or dragsters. 5000rpm minimum stall. HP ported Stage III cylinder heads or ported aluminum racing heads. 2 1/8" Big Block and 1 7/8" Small Block primary tube headers. 240+psi suggested cylinder pressure.
276
3600
to
7400
3300
to
7300
Drag strip. Very light cars or dragsters or large displacement engines. 5000rpm minimum stall. HP ported Stage III cylinder heads or ported aluminum racing heads. 2 1/8" Big Block and 1 7/8" Small Block primary tube headers. 240+psi suggested cylinder pressure.
280
3700
to
7500
3400
to
7400
Drag strip. Very light cars or dragsters or large displacement engines. 5000rpm minimum stall. HP ported Stage III cylinder heads or ported aluminum racing heads. 2 1/8" Big Block and 1 7/8" Small Block primary tube headers. 240+psi suggested cylinder pressure.
282
3800
to
7500
3600
to
7400
Very light vehicles, very high stall speed, very low gears, very wide tires and hold on!


Note: The HTL series of camshafts give the maximum performance available with a flat tappet camshaft and .904" diameter lifter. When used with 1.6:1 ratio rockers they will achieve lift rates and performance of a roller tappet camshaft. Also similar to a roller camshaft, the HTL cams give very wide, flat power curves, but piston to valve clearances must be checked closely.

Power Ranges: These are the "sweet spot" in the power range. Generally we suggest shifting at 300-500 RPM above the "sweet spot" for the best ET's. If you need more power above the shown power range, select the next larger camshaft. If you need more power below the shown power range, select the next smaller camshaft. If you keep your foot in it, they will pull well past their sweet spot.

Spring Warning: Our camshafts are not comparable to other manufacturers and require special valve spring pressures to operate and live satisfactorily. ONLY USE our springs, most other springs will not work properly and may cause severe damage.


 

Be sure and read all of our Camshaft Education articles. Click on the links below. 
    * Choosing a "Real" Chrysler Cam  
    * Camshaft Frequently asked Questions 
    * Basic Camshaft Guidelines for Hydraulic Flat Tappets    
    * Basic Camshaft Guidelines for Magnum & LA Hydraulic Rollers

 

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