I am about to begin building a 383 Chevy small block for my new project and I am getting conflicting reports as to what cam I might be most satisfied with. Comp Cams recommended the XE268 but the shop doing the block machining told me I would be happier with the XE 274. This is a '32 3W highboy, 700R4 transmission. Anyone out there running either one of these camshafts? I would appreciate you input.
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Lynn
'32 3W

I am running the comp cams 12 242 2 this is very close to the 268 and I am very happy with it. The Engine is a 355 sm block blue-printed and balanced with world heads 205/194's the lifters,roller rockers and guide plates are comp cams and I have been very happy with the performance, and the help provided by the folks at Comp cam.
Dr. Pepper

I build all my engines with XE cams....starting with the 262 and going as far as the XE 274 for the street, do not go further for a streetable engine.

Seeing how you have an automatic (four speed) and a light car the XE274 will not need a stall, but you are very close to the border line. If you are running real tall gears and tall tires I would use a 2300 stall for your application. The XE 274 reeeeeeeeaaaaaaally sounds good too. But so does the 268, just not as noticeable.

You also did not mention compression ratio. The CR for these cams makes all the difference in the world on low end. If you are below 10 to 1 I would go with the 268, the 274 will lack a little down low in comparison. If you are at 10 or above the 274 likes more compression for down low oooooouuuph, and pulls all the way to 6500 real fast and smooth. I built a 34 fivewindow with an xe274 auto and 9.2 to 1 compression and we had to stall it at 2400 and also run smaller tires with the TH350.

I also run these mostly with roller rockers and 1.6 ratios. My wife's 69 Camaro has the XE274 with all the goodies and pulled over 400hp on the dyno first time.....with a Road Demon carb.

My dad's 55 has the 262 and has 9.5 to 1 and with a heavy car with auto....is a great cam and performer.

If you need help with matching all the peripheral components give me a shout...I will give you the scoop. I have dynoed alot of these combos.
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Steve Jack
SOUTHEASTERN GOODGUYS REP

When in doubt Go smaller. You can allways play with rockers. 1.6 on the intake 1.5 on exh or even 1.4 and 1.3 if you went to big. I have used the 268 in the 355 383 and 388 with good luck.Mostly under 10 to 1 but real light,long rod motors.(40 pound cranks and light rods) Think when you build it how many times in its life is it really going to see the 4800-6800 range.
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Build it! Drive it! Sell! Next!

Thanks for the offer, Steve.

Here is the combination I am considering for the 383:

4 bolt main block bored 030 over, Eagle cast steel crankshaft with 6 inch H-beam rods, forged pistons, AFR 190 aluminum heads making 10.3:1 compression, Comp Cams XE268 or XE274 cam (probably the latter), Comp Cams steel 1.52 roller rockers, Edelbrock 750 carb on an Edelbrock Performer RPM manifold, 1 3/4 inch headers, 700R4 transmission with 3.89 rear gears, B.F. Goodrich P285X70 rear tires.

Think I'm on the right track?


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Lynn
'32 3W