30-30 camshaft

[Dale S.]

Hi again, From an earlier post I was reading about an LT-1 camshaft. I saw a Sealed Power camshaft recommended for a LT-1. I have a Sealed Power CS -179 R camshaft that I got 15 or 20 years ago. At that time I believe it was called the "30-30 Duntov" replacement. Does anyone know what this cam is? I remember it is a solid lifter cam as I got Melling solid lifters for it. Thank you Dale

[Duke W.]

Re: 30-30 camshaft

The 3736097 "Duntov cam" is the high performance mechanical lifter cam that Zora personally designed, and it was used in production from '57 to '63. An earlier version was available in '56 with the grooved rear journal.

This was followed by the 3849346 "30-30 cam". I consider the name "30-30 Duntov" to be a misnomer as I do not believe Zora personaly designed this cam, but I'm sure that he oversaw its design.

The 30-30 cam was used in '64-'65 SHP/FI (365/375HP) engines and also in the 302 Z-28 engine. It improved top end power, but was a real low end torque killer. It's a good vintage racing cam, but not a good street cam.

The third and final Chevrolet SB high performance mechanical lifter cam, 3972178, is commonly known as the "LT-1 cam", and was used in that engine option from '70-'72. It was not a new design as it used the "L-72 cam" (427/450/435/425 HP and '71 LS-6) lobe on the inlet side (retarded two degrees) and the 30-30 lobe (advanced four degrees) on the exhaust side. (The L-72 inlet and exhaust lobes are identical as are the 30-30 cam inlet and exhaust lobes.).

The reduced overlap restored torque to Duntov cam or a little better levels, while giving up very little in top end power compared to the 30-30 cam. I consider the LT-1 cam to be the best SB high performance cam every designed that can be used with OE valvetrain components with bulletproof reliability, and I recommend it to replace both the Duntov and 30-30 cams for mechanical lifter engine rebuilds, or as an "upgrade" to any small block to mechanical lifter SHP characteristics.

According to my information, the CS179R is a Federal Mogul/Sealed Power/Speedpro clone of the 3863151 L-79 (327/350 HP) high performance hydraulic lifter cam. (I'm not absolutely certain, so can someone else confirm?) This is an excellent all around high performance cam. It has essentially the same duration as the Duntov cam, but less overlap, so it's bit more tractable and has a little more low end torque. It's a little stronger at the bottom end than the LT-1 cam, but won't make as much top end power, and it should be limited to about 6000 RPM, which is 500 revs less than the mechanical lifter cams can handle.

The number I have for the Federal Mogul/Sealed Power/Speedpro LT-1 cam clone is CS1145R.

Duke

[Dale S.]

Re: 30-30 camshaft

Thank you Duke, I have had this so long I forgot what I bought it for.I guess that is not what I bought the lifter's for. Too many parts, not enough records. Thanks again to Duke and every one else that have been so helpful. Dale

[Joe L.]

Re: 30-30 camshaft

Duke and Dale-----

CS-179R is, indeed, the Federal-Mogul part number for the 65-68 L-79 cam. You sure don't want to use mechanical ("solid") lifters with this cam, if mechanical lifters are what you have.

[King Martin]

Re: 30-30 camshaft for Duke

Duke,
By using a LT-1 cam in a L-79 I would not be giving up any power in the mid to upper range but might loose some torque in the bottom end. Is that what you are saying? I would gain some power (HP) in reving the motor (6500)tighter as well as having the solid lifter symphony going on. Also you mentioned the 30-30 cam used in the 302 Z-28, is this the 4-speed application (off road) camshaft that was so wild or was this the street version? It is interesting that in the 1978 GM Corvette parts manual, refers to the 1970 LT-1 cam and the 64-65 spec. H.P., F.I. cam as the same part number. This is what threw me in an earlier post.

[John H.]

Re: 30-30 camshaft for Duke

King -

The production Z/28 camshaft (same "30-30" as used in '64-'65 Corvette solid-lifter applications) wasn't the "off-road" version; that was the "-140" cam, which was only sold over the counter, and was developed specifically for use with the (also over-the-counter-only) cross-ram intake system used on the Trans-Am Camaros - probably the "peakiest" camshaft in history. The parts book you noted shows that dual entry because the LT-1 cam later became the service replacement for the "30-30" after the "30-30" cam was discontinued.