340 HP Rebuild cam question

[Tim T.]

I am having my 1963 340 HP rebuilt. It will have 65-66 heads with the larger valves and I will have them massaged for better flow. Will have 10.5 CR.
I am using flat tappets and the correct original AFB Carb and 2 1/2 exhaust. I want it to sound "correct" for a 340 HP with the 097 cam.
Question, is there a cam that will still provide the correct sound, but give better low torque while not loosing the top end?
Any advice appreciated

[Bill W.]

Re: 340 HP Rebuild cam question

If you want the correct sound use the correct comp. pistons .If you have at least a 3:70 rear you will have all the torque you need and good power all the way through .

[George W.]

Re: 340 HP Rebuild cam question

Comp Cams use to make one called "nostalgic sound"; if my memory is correct...go to Compcams.com and look for it. Good luck
Dr. George

[Michael H.]

Re: 340 HP Rebuild cam question

I am having my 1963 340 HP rebuilt. It will have 65-66 heads with the larger valves and I will have them massaged for better flow. Will have 10.5 CR.
I am using flat tappets and the correct original AFB Carb and 2 1/2 exhaust. I want it to sound "correct" for a 340 HP with the 097 cam.
Question, is there a cam that will still provide the correct sound, but give better low torque while not loosing the top end?
Any advice appreciated

Tim,

I think you would have a hard time finding a cam that makes more usable HP and still sounds like the original 097 cam. It was a good design that matched the rest of the components of your 340 HP engine.

There are cams available that are ground to the original 097 specs.

[Jim R.]

Re: 340 HP Rebuild cam question

I agree with Mike the 340 was a great 327 stay with the duntov 097 cam.

[Larry B.]

Re: 340 HP Rebuild cam question

There is so much better cams today than 50 year old grinds.Custom pieces can give you every thing you want a more.Comp cams and Summit are still 50 year old 50 state emission cams go custom grind.You can have the same durations at .050 and alot more lift in the upper areas like more duration in the .200 lift range because key cutter style grinders move to 2013 CNC cams.

[Michael H.]

Re: 340 HP Rebuild cam question

There is so much better cams today than 50 year old grinds.Custom pieces can give you every thing you want a more.Comp cams and Summit are still 50 year old 50 state emission cams go custom grind.You can have the same durations at .050 and alot more lift in the upper areas like more duration in the .200 lift range because key cutter style grinders move to 2013 CNC cams.

Larry,

There are many easy ways to increase the horsepower of these old cars but replacing the 097 cam in a 63 will result in a new sound out the back. It won't sound the same as it did when new. It's not what most restorers are looking for.

Besides, most of these guys don't care about how much horsepower their car makes.

[Larry B.]

Re: 340 HP Rebuild cam question

I mis read his request later heads bigger valves massaged wanting more torque without losing the top end this therefore is not a purist and can be done sound is basicly exhaust timing.Ive done this already on a 64 with side pipes runs way better and sounds as good or better.

[Gene M.]

Re: 340 HP Rebuild cam question

Well, if one wants more performance something has to change. It is a scientific fact that you can not use all the same and expect different results. A request to still provide the correct sound, but give better low torque and have 65-66 heads with the larger valves massaged for better flow in not a purest looking for a restoration job.

Tim, I would think has weighed the use of an original camshaft but wants more. Changing heads and compression are two factors in the scientific equation. So I agree with #6 and #8 above. But the original post as request may not be easy to achieve.

[Jim T.]

Re: 340 HP Rebuild cam question

How much difference does the stock 327/350 with 11:1 comp L79 with hydraulic lifters exhaust sound from a 63 327/340 with solid lifters exhaust sound? I like the sound of my L79.

[Michael H.]

Re: 340 HP Rebuild cam question

By now, you would think that I would know better than to get involved in these silly camshaft discussions but....

In this case, we have to remember what the original poster is looking for and specifically asked about. He clearly stated that he wanted a bit more horsepower but did NOT want to loose the unique sound of the original 097 cam.

The choices become a bit limited.

Replacing the original valves with larger valves and doing a bit of port work will have a very limited effect on mid range horsepower.

There are quite a number of other items, other than the cam, that can increase HP while retaining the original sound of the engine/exhaust.

Because these cars are 50 years old, about the best a guy can do today is try to make it sound fast because there's no chance that any modifications will make the car as fast as some 2013 turbo charged 4 cyl car.

Install the 097 cam, a set of off road exhaust mufflers and just enjoy the car.

[Stuart F.]

Re: 340 HP Rebuild cam question

I fully agree with Michael who has walked the line with the SHP C-2's from back in the day to present. My 63 L-76 has never been apart and I'd like to keep it that way for the rest of my years. One thing I always liked, specially at friday night cruise ins in Downers Grove, IL.,were the folks that wanted me to just start the engine so they could hear the light clatter of the solid tappets and the "Duntov" exhaust note. For many, like myself from the 50's and 60's, that is still music to our ears and it never grows old.

Stu Fox

[Robert K.]

Re: 340 HP Rebuild cam question

There are many many threads on this subject in the archives. Duke Williams has explained at lenght that the LT1 cam will provide exactly what you are requesting. Revs to and through 7000 and a much stronger bottom end and no decernable difference in sound.

[Steven B.]

Re: 340 HP Rebuild cam question

How much difference does the stock 327/350 with 11:1 comp L79 with hydraulic lifters exhaust sound from a 63 327/340 with solid lifters exhaust sound? I like the sound of my L79.

Jim, I ran a "151" cam in one of my Corvettes and an "097" in another and the sounds do not compare. There is clatter and some lope in the "097" and a more smooth sound with the "151". The "151" has a nice throaty sound accelerating dependent on mufflers. Day and night.