I'm a BIG fan of aggressive ramps too and just ordered and received a custom ground CompCams HR that I selected designed for high/broad torque and fast ramps in mind.

Of course I used the $500 Engine Analyzer Pro simulation program to fine-tune my selection, which, by the way, told me my heads - Dart Pro 1s - prefer a single pattern cam as opposed to a split-duration cam. Has to do with how well the exhaust ports on the heads flow.

Anyway, one of the tricks I use is to subtract the .050 duration from the advertised duration. The smaller/lower the difference, the more aggressive the ramps. Be careful though, you need to be sure that the advertised durations are measured at the same point (apples to apples). For Comp's profiles I selected lobes measured at .006 for their advertised duration.

Faster ramps will be in the 51/52 range for HR cams.

I'd like to know what your goal(s) are for the engine.

For my son's 350, 96 LT1 we're looking for torque, torque and more torque and decided to let the HP fall where it may.

If you want to, check out the March 2008 issue of Chevy High-Performance magazine. The articles may be on their website and is pretty much dedicated into camshaft selection. Has interviews with a few of the cam gurus from Lunati, Crane and CompCams.

Out of the cams you listed, from memory, the XFI and LPE cams have the most aggressive ramps. CompCams Godbold at the time of the interview said the XFI lobes are the best they've ever done.

As far as heads, look at flow numbers Vs port volume and not just max flow but how well they flow at low and mid lift ranges. Don't forget to consider the size of the combustion chambers, since that'll effect CR. Every point difference in CR translates into 3-4 percent in power difference.

Hope this helps.

Jake

West Point ROCKS!

 

Are those heads priced EACH or for the PAIR?

If EACH, skip 'em. You can get equal or better offerings for less $$. Even AFR Eliminators can be bought cheaper.

Jake

West Point ROCKS!

 

Don't take a cam recommendation from anyone until you answer some important questions. Your poll is comparing alot of apples to oranges so this will help you get on track.

Emissions a concern?
Weekend warrior or daily driver?
Manual or Auto?
If Auto what stall size?
Gears?
How high are you willing to rev the stock bottom end to?
Looking for alot of bottom-end torque? strong mid-range? alot of top-end?


And yes you will need a tune. What valve train you will need is in the guide.

 

why not have a custom cam made by LE or AI?

no reason to settle on an off the shelf grind when you can have one tailored to your setup

 

agreed it also depends on the head selection and ect lots of factors