LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

Cc305 vs cc503

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Old Jun 12, 2018 | 08:04 PM
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Default Cc305 vs cc503

eventually I will be building a 383, local guy will build the entire engine including ported heads etc I’m consider one of the 2 cams listed, they seem very similar on paper with the obvious differences, lsa and a few degrees etc. I’m just curious if anyone has used both and what the power differences are... which makes better power, more peak etc.
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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 12:27 PM
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With such small changes both will net about the same power. Why such mild cam choices for a stroker?
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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 12:33 PM
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Have to keep it passable for emissions....I require a sniffer test in my area. I want to go the stroke route for the extra gains in HP/TQ from the extra cubes
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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 12:39 PM
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Originally Posted by PARMY
Have to keep it passable for emissions....I require a sniffer test in my area. I want to go the stroke route for the extra gains in HP/TQ from the extra cubes
the tune will be the primary factor of getting tailpipe emissions within spec. Discuss your cam choice with whoever does your tuning.

I have a smaller cam than the 503 in my 383 and have passed Calif. smog for years now
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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 02:17 PM
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The engine builder/tuner said the 305 was a great cam for what I wanted emissions wise. He said the 306 won’t pass up here. I then saw the 503 and see it’s very popular even in 383s. I was looking for a bit more chop than the 305 but he also mentioned a custom grind based off the 305 that has a few more degrees. I was really just curious if there were any major differences between the 305 and 503 power wise. Is one better in the low end than the other? Similar mid range? Which one has better top end etc. Probably just best to go with the engine builders choice.

Last edited by PARMY; Jun 13, 2018 at 02:18 PM. Reason: error
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Old Jun 13, 2018 | 02:22 PM
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If it's between those two I'd get the one with more lift. You'll see probably right around high 300's for hp and low 400's for torque, IMO.
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Old Jun 14, 2018 | 11:12 AM
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I had a CC305 in a supercharged 383 with stock heads. It passed Ont. emissions back in 2001 or 2002. It is a small cam for that size engine NA no doubt but has great manners and passed the roller test at the time.
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Old Jun 14, 2018 | 11:22 AM
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FWIW I have a smaller cam in my 383 (214/224, 555/568, lsa 115) and I have to say, it must make at least 400tq to the wheels and probably around 380hp through a 6 speed. super fun to drive on the street, tons of low end torque and pulls hard up top for what it is. not the ideal cam for the setup but I am happy with it.....for now. wish it had more lope at idle though, can really only hear it on cold starts under 30* when the idle is really low in closed loop.
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Old Jun 14, 2018 | 12:47 PM
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I was just about to rag on the cc305 a bit for being an old technology cam ground on some ancient lobes that came out before most of today's LT1 owners were even conceived but then recalled that it is now ground on Xtreme Energy lobes (same with the cc306). The Xtreme Energy lobes are still technically older tech but are much improved over the ancient Magnum lobes IMO. Honestly, both the cc305 and cc503 are decent cams. The cc305 on a 114 lsa was a very popular blower grind back in the day. I personally like the valve events of the cc503 more and think it's one of the best LT1 shelf grinds BUT there is more overlap in it (bad for sniffer test) versus the cc305. As said, tuning plays a big part in it however. Anyways, if it were me I would pass on both the cc305 and cc503 cams and call up Lloyd Elliott for a custom grind. The cam is arguably the brain of the motor and with a 383 setup like yours I would opt for custom (from a reputable LT1 individual) because there is value in having a cam with the right valve events to not only deliver optimal performance but to meet the goals, constraints, etc. of the end user more, just my .02.

Last edited by StealthFormula; Jun 14, 2018 at 12:53 PM.
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Old Jun 14, 2018 | 01:00 PM
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I'd choose the CC503 for a NA application.
The CC503 has less-ancient XE lobes and gives more area under the lift curve, better average horsepower, than the older Magnum lobes of the CC305.

Edit: just saw the post above mine. Never heard that there are now two different versions of CC305 cams out there .. ??
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Old Jun 14, 2018 | 01:22 PM
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Have a look at the valve events and LSA (overlap)

Comp 305
http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/c...csid=1102&sb=2

Comp 503
http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/c...csid=1111&sb=2

Comp XFI 467 (far better choice than either of the other 2)
http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/c...csid=1107&sb=2

All are similar in valve events in terms of degrees. The 305 is old lobe technology. The 503 is a great cam for stock cubes where emissions may or may not matter, capable tuning helps. These 2 cams are very similar but the 305 has another degree of LSA to assist in staving off cylinder pressure bleed off during filling on the intake stroke. The intake valve closing event and ICL/LSA have primary effects on overlap, which will be your biggest enemy for emissions, as some of the air and fuel charge is leaving the exhaust port unburnt (= high NOX/HC). 3rd choice and others like it- the 467. Longer duration, higher lift, very similar valve events but very different lobes. And another degree of ICL/LSA vs. overlap. More power potential with no worse or slightly better emissions challenges for your tuner. Look at the lift it makes in the almost same number of degrees as either of the other 2. Cylinders will fill a lot quicker and more efficiently and atomize the fuel charge in the intake port a lot better.

Nobody asked what heads you're running on your 383. Care to share? If it's stock LT1 170cc heads then stop me, lol. The other 2 would be about your maximum choices for stock untouched heads.
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Old Jun 14, 2018 | 01:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Gojira94
Have a look at the valve events and LSA (overlap)

Comp 305
www.compcams.com/Company/CC/cam-specs/Details.aspx?csid=1102&sb=2

Comp 503
http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/cam-specs/Details.aspx?csid=1111&sb=2

Comp XFI 467 (far better choice than either of the other 2)
http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/cam-specs/Details.aspx?csid=1107&sb=2

All are similar in valve events in terms of degrees. The 305 is old lobe technology. The 503 is a great cam for stock cubes where emissions may or may not matter, capable tuning helps. These 2 cams are very similar but the 305 has another degree of LSA to assist in staving off cylinder pressure bleed off during filling on the intake stroke. The intake valve closing event and ICL/LSA have primary effects on overlap, which will be your biggest enemy for emissions, as some of the air and fuel charge is leaving the exhaust port unburnt (= high NOX/HC). 3rd choice and others like it- the 467. Longer duration, higher lift, very similar valve events but very different lobes. And another degree of ICL/LSA vs. overlap. More power potential with no worse or slightly better emissions challenges for your tuner. Look at the lift it makes in the almost same number of degrees as either of the other 2. Cylinders will fill a lot quicker and more efficiently and atomize the fuel charge in the intake port a lot better.

Nobody asked what heads you're running on your 383. Care to share? If it's stock LT1 170cc heads then stop me, lol. The other 2 would be about your maximum choices for stock untouched heads.
To build off the above...I know many of us know this already but just as an FYI for any readers that may not...Comp Cams for whatever reason quotes the lift of the XFI lobed cams assuming a 1.6 ratio rocker and quotes the Magnum and Xtreme Energy lobed cams assuming a 1.5 ratio roller rocker. To directly compare the lift between cams a little math is necessary, here's the results:

cc305 lift w/ 1.6RRs = .544/.544
cc503 lift w/ 1.6RRs = .537/.544
XFI 467 w/ 1.6RRs = .576/.570

I dig the XFI 467 cam mentioned, nice specs on it and it's on more modern, more aggressive XFI lobes. I personally favor the XFI stuff and have been running a custom XFI lobed cam for the past 10-11 years now.
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Old Jun 14, 2018 | 01:49 PM
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Originally Posted by bowtienut
I'd choose the CC503 for a NA application.
The CC503 has less-ancient XE lobes and gives more area under the lift curve, better average horsepower, than the older Magnum lobes of the CC305.

Edit: just saw the post above mine. Never heard that there are now two different versions of CC305 cams out there .. ??
I had no idea myself until about a year ago when I was browsing Comp's website. I double checked today to be sure. They no longer list any Magnum lobed cams for the LT1s. The cc304, cc305 and cc306 cams are now available under the Xtreme energy lobe family. It's about time lol. Also, the 112 lsa version of the cc305 is no longer available, just the 114 lsa version is.
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Old Jun 14, 2018 | 01:54 PM
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The XFI grinds in terms of published lift spec is with 1:6 RR vs the 1:5 on other cams.....if you are comparing "lift" #'s

FWIW I run the XFI in my 383. You need a good spring for the ramps of this grind. Lunati is what Lloyd advised for me
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Old Jun 14, 2018 | 01:57 PM
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FWIW the XFI grinds published "lift" specs are with 1:6 RR vs the 1:5 of the other two cams mentioned so do the math for the other cams to get comparable lift #'s as Stealth did

I have the XFI in my 383. You need a good spring for the ramps of the XFI. Lloyd advised, and sold me, Lunati springs

EDIT: apologies for double post...hotel internet is slowwwww

Last edited by BALLSS; Jun 14, 2018 at 02:02 PM.
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Old Jun 14, 2018 | 06:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Gojira94
Have a look at the valve events and LSA (overlap)

Comp 305
http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/c...csid=1102&sb=2

Comp 503
http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/c...csid=1111&sb=2

Comp XFI 467 (far better choice than either of the other 2)
http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/c...csid=1107&sb=2

All are similar in valve events in terms of degrees. The 305 is old lobe technology. The 503 is a great cam for stock cubes where emissions may or may not matter, capable tuning helps. These 2 cams are very similar but the 305 has another degree of LSA to assist in staving off cylinder pressure bleed off during filling on the intake stroke. The intake valve closing event and ICL/LSA have primary effects on overlap, which will be your biggest enemy for emissions, as some of the air and fuel charge is leaving the exhaust port unburnt (= high NOX/HC). 3rd choice and others like it- the 467. Longer duration, higher lift, very similar valve events but very different lobes. And another degree of ICL/LSA vs. overlap. More power potential with no worse or slightly better emissions challenges for your tuner. Look at the lift it makes in the almost same number of degrees as either of the other 2. Cylinders will fill a lot quicker and more efficiently and atomize the fuel charge in the intake port a lot better.

Nobody asked what heads you're running on your 383. Care to share? If it's stock LT1 170cc heads then stop me, lol. The other 2 would be about your maximum choices for stock untouched heads.
heads will be stock ported, 2.00 / 1.56, flow woul be equal to LE2 heads.
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Old Jun 14, 2018 | 06:08 PM
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Originally Posted by StealthFormula
To build off the above...I know many of us know this already but just as an FYI for any readers that may not...Comp Cams for whatever reason quotes the lift of the XFI lobed cams assuming a 1.6 ratio rocker and quotes the Magnum and Xtreme Energy lobed cams assuming a 1.5 ratio roller rocker. To directly compare the lift between cams a little math is necessary, here's the results:

cc305 lift w/ 1.6RRs = .544/.544
cc503 lift w/ 1.6RRs = .537/.544
XFI 467 w/ 1.6RRs = .576/.570

I dig the XFI 467 cam mentioned, nice specs on it and it's on more modern, more aggressive XFI lobes. I personally favor the XFI stuff and have been running a custom XFI lobed cam for the past 10-11 years now.
great info!
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Old Jun 19, 2018 | 12:07 PM
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I'm running the cc305 with ported stock heads, 2.00/1.56 valves and 1.6 rockers. Big flat torque curve and nearly stock sounding and very smooth. The engine was built about 8 years ago though and I'd likely do things differently today. Long story short, talk to the tuner and do the research. Asking here doesn't hurt but everyone is going to have different opinions. Valve size, porting and other factors apply here as well.
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Old Jun 19, 2018 | 12:55 PM
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I actually just spoke with him this morning and decided to go with the cc305. Reason being that it’s easier for emissions and for what I want from the car, it works out great. My builder has a ton of experience with LT1s and has used this cam a lot. Like you mentioned, great flat torque curve and no need to rev the crap out of the motor. Heads will be stock ported with larger valves, port matched intake, 58mm TB and I already have new pace setter 1 3/4 headers and ORY. I’m not looking for big HP.....somewhere between 350-400 would be great and said most likely it will make in the 360-380hp range at the wheels.
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Old Jun 20, 2018 | 11:14 AM
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Originally Posted by PARMY
I actually just spoke with him this morning and decided to go with the cc305. Reason being that it’s easier for emissions and for what I want from the car, it works out great. My builder has a ton of experience with LT1s and has used this cam a lot. Like you mentioned, great flat torque curve and no need to rev the crap out of the motor. Heads will be stock ported with larger valves, port matched intake, 58mm TB and I already have new pace setter 1 3/4 headers and ORY. I’m not looking for big HP.....somewhere between 350-400 would be great and said most likely it will make in the 360-380hp range at the wheels.
that is pretty much my exact setup besides the cam difference and I would agree, around 380hp and over 400tq. wicked fun on the street, don't need to rev it out like you said, tons of torque down low. good luck with the build
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