RE: IML: Dennis Hildebrandt .509 Cam

["Rob McCall" <Rob_Mopar@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dennis,

That's a whole lot of cam for a stock motor in a heavy car.  For the .509 to
be happy, it needs more compression than the 8.x:1 in the '74 motor, it will
be looking for more rear gear, higher stall speed converter, freer intake
and exhaust.  The lift isn't so much the problem of that particular cam,
it's the duration.  It's not really intended to be installed in a heavy
vehicle.  

A high rate of lift cam, like one from Hughes or Comp Cams might be a little
better.  Something that opens the valve quickly, but is more conservative in
duration will be much more functional in your motor.  Even a reproduction
Road Runner/GTX cam would wake the motor up without giving up drivability.  

Should my motor need to be gone through (I need to get it on the road
first), I'd probably consider a RV/Towing grind.  Something designed for
lots of bottom end torque.  400 Horsepower won't do you much good if it's at
6500 RPM, and your torque curve is soft.

If you haven't driven the car yet in stock form, give that a shot first.  A
fresh tune-up and you might be surprised how well that motor pulls.

Rob McCall
'67 LeBaron

-----Original Message-----
 Car(s) owned: 1974 Starlight Metallic Blue Coupe(white top with white
I am debating about improving some of the performance on my
74. I have some friends who I've met at car ralleys and they would help
me install a new .509 camshaft. It would produce 400 plus horses. I not
sure what I will do. Someone could give me some feedback. I love my 74
body style even over some of the 60's and early 70's but I am jealous of
their horsepower. Well that's my story.

-- 





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