Best Street Cam for Small Block Chevy

Best Street Cam for Small Block Chevy: SBC Camshafts Reviews

The camshaft is one of the most essential components of the engine that determines its torque and powerband. With many options available in the market, it becomes challenging to search through these available options and choose the Best Street Cam for Small Block Chevy. 

In this article, we have made a precise and detailed list to help you narrow down your options and make a final decision about which camshaft you should purchase.

Top 3 Best Street Cam for Small Block Chevy

These are the top 3 Best Street Cam for Small Block Chevy:

Product NameCOMP Cams CL12-600-4COMP Cams CL12-602-4COMP CL12-212-2
Product Link
UsageStreet/ Performance Street/ StripStreet/ Performance 
Rpm Operating Range2,000-5,800 RPM2,500-6400 RPM2,000-6000 RPM
Lobe Separation Angle107107110 
Advertised Duration (INT/EXH) 279/297295/313230/230
Duration at .050”227/241243/257230/230
Valve Lift0.479”/0.465”0.500”/0.4860.480”/0.480”

Check out this post on 350 Chevy Engine Diagram, if you don’t understand where is the camshaft actual location in your SBC.

1. COMP CAMS CL12-600-4 Thumpr 227/241 Hydraulic Flat Cam for Chevrolet Small Block- Review

This is one of the best SBC street cams available with great performance input for your small block chevy engine. Ranking from the high RPM operating range to the optimum overlap. 

Features

  • Performance characteristics: This camshaft has a very high street performance with a stock converter. It Works best with 2,000+ converters and a gear to give a choppy/thumping idle. 
  • RPM Operating Range: This camshaft comes with a very high RPM operating range which allows it to give out the most horsepower within a large RPM operating range  
  • Complete kit: This camshaft comes with a set of lifters with instructions for easy installation and assembly lubricant. 
  • Optimum overlap: The early intake valve opening and long exhaust duration creates an overlap that gives you more power and a hard-hitting exhaust note. 
  • Large compatibility: This camshaft has three unique designs that make it compatible with a wide range of fit options. Fits GEN 1 small block Chevy including 363, 265, 267,283,302,305,307,327,350, and 400. With the only exception of LT1/LT4, or factory roller small blocks built from 1985 and newer. 
  • Made in the USA: This option is made in the USA and guarantees a well-built American-made quality. 

PROS

  • Operates with High-performance stock and 2.000+ converters. 
  • 2,000-5.800 RPM operating range 
  • Comes with a full kit.
  • Has an early intake valve opening and a long exhaust duration.
  • Best with aftermarket converters and more rest gears.
  • Compatible with a wide range of Chevy models.
  • Still in production.

CONS

  • It requires a very high idle.
  • Requires high vacuum pressure.
  • The lifters may not be as durable as the camshaft.

2. COMP Cams CL 12-602-4 Big Mutha’ Thumpr 243/257 Camshaft

This cam ranks #2 on our Best Street Cam for Small Block Chevy list and is great for street machines with a very rough idle. Its ability to transmit high horsepower and torque makes it the perfect choice for street rods and muscle cars. 

Features

  • Performance characteristics: This camshaft has a high street /strip performance and needs 9:5:1 compression. Works best with 2800+, intake, gears, and headers. 
  • High RPM operating Range: This can shaft has a high RPM operating range of between 2,500-6,400 RPMs which allows it to give out optimal horsepower and torque over a wide range of Operating RMP
  • Complete kit:This camshaft comes with a set of lifters with instructions for easy installation and assembly lubricant.
  • Optimum overlap: The early intake valve opening creates an overlap with the long exhaust duration which gives you more power and hard-hitting exhaust notes. 
  • Three different designs:The comp cl 13-604-4 can come in three unique designs to deliver excellent horsepower gains and a broad torque curve 
  • Made in the USA: This option is made in the USA and guarantees a well-built American-made quality. 

Pros

  • Offers a great RPM operating range between 2,500 and 6400 RMPs 
  • Works with high-performance stock and 2800+ converters Early intake valve opening and long exhausted duration 
  • Comes in three different brands for know to high compression build 

Cons

  • Requires a very high idle
  • It May require a lot of vacuum pressure. 
  • The long-term durability is in question, based on customer reviews.

3. Comp cams Cl 12-212-2 Magnum 224/224 Hydraulic Flat Cam

This is one of the Best Street Cam for Small Block Chevy for street machines. It requires 2500+ stalls, headers, and gear. It has a rough idle but with an easy-on valve train. It can be used with mild ratio rocker arms and traditional valve springs.

Features

  • Performance characteristic: The camshaft can be used with mild ratio rocker arms and traditional performance valve springs that require at least a 9:5:1 compression, working best with aftermarket torque converters. 
  • High RPM operating Range: This can shaft has a high RPM operating range of between 2,000-6000 RPM which allows it to give out optimal horsepower and torque over a wide range of Operating RPM.
  • Comes with a complete kit: This camshaft comes with a set of lifters with instructions for easy installation and assembly lubricant.
  • Easy on valve train parts: This cam can be used with a mild ratio rocker and traditional performance valve springs. exhaust note. 
  • Large compatibility: This camshaft is compatible with a wide range of fit options. Fits GEN 1 small block Chevy including 263, 265, 267, 283, 302, 305, 307, 327, 350, and 400. With the only exception of LT1/LT4, or factory roller small blocks built from 1985 and newer. 
  • Made in the USA: This option is made in the USA and guarantees a well-built American-made quality.

Pros

  • Has a high RPM operation range between 2,000 and 6000 RMPs.
  • Works with high-performance stock and 2500+ converters.
  • Can be used with mind ratio rocker arms and traditional performance valve springs. 
  • Comes in three different brands for low to high compression build.
  • Great for street machines. 
  • Made in the USA.

Cons

  • Requires a rough idle.
  • It May require a lot of vacuum pressure. 
  • Has a poor optimal overlap.

How to Install the Cam on A SBC Engine?

good street cam for 350 chevy

To install a street cam for small block Chevy, follow these steps:

  1. Secure the car firmly and engage the parking brake
  2. Drain the engine oil and coolant. 
  3. Detach the cooling fan, the radiator, and all belts and accessories attached to the front of the engine block to remove the timing cover. 
  4. Use the harmonic balancer bolt and use a harmonic balancer puller to slide the balancer off of the crankshaft.
  5. Remove the distributor and intake manifold, remove the intake manifold bolts, and lift the intake manifold off the engine. 
  6. Remove the valve cover bolts and valve cover. 
  7. Lose all rocker arms studs and bolts and remove the push rods. 
  8. Unfasten the timing cover bolts to remove the timing cover. 
  9. Remove the camshaft sprocket bolts and then remove the sprocket and timing chain. 
  10. Reattach the camshaft sprocket and remove the camshaft lifters from the engine. 
  11. Carefully slide the camshaft forward and out of the engine block. Make sure you balance and support the weight of the cam completely to avoid damaging the camshaft bearing
  12. Install the camshaft sprocket on the new cam and lubricate the replacement cam. 
  13. Carefully insert the camshaft into the engine block until it is fully inserted 
  14. Take off the cam sprocket and install the timing chain, making sure that the timing marks on both the cam and crank sprockets are along at their nearest point. 
  15. Tighten the cam sprocket bolts to the proper torque value and insert the lifter bores. 
  16. Reinstall the push rods and preload the valve lash 
  17. Reinstall the timing cover with new gaskets and reattach the oil pan to the lower portion of the timing cover. 
  18. Replace all external components on the front and top end of the engine in reverse order as they were removed. And replace all engine fluid to the proper levels. 
  19. Start the engine and check if the camshaft is installed correctly.

Check out this article on Chevy Ignition Switch Wiring Diagram that you may find useful.

What is the best street cam for SBC 350?

The Comp cams Cl 12-212-2 Magnum 224/224 Hydraulic Flat is the best street cam for SBC 350.

best street cam for sbc 350

What Is the Purpose of The Street Cam?

  1. It controls the spark plug.
  2. It controls the In-let and outlet valves.
  3. It helps to increase performance and power.

How to Choose the Right Street Cam for your Small Block Chevy Engine?

To get the Best Street Cam for Small Block Chevy, follow these steps:

  1. Check to make sure the camshaft is compatible with your engine and car model. 
  2. Compare the cam sizing to using the advertised duration for the cam.
  3. Choose a cam from our list of the best street cam for small block chevy that offers decent idle quality, reasonable vacuum for power brakes, and overall power production.
  4. Compare the flat rapper and roller lifter cam.
  5. Considering the purpose of the vehicle eg. Roller cams and solid lifters are better for the tracks. Flat rapper cams are great for the street and hydraulic lifters work well for street vehicles.
  6. Take into consideration the rear axle gear ratio and tire size. 
  7. Consider the power adders attached to your engine. 
  8. Go for a specific rocker arm ratio to avoid slapping valves into the piston or trashing the valve spring.

How Much Horsepower Does a Cam Add to A Chevy 350?

The engine with a good street cam for 350 Chevy will be able to produce about 390-440 horsepower depending on the bolts used and cam settings applied. In some settings, the best sbc street cam can produce 500 horsepower.

How Much Horsepower Does a Thumpr Cam Add?

The Thumpr Cam can add 10 – 20 horsepower depending on the setup.

To get the full potential of the best sbc street cam, additional components like the air intake, exhaust, manifold, injectors, and valve heads will also be swapped.

Conclusion

With so many Cam for Small Block Chevy options available, it can be a difficult task to pick out the right option for your vehicle. However, with our list, you can save yourself time and money without having to do the research yourself.

With the information in this article, you can find and purchase the Best Street Cam for Small Block Chevy engines.

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