Ordered KC/Pond 482 today

[Varmit]

Just got off the phone with Tony at Keith Craft, ordering my 482. I'm a little undecided on cam selection. Car probably will not see the track, but does get some canyon running, and street play. I want something that really hits at idle, but do not want the bottom end so soft and full of surge that it is a big problem at low speeds. We discussed selecting a cam of about 242/248 on a 108 LSA. What do you guys with 482's run on the street. Want something in the 625 to 640 tq range on the street

Thanks
Benny

[blykins]

I'm usually at 248/254 with a 482 and Edelbrock heads. That's a hydraulic roller, and will peak right at 6000.

I would suggest something of that duration, but put it on a 108 or 109 LSA as Tony leaned towards.

Last 482 I did with a similar cam had 636 lb-ft of torque.

[RodKnock]

My 482 was not built by KC, but by FE Specialties, with cam specs of 108 LSA, 245/252 duration and .630/.651 lift and IIRC I hit about 613 tq and 605 hp. I love the cam spec, which I think is middle of the road, not too big and not too small. I probably could have gone one more notch up to make more HP, but all in all, very happy with the choice.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

..., but all in all, very happy with the choice.

How do you know?

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

How do you know?

It just sounds really nice when I sit in the driver's seat and go "vroom vroom."

Also, late at night, when it's really quiet out, I can hear it talk to me through the walls.

[A98Coupe]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

My 482 was not built by KC, but by FE Specialties, with cam specs of 108 LSA, 245/252 duration and .630/.651 lift and IIRC I hit about 613 tq and 605 hp. I love the cam spec, which I think is middle of the road, not too big and not too small. I probably could have gone one more notch up to make more HP, but all in all, very happy with the choice.

Rodnock,

Is your cam a hydraulic or solid roller? I'm now selecting a cam for my Shelby stroker (468 or 482 haven't decided yet), and your cam seems to be about right for my Kirkham, mainly street driven but with some track use. However, I want a rough idle and race sounding package so I am leaning towards the shorter stroke engine. I like the idea of the solid roller cam, but I feel it won't live long for street use?

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by A98Coupe

Rodnock,

Is your cam a hydraulic or solid roller? I'm now selecting a cam for my Shelby stroker (468 or 482 haven't decided yet), and your cam seems to be about right for my Kirkham, mainly street driven but with some track use. However, I want a rough idle and race sounding package so I am leaning towards the shorter stroke engine. I like the idea of the solid roller cam, but I feel it won't live long for street use?

I have a hydraulic roller. Tom (Lucas) and I discussed the 468 vs 482, he initially wanted the 468, but I really liked the idea of the "square bore" (4.25x4.25) and the extra 14 cubes. If you want a racier idle, then I'd build a 482 with next step up in cam.

But I will say that I think my choice of engine size and cam is nearly perfect. Idle is plenty racy enough and I had a 540 BBC in a '66 Corvette Convertible. And I'll add the engine exhibits none of the characteristics that Sam has, meaning it's very docile and easy to drive. I say "just about perfect", because I usually want to make things difficult on myself, so there's a very small part of me that thinks that I should have stepped up a notch in cam because my 482 is such a great blend of everything.

BTW, if I had to do it all over again, with the same Shelby block, then I would have opted for the Shelby big bore option and went 511 or whatever cubic inch # that left me with one .030 rebuild. Since that'll never happen anyway.

[madmaxx]

I am looking at my next Cobra build and without a doubt will go BIG BLOCK. Screw the stroked small block stuff. I WANT TORQUE TORQUE TORQUE. I would go with the cam with the most low end torque and least required valve spring pressure. Last thing I would want is something run on the edge. With big cubic inches you should be able to satisfy the need for torque and hp and guarantee longevity.

I assume you are going with a roller cam? I will be following this thread closely as you are graduating from a stroked small block to big block. Cant wait to hear your seat of the pants difference once its installed.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by madmaxx

I am looking at my next Cobra build and without a doubt will go BIG BLOCK. Screw the stroked small block stuff. I WANT TORQUE TORQUE TORQUE.

BTW, max, I thought you were a "dyed-in-the-wool swear by it" SB man. What happened?

[madmaxx]

I grew up!!!!!!

Originally Posted by RodKnock

BTW, max, I thought you were a "dyed-in-the-wool swear by it" SB man. What happened?

[Varmit]

Originally Posted by madmaxx

I am looking at my next Cobra build and without a doubt will go BIG BLOCK. Screw the stroked small block stuff. I WANT TORQUE TORQUE TORQUE. I would go with the cam with the most low end torque and least required valve spring pressure. Last thing I would want is something run on the edge. With big cubic inches you should be able to satisfy the need for torque and hp and guarantee longevity.

I assume you are going with a roller cam? I will be following this thread closely as you are graduating from a stroked small block to big block. Cant wait to hear your seat of the pants difference once its installed.

yes a roller cam

[madmaxx]

what the difference in weight and cost with an aluminium block vs cast iron? it would seam the cast iron is a little more "idiot" proof as you dont have the thermal expansion concerns as compared to cast iron. My preferences are;

Engine designed for longevity (100K). preferable roller cam which does not require adjustments and low spring pressure as the valve train is the most demanding service in an engine.
Massive low end torque - release clutch and engine doesnt stumble
If possilbe 12 mpg.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by madmaxx

what the difference in weight and cost with an aluminium block vs cast iron?

The info is here on CC somewhere, but IIRC, here are the rough rounded weights of the various alternatives (+/-):

Original cast iron FE block - 200 lbs
Genesis aftermarket FE block - 250 lbs
Pond/Shelby aluminum block - 125 lbs

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

The info is here on CC somewhere, but IIRC, here are the rough rounded weights of the various alternatives (+/-):

Original cast iron FE block - 200 lbs
Genesis aftermarket FE block - 250 lbs
Pond/Shelby aluminum block - 125 lbs

Aluminum heads, intake, water pump, and flywheel and you're within spittin' distance of the weight of a small block.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Aluminum heads, intake, water pump, and flywheel and you're within spittin' distance of the weight of a small block.

I think nearly every new SBF will have those items too, unless you're comparing it to an original all cast iron SBF.

[blykins]

No cast iron aftermarket FE blocks available right now.

A carbureted engine won't get to 100k miles....

[madmaxx]

Depending on my Cobra path, if I buy a roller and need an engine you will be getting a call as the only two people I would even consider buying an "aftermarket" engine off of is yourself and KC. When I day KC I mean the guys in Arkansas, dont even know if the Texas outfit is still around.

Guess I better quick hijacking this thread.

One last note for OP, I have never seen the used SPF market hotter and I know the market. List your existing SPF on on Cobra Country and buy a new roller for your 482. Prices are crazy right now and they are moving!!!

Originally Posted by blykins

No cast iron aftermarket FE blocks available right now.

A carbureted engine won't get to 100k miles....

[kevins2]

Originally Posted by blykins

...A carbureted engine won't get to 100k miles....

Just trying to learn and understand. What are the details behind this?

Kevin

[fordracing65]

Originally Posted by blykins

No cast iron aftermarket FE blocks available right now.

A carbureted engine won't get to 100k miles....

How long will a carb motor get vs an efi motor, if they are the same specs???

[rodneym]

Congrats, Varmit!
Nuthin like an FE.

Who did the install? Looks like V.