I have been thinking about swapping the cam out of my Barracuda. First of all, I am running a 360, 11.2:1, 292/509, OOTB Edelbrock heads, 800DP, Action Plus (junk), 4-speed, 4.10 gears, and 28" tall tires. I am thinking of going from the 292/509 to either the 284/.528 or the 296/.557 solid. Will either of these give me a little more, or do you think I would benefit a little more from a manifold or gear swap? I really dont want to go any steeper as far as gears go. I can always run a shorter tire once I kill these. Anyone have any ideas? Im just looking for a few more tenths. Thanks in advance chums

How many revs do you turn it to now?

Im running it up to about 6100 now. Going through the traps at about 5700

You may have too much cylinder pressure to run the .528 and you will have to rpm the .557 more than you are now.
I might suggest a swap to a single plane intake(have no small block experience) or even a performer rpm intake.It will make more power than the action plus.

Shorter tire,more gear change intake. Edelbrock rpm airgap or victor 340.

Thats kinda what I figured. I knew the intake was a must anyway. My options seem to be limited as far as what intake I can run, and keep my A/C compressor in place (the a/c still works) The Victor 340 is a good piece then?

With the mph you post you should be able to find a couple tenths with 4.30 or 4.56 gears. The Victor 340 is a very good intake but may not be quicker than the rpm airgap unless you go to 4.56 gears.You should be crossing the stripe somewhat higher than your shift points.

If I remember right the cam you have is a 108 LSA,
what is it installed at, you could advance the cam
4*-6* to pick up the bottom end torque and maybe keep
the same manifold. Also check your fuel system to
make sure its not running out of fuel in the higher
revs. Also put a vac gauge on the intake and check
the vac at WOT, you might need more carb, more than
likely

It is 108* and its installed straight up

1) If the cam is indeed installed at 108 degrees, advance the cam four degrees. I wouldn't be surprised if you pick up low end torque AND top end power.

2) I think you are mistaken to believe the action plus manifold is junk. You do want to gasket match the roof of the runner exits because they neck down to 318 port size at the last inch or so. There is plenty of material to open them up to 340/360 size.

3) you could get a set of adjustable rockers and set the lifter preload to 1/8 turn or just were they stop making noise. (make sure you have good spring pressure) This will alow the engine to rev higher. You could try shifting at 6500.

4) I agree that a little bowl work on the heads goes a long way.

Im going to seriously consider all of this. A guy I know has a set of 4.56's that I can get for pretty cheap, so Im going to go ahead and try that first since that is the easiest and cheapest route to go right now. I would imagine by looking at my shift points and my trap rpm, that may make the biggest difference. I do have a set of adjustable rockers I can put on it, I just need shafts for them. Thanks everybody

You have to actually check where the cam installed. When you say it is installed straight up, that could mean it is advanced because those cams are ground advanced a few degrees.

What 60' times are you getting?
I have not used the action plus small block intake, but the one I had on my 383 was not much better than the stock intake. The Performer RPM air-gap should provide more top end without hurting low end torque, and the air-gap will keep the mixture cooler.
I think if your going to rev over 6,200 RPM, then a solid lifter cam, and stiffer valve springs would be the way to go, but you may be able to get a bit more out of the hydraulic cam with adjustable rocker arms, and titanium retainers?
Advancing the installed position of the cam will just move the torque curve down to a bit lower RPM, so it may help ET, but not MPH.

Take a look at something like the Hughes Engines HTL4852AS Solid Lifter cam. Specs are 248/252 duration @ 0.050", 0.563"/0.572" valve lift with 1.5:1 rocker arms, 106 LSA installed +3 at 103 degrees. The RPM sweet spot is listed as 2400-6200 RPM.

I seriously doubt if going to 6500 will help. It will be well past the peak for that cam. Been there done that. Also the 528 will very likely slow you down as it will actually be less cam than your 509 with a net lift of around 500 after the .028 lash is allowed. Not my favorite choice sticks.

The .509 set up right makes good power for what it is. I agree the .528 will slow you down and the .557 may not help you much if any other then it's a solid grind and may rev more. If you take the valve lash out of the .557 you wont have much more lift then the .509 and the advertised duration's are almost the same. I agree as I would look elsewhere like advancing the cam. Good luck , Ron

Im going to change to 4.56's first off. Its painfully obvious I need more rpm at the traps. I guess from there, I can begin with the smaller points of tuning it.