I am thinking about hopping up the 273 in my 66 Barracuda just a bit. Plan is to install a cast iron 4bbl intake I have with a new 4bbl and also to do a new cam at the same time.

Here's some guidelines on what I am doing:
1. Currently it is a stock 273 2bbl.

2. I will continue to run solid lifters. I don't want to change the rocker arms or the pushrods if at all possible.

3. From a performance perspective, I want something that is an upgrade but I don't need street/strip performance. I just want it to have a bit more punch than it does now.

4. I am planning to upgrade the ignition to a Pertronix system.

5. Exhaust system will still use the stock exhaust manifolds. I am thinking about upgrading the exhaust to duals. While not impossible, its also not easy to do on these cars.

6. Rear end is a stock 7.25" rear. I think its 2.9-ish gears - whatever came stock.

7. I have 10 in drum brakes all around. I will upgrade the front to disk brakes. I already have the parts for that in my stash.

So, what I am hoping is one of you can recommend the following:

1. What cam?

2. Which Pertronix will work best for me? Ignitor 1/2/3?

3. What carb would you recommend? I am expecting it would likely be in the 500-600 cfm range?

Thanks in advance!

the intake bolt angle changed somewhere thereabout (65-66) so confirm your intake choice will fit the heads. Pertronix II. Eddy 500 CFM (1405). #1 #1 you need 68-70 340 HP ex manifolds with a mandrel bent 2&1/2" ex front to rear. '92/early 93 magnum ex manifolds are a good choice (that year has 2 & 5/16" outlets and either of these 2 choice MAY need minor mods for the DR mani to fit. what vehicle are we dealing with? EDIT the P has special needs (nothing earthshattering) and a dist with tight bushings AZ has em for cheap or Lowes has the bushings and Grainger sells the adj 15/32-17/32 reamer for cheap. Just me I'd keep the points & get it up & running then go from there

As noted above, its a 66 Barracuda. 64-65 LA engines are the ones with the oddball bolt angle. Mine are the normal angle heads.

I don't really want to change out the exhaust manifolds. The driver's side manifold barely clears the steering. I don't think that later driver's side manifolds are going to clear. I have a 68 Barracuda as well and the later A-bodies have more space between the rails than the 64-66 A-bodies. So, I'd have to move to headers and I don't want to do that.

those 273 manis have a 1&7/8 outlet and are very restricted (but they DO fit like a glove!). I used 340 manis on a manual steering & shortened the steering coupler slightly to clear. To do it again I would investigate useing the shorter PS inner shaft (5 minute swap) and seeing if the firmfeel adapter shaft is the right length to make up the difference (& slide right past the mani). EDIT for duals cut/weld a scallop on the other side of the trans crossmember so the new dual ex pipe tucks up there neatly (just fab the scallop so it is the same on both sides)

If you keep the 273 exhaust mainifolds then consider this instead of duals

http://www.accurateltd.com/A-Body-HiPo-Exhaust-System_p_195.html

Expensive though.

Too rich for my blood.

As noted in the first post, I'm not making changes to my exhaust manifolds. I recognize the limitations they have. But, I would like to get some cam recommendations to bump up performance a bit given my plans.

Thanks for the recommendation on the carb. I actually do have a Holley 1406 (bought before Edelbrock took them over). But, that is 600 CFM. I was worried that would be on the higher end of acceptable and it sounds like it is.

actually the 600 will be fine. the 1406 (unlike the 1405's) do come lean so I would suggest a strip kit to go along with it. EDIT missed that you said (600) Holley

What is a strip kit?

it is a box of jets (Holley) and jets and metering rods and metering rod springs & several larger orifice needle/seat assys (Eddy) so you can fine tune your AF ratio

Got it. Thx! After I posted the question, I kind of figured that was what you were referring to. Sounds like I can probably lean it up enough for the 273.

Still have to figure out what cam, though - which was the item I am having the hardest time figuring out.

Actually if the airflow is too sluggish from the carb being too large the AF might be too lean but thats a non issue for you here as the 600 will be perfect & no need (for me) to confuse the issue. For the cam I would Google it & find someone credible recommendations (car owners) so you can get the right cam the first time & I would definitely go conservative (when a cam co gives me a recommendation I go 2 or 3 sizes less! (even with Dave Hughes)

I would call Jim at Racer Brown. He doesn't have a web site. And he likes you to call AFTER 5 PM ET. I would think with all the limits you have imposed, you would want something that is not off the shelf. It costs the same to have a custom cam ground so why dink around with an off the shelf grind.


I like that you want to stay SFT.

I will say this...In my humble opinion, Lobe Sepration Angle will be of much importance here. You have a low output head, a highly restrictve exhaust and no gear ratio to speak of.

Call Jim.

Thanks. I will give him a call in the next few days.

What do you mean by SFT? Solid lifters?

Yeah...I am worried about going too big with the cam and it falling on its face. This is not a car I am planning to race. Just would like to have a bit more punch and keep it looking fairly stock.

I'm also going to send out a note to the email lists I belong to.

Thanks for the help.

Well, I took the time to look at Comp, Lunati, Crane and Hughes and there isn't a cam in the bunch that isn't too large.

The original Duntov cam for 283 chevy had about 220 degrees duration at 50 and about 0.400 lift. I imagine you'll end up around there.

Keep in mind that the 273 heads have pretty small ports and may need a little more duration than one would think.

Racer Brown is a good choice as there is a world of Mopar knowledge there.

R.

this would probably work.
http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/cam-specs/Details.aspx?csid=626&sb=2

or maybe go a step down to the xe256

edit: looking into the master cam catalog, i see there is an extreme energy solid lifter series, 256 is the smallest cam, 218*@.050 with .467 lift.