Looking for some input on this budget build.
This is a secondary engine/vehicle. I do not want to spend money on stroker crank etc at this point. I want to use parts I have in my garage if possible.

Here’s what I have:
I have a 360 shortblock with KB hyperutectic flat tops. Zero deck. Comp xe284
I have a couple choices for top end,
1) ported 587 castings with 2.02 & Port O Sonic single plane
2) ported W2 & port matched Strip Dominator
3) ported w2 & untouched Pro Dominator T ram

-The shortblock is together, I could change the cam but it’s broke in and I would rather just use up these old parts and see what it does.
That said, I do have a set of 25 year old Herbert solid rollers that’ have never been run 😎
-vehicle is a ratty old 79 Warlock. 3:91, 727, converter has not been purchased unless I could get away with my ultimate 8” that stalls around 4800!
Truck will be 90% street but not driven often.


I am not looking for the perfect combo obviously. I’m just curious on opinions for the top end and how much could I be leaving on the table with that cam.

Thanks in advance,
Les.

I'd go W2 tunnel ram and the stall you have 😎

Should be fast and fun

I agree!

I have a pro dominator tunnel ram I converted to efi. You might need to port match the head to the intake. My w2s are heavily ported and the pro dominator is not touched and the ports match almost perfect.

Heavy vehicle, 90% street, 3.91 gear?

That says to me the low end torque is going to be most important to you. I'd use the 587s all day.

The w2s are a better head with more HP potential...no doubt about it. But it'll be lazier on the bottom end of the RPM range with the big ports.

With a 360, that loose of a converter and 3.9 gears I believe the W2's would be just fine. If necessary you could always crutch it with smaller carbs, but I don't think you would need to.

My experiences with fast rate hyd cams is they won’t allow the motor to rev high enough to really take advantage of the w2 heads.

If you want to use the w2’s, get a solid cam.

If you’re going to use the 587’s, get a performer rpm.

Thanks for the replies fella’s!
So, I should maybe have mentioned but the W2’s are currently set up for solid roller. I have a set of new 20 year old Herbert solid roller lifters.
So if a guy was gonna go with the w2’s, tunnel ram and the 8” convertor...bearing in mind it’s 4400lbs, what would you guys suggest for a cam?
I will be driving this thing as far at 60 Miles one way the odd time.

What combustion chamber size on the W2s? The 587s?
Meaning what compression ratio will you end up with?

I don't think your XE284 camshaft will appreciate the springs in the W2s. It's a bad combination.

What you need is torque, and the tunnel ram is king there. You have a set of solid rollers, I'd plan on using them. Have Bullet or somebody grind you a solid roller cam, you don't want it too big. There are small solid roller lobes out there.

I'd choose something with the valve opening and closing events similar to the .474 cam, but with more lift. Something like 232 degrees at 50 lift and 0.565 gross lift. I'd pick a longer LSA to allow the ram to work.

How's that sound, cam gurus?

R.

Thanks dogdays.
I had not cc’d the chambers but both are open chamber.
I believe both sets are 72 cc factory but the w2’s have been cleaned up so maybe slightly larger.
Flat tops with zero deck.

Imo, 4400lbs, 8” converter, street use....... not at all a good pairing.

The 587’s, an rpm intake, buy a 10” converter...... and “it is what it is”.