O.K. - I've seen this post a dozen times, and now I'm recycling it for me.

Here's the punchline: I'm building the same 400 everyone else is:
Edelbrock non EGR Performer intake
302C heads with stock sized valves
D.S.S pedestal roller rockers
Holley 670cfm vacuum secondary carb
headers
dual 2 1/2" exhaust
c6 - haven't decided on T.C. stall yet

I want to install the cam bearings with the cam I'm running, but can't decide between the XE256, and the 265DEH. Was hoping to have the block (minus the heads) finished by next week.

With the pistons I'm running (.030 over Federal Mogul forged dish), the static CR is either 9.4 (assuming the combustion chamber on the Aussie heads is 62cc), or 9.7 (assuming the chambers are 58cc). I can't find a definitive source that pegs down the chamber size on these castings (and they may well vary). I'll just have to measure them when I finally get them in hand. Even if the chambers are closer to the small size (58cc), I can probably drop the SCR a bit with a thicker head gasket.

I want this to be a back roads monster - thunderous off idle, and able to grumble through 3500-4000rpm without a hiccup. Most of the driving will be non-highway, lower rpm, but I want that kick in the pants when I get into the throttle.

Which cam Which cam Which cam?

 

why not the xe262h that has the same range as the 265deh you mensioned but alot more grunt?

 

For the XE262, I thought I might come up a little short on static compression ratio.

 

not at all, with a static of 9.6:1 you´ll be gettinga high Dynamic Compression Ratio iof 7.92 : 1, prettty good if you ask me...... Im gonna dyno all your cams and see the difrences...

 

Here´s a comparison using the stats you mensioned and asuming a scr of 9.6:1 :

265deh
torque 422@2000 - 438@3500
hp 354@4500
DCR 7.83 : 1
OCTANE 91 or better

xe262h
torque 431@2000 - 442@3500
hp 350@4500
DCR 7.92 : 1
OCTANE 91 or better

xe255h
torque 444@2000 - 449@3000
hp 343@4500
DCR 8.11 : 1
OCTANE 93 or better

I´d choose the xe262h the xe255h will get your dcr too high...

 

Well, I'm impressed, and certainly thankful for the information. I would have thought I had it down to those two grinds, but looking at the xe262, I think I may have a cam.

Thanks again.