Hey guys im building a healthy 400 for my 78 F150 4x4 and i was looking at cams, and im making this a Very Cheap rebuild, have you guys every used a Summit cam and lifter set? How did it run? What was it in?

 

I've been wondering the same thing about the summit parts, except my engine is a 460. By the description on summit, it seems like the summit cams don't produce the power through as wide of an RPM range as others such as edelbrock. But that's just what I've read on the part descriptions, no real experience with them here.

 

Yeah and the summit cams had bigger valve lifts and longer durations at .050" as well...hmmm...thinkin' 'bout takin' this chance...

 

Not a chance at all, I used the .509/.509 cam and lifter kit from them last year on my 400 in my 79 150 4X4 auto, and it was GREAT!

I cammed it as part of a valve spring, intake, headers, timing set, carb project, and it hauled for what it was! A real tire twister! I got the carb used for 50$, and the entire project gaskets and all came to I think like 500something$.

That cam specifically is a very good cam for a mild 400 project. Not at all big enough to cause any rough idling or vac loss or anything like that, but big enough to notice, and it works very well right in the 400's intended RPM range.

The valve springs to match were tough to track down, but ask me if you want the part number and I'll dig it up.

AleX

 

THANKS A MILLION!!!!!!!! Thats sweet, sounds like a good cam and lifter set for me! Yeah a matching set of springs for that cam would be great, as my motors already got a holley 650 cfm 4bbl, edelbrock performer 400 intake manifold, mild porting and polishing to the heads, HV oil pump, Headers, and the cam, lifters, and spring set! How much do you think ill make? I used a dyno program and it predicted 423hp and 500ft lbs of torque

 

Would these springs work good with that .509/.509 cam? Thats the exact cam i was looking at too btw!
Edelbrock 5822 - Edelbrock Sure Seat Valve Springs - Overview - SummitRacing.com

 

I ran a summit cam and lifters in a 1982 Merc Capri 5.0 and I was impressed at the power. This was over 10 years ago and I haven't used one since but I don't have anything bad to say about them.

 

I don't have any concrete way to answer your number question, my engine was never dyno'd, or anything close. I do think I had a more potent combination than what people told me I did/should, in my opinion because of the MUCH stiffer than stock springs (the faster the valves shoot closed, the higher the dynamic compression ratio, since less air escapes past them). You're not going to be anywhere in the range of the numbers that program gave you though. I'd guess my combination was puting out 280 to maaaaybe 300 hp, and up to 400 tq. With your slightly larger carb (mine was a Holley 600), and headwork, I'd put you at 300 hp comfortably, and about equal torque to mine. That 650 carb is a little much for a low RPM 400, so it won't give you quite optimum tq at low RPM's (smaller carb=higher intake air speed=better mixed fuel=more bang), but it, and your headflow work will help your hp.

Just to put it in perspective, I just bought/am puting together my last 400's replcement, a 4V closed chamber headed, 10.3 CR, full roller 400, and IT is only going to make somewhere around 420 hp, and high 4's tq.

Don't be disappointed though, like I said earlier, for your money, the amount of work/time it will take, and the likeliehood that your project will work out in the end (as opposed to mine, which has almost destroyed me currently haha), you're going to be very happy with the way it drives.

I'm still looking for those spring specs, and I can't answer your question about the ones you put up yet because all my notes are on one stupid, lost, piece of paper haha. I'll find it soon.

AleX

 

Oh haha okay thanks alex, well the 650 wont be too bad at the low end, but when i go out to the mud holes to play on the weekends, i think itll help when im holdin her around 3 grand though.

 

O yaya no not too bad by any means, probably not noticeable except on paper.

 

Ask where the cam is made. If it's like the other "Summit" brand of parts, probably made in China. Not something I would put in my engine with all the work required and have it break due to cheap materials. I trust NOTHING made in China!! I live in USA and support where I live. If you save $100 on a cam and it breaks and destroys the engine....what did you save???

 

$40, but hey, it was a free complete stock 400 i got to start off with, and i have a whole 351m sittin on the sidelines thats all complete and running...im not really to concerned about it