Ideal cam timing for stock 3.0 with Webers?

[moparrob]

I've searched for about 30 minutes but can't seem to find any prior threads that discuss this topic.

I have been hearing that a way to extract additional performance from a stock '79 SC motor that now has Weber 40's and headers on it is to manipulate the cam timing away from the factory stock settings.

IIRC, the stock setting is at 1.0mm but I could be mistaken. Is there any consensus on a street driven car as to whether there is a more beneficial cam timing setting so as to take advantage of the stock cams with the Webers and 1 5/8 headers?

Any info would be appreciated.

Rob

[Steve@Rennsport]

Rob,

As you know, cam timing affect the powerband to some degree so the answer to your question really lies with how one drives the car. Advancing the timing generates more low-end torque and retarding the timing makes a little more high-end power.

On another subject, your 1 5/8" headers are too big for a stock-cammed SC motor and you are giving up low & mid-range power for no real gains on top since SC cams are all done by 6400 RPM... 1.5" ones would be a better choice unless you change cams & pistons.

[moparrob]

Steve, thanks for the input.

When I bought the headers I knew they were a bit on the large size for the stock configuration, but due to the fact they were obtained at a price I couldn't refuse ($250 brand new ceramic coated) and the fact I would probably be modifying the engine at some point in the future, I decided to go for it.

The engine I bought has slightly over 100K on it, so it will probably run for a while as is. I really didn't want to incur the expense of tearing it apart to install new cams since I am going to guess that is in the $2000 range with parts and labor.

Keep in mind this is going into a 914-6 so even a stock 180 horse engine should be a lot of fun for a while.

So back to my question, given that this is a street driven car where torque will be more desirable than top end HP,would advancing the cam timing help to make up for some of the problems I created with the headers?