#3---Basic Cam Guidelines for Hydraulic Flat Tappets
Is this the right cam for me?

11/28/2013


"Real Chrysler Cams"
"REAL CHRYSLER CAMS" are specifically designed to provide very fast rates-of-lift, more area under the curve, higher cylinder pressure and vacuum. This is possible because they are designed for the .904" diameter stock Chrysler lifter. Other manufacturers design their cams for the smaller .842" diameter GM lifter which limit their potential. Fast rates of lift increase torque, horsepower and widen the power range, much like a roller camshaft. Both our hydraulic and solid tappet cams have fast rates of lift and are suitable for street, strip, or track use.
 
HEH Series Hydraulic Flat Tappet Camshafts

Camshaft P/N Small Block /
Big Block
Intake duration @ .050" tappet lift Power Range General engine/chassis requirements
Small Block Big Block
HEH 0515AL/
HEH 0515BL
205 IDLE
to
3600
IDLE
to
3600
Very stock engine, 2 bbl or small 4 bbl carb, single or dual exhaust. Light duty or stop and go driving. High rear gears. 150psi cylinder pressure. More torque for stock engines.
HEH 1019AL/
HEH 1019BL
210 IDLE
to
4200
IDLE
to
4200
Light to medium towing or RV, street 4x4, dual exhaust, 2 bbl or 4 bbl carb. 165psi suggested cylinder pressure, stock idle. Lots of low end torque for heavy vehicles or medium towing.
HEH 1523AL/
HEH 1523BL
215 1200
to
4800
IDLE
to
4800
Light car, mild street: medium to heavy towing or RV. Dual exhaust or headers, 4 bbl carb. Street gearing 3.00 to 3.55:1. 165psi suggested cylinder pressure. Good idle, resto/cruiser. Hot daily driver, mileage OK.
HEH 1928AL/
HEH 1928BL
219 1400
to
5200
IDLE
to
5200
First step in to mild street performance. For HP restoration engines. Dual exhaust or headers, 4 bbl carb. Street gearing 3.00 to 3.55:1. 165psi suggested cylinder pressure. Good idle, resto/cruiser. Hot daily driver, mileage OK.
HEH 2328AL/
HEH 2328BL
223 1600
to
5700
1600
to
5500
Mild street performance, hot resto., HP exhaust or headers, performance intake, 4 bbl or 3x2. 3.55:1+ gear. Some idle, performance head work, HP ported Stage I heads, 165psi suggested cylinder pressure. Hotter daily driver.
HEH 2832AL/
HEH 2832BL
228 2000
to
5900
2000
to
5800
Street performance and strip: HP exhaust or headers, performance intake 3.70:1+ gears, 4 bbl or 3x2, Idles so you know its in there. HP ported Stage I heads 165psi suggested cylinder pressure 2800rpm + stall. Very hot daily driver.
HEH 3237AL /
HEH 3237BL
232 2200
to
6000
2100
to
6000
Hotter Street performance and strip: HP exhaust or headers, performance intake 3.70:1+ gears, 4 bbl or 3x2, Idles so you know its in there. HP ported Stage I heads 165psi suggested cylinder pressure 2800rpm + stall. Very hot daily driver.
HEH 3742AL/
HEH 3742BL
237 2400
to
6400
2400
to
6200
Serious street and strip: oval track, mud racers. 3.91:1 gears, noticeable idle, 3000rpm + stall. High rise dual plane, 3x2 or small single plane intake, headers required. Stage I or II HP ported heads. 170psi suggested cylinder pressure.
HEH 4246AL/
HEH 4246BL
242 3000
to
6600
2600
to
6400
Serious street, and strip. 3400rpm+ stall. 4.10:1 gear. Single plane or 2x4 intake. Headers required. Stage II HP ported heads. See cylinder pressure note below. Hot street for stroker engines.
HEH 4650AL/
HEH 4650BL
246 3000
to
6600
2600
to
6500
Strip. 3400rpm+ stall. 4.10:1 gear. Single plane or 2x4 intake. Headers required. Stage II HP ported heads. See cylinder pressure note belowHot street for stroker engines.
HEH 5055AL/
HEH 5055BL
250 3200
to
6800
2800
to
6600
Use where rules demand a hydraulic camshaft. 3800rpm+ stall. 4.56:1 gear, large single plane or 2x4 intake. Stage II or Stage III HP ported heads. See cylinder pressure note below Street/Strip for stroker engines.
HEH 5561AL/
HEH 5561BL
255 3400
to
7000
3000
to
7000
Use where rules demand a hydraulic camshaft. 4000rpm+ stall. 4.56:1 gear, large single plane or 2x4 intake. Stage II or Stage III HP ported heads. See cylinder pressure note belowStreet/Strip for 500ci stroker engines.

Cylinder Pressure Note: 165# of cylinder pressure is the best cylinder pressure for Iron heads with 92 octane, unadultered gasoline. 190# is best for aluminum heads. If hifgher octane is available, higher cylinder pressure should be used. We can caluclate the cylinder pressure for customers.
Note: With any hydraulic camshaft larger than our HEH 1523AL/BL grind, we strongly encourage using adjustable rocker arms. The stock, stamped rockers do not have a true 1.5:1 ratio. They will check somewhere between 1.38:1 and 1.45:1 ratio. This will yield a loss of lift (up to .045"), 2/3 duration loss and also slow the rate-of-lift resulting in a possible 25HP loss. Any camshaft using double valve springs must use adjustable rocker arms to prevent damage when the stock rocker arms break.

Power Ranges: These are the "sweet spot" in the power range. Generally we suggest shifting at 300-500 RPM above the "sweet spot" for the best ET's. If you need more power above the shown power range, select the next larger camshaft. If you need more power below the shown power range, select the next smaller camshaft. If you keep your foot in it, they will pull well past their sweet spot.

Spring Warning: Our camshafts are not comparable to other manufacturers and require special valve spring pressures to operate and live satisfactorily. ONLY USE springs meeting the specifications listed here or on the provided cam cards. Valve spring pressures and installed heights are supplied with each camshaft.
 
Be sure and read all of our Camshaft Education articles. Click on the links below. 
   * Choosing a "Real" Chrysler Cam 
    * Camshaft Frequently Asked Questions

 

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