Pontiac 400 Camshaft Comparison Opinion

[NCBadBird1979]

I made a post about 3 years ago, which is now gone due to the refresh on the site so I need your help. I'm hoping the same members are still active that responded before. One member ran the camshafts I had a question on their computer software for power estimates/comparison.

Car:
1979 Trans Am

Engine:
Pontiac 400 block
Approx 9.8-10:1 compression
Kauffman D-Port aluminum 74cc heads w/ 1.5 rockers
Edelbrock Performer intake
Long tube headers into true duals w/H- pipe & Flowmaster Super 10 mufflers
Upgraded Quadrajet carburetor from SMI Induction
DUI Ignition HEI distributor

Current Camshaft:
Erson Street Fighter #E310014
*I can give the cam specs if needed once I find where I put the cam card

Transmission/Rear Gearing:
Recently had a 200-4r built with all billet parts from CK Performance installed by my transmission builder
2200-2400 lockup converter
3.73 posi rear

I swapped the Kauffman heads on 3 years ago. At the time Jeff Kauffman mentioned that I might want to change to a different cam at some point to get the full power potential out of the heads. I opted not to do it at that time. Luckily I saved our email conversations  and he said "Most cams that we use with a 400 and our heads is in the 225-240 @ .050 duration range.  Common cam would be a Crower 60916 or 60244."

Recently I was talking to a buddy of mine that owns an engine shop and he said he recommends Howard's Cams and has had great success with them. He said they have a few cams for the Pontiac 400, but he brought up one he liked called the "Rattler" made by Howard's. Its # HRC418001-09. Here's a link to the specs on a vendor site: https://www.competitionproducts.com/mobile/Howards-Cams-Rattler-Hydraulic-Flat-Tappet-Camshaft-Pontiac-265-455/productinfo/HRC418001-09/#.YLwMMVMpAwA

The Howard's sounds good from videos I've seen but will it perform or is it just a noisemaker compared to the cam I have and the Crower cams mentioned? Anyone have software to run an estimate on these? I would prefer not to have to change to another torque converter but I may lose that battle by swapping to a larger cam.

The car is a cruiser. Just want to step it up a little.

[Vroom_vroom]

Call isky.
 I’m still mad at myself for not waiting when I had my motor down during the ‘Rona. Running a similar motor. I’m at 224/230@.050 and it pulls like a train. Even with my 3.23 I can’t hook up. It would run harder with a little more aggressive cam but I need some tires that stick. (Don’t get me wrong however it’s a very solid combo)
Fwiw I hit 325 rwt @ 1800rpm and peaked at just over 400. (Xr276)

I remember looking over the specs on the Howard’s and just not being impressed. Better options out there.

[NCBadBird1979]

So I found the cam card for the Erson Cam that's currently in the engine.

The Erson specs are:

RPM Range: 2000-4800
Duration ADV: Intake- 280, Exhaust- 290
Duration @50: Intake- 214, Exhaust- 224
Gross Lift: Intake- .443, Exhaust- .465
Lobe Separation: 112

[olds403]

NCbadBird79
The 214/224 is a very generic grind.  Its on 112 so it idles well for sure.  Once you get up in the 230 to 240 duration with .550 lift or more the car needs more fuel and more convertor.  Plus your idle qualities are compromised. If you are running vacuum brakes it will be an issue as well.  We run hydroboost for this reason.  While our motors are olds we run roller Lunati cam and you can run a bit more duration in them before you have issues.   We went to roller as too much to risk losing a cam at break end and destroying a motor.  Roller will need more seat pressure so have to swap valve springs.  I would suggest you get a custom grind/known grind for what you want to do.  If you are happy with the motor leave it alone. 

[Fbird]

the "rattler" is ok at best....more of a noise maker. I would recommend calling Bullet cams and talk to Tim Goolsby. He can surely dial you in on your combo