I'm going to have a mail order stroker shortblock built but I already have a set of ported heads. I assume my cam will be a bit too small for the larger motor (222/230, .533/.544, 112 lsa). I'd like to have a cam selected and installed by the builder but I'm not sure what info I can give via phone that can get me going in the right direction. I've seen it mentioned quite a bit on these boards that the cam has to be matched to the heads but I have no idea what this entails. Can this be done by just knowing the flow #s for a particular set of heads? When building a motor, is it necessary for the builder to have the heads in hand for the proper cam to be selected? What factors are there to be considered when trying to pick the proper cam?

 

The easy & cheap way would be to sell your heads/cam and get Joe Overton to do you up a package

Or have him look at the heads and see if there is somethign he cna do with them and pick a cam based on how they flow

 

The whole package should be matched, including the engine, transmission, axle ratio and the intended use. With this information, as well as good flow numbers and port sizes, compression ratio, intake configuration/size, headers and exhaust, and anything else you know, a decent simulation program can evaluate camshaft profiles and help your choice.

In other words, where are you now? where do you want to go? and what equipment do you have to get you there?

There are folks who do this for a living and some who volunteer the information here if they have the time.

My $.02