What cam for Vortec head swapped, 260hp mercruiser?
 

Hello everyone,

I'm thinking of one of these two cam packages for my new 350 build.

Specs:
Refurb Vortec 062 heads and new stock springs - good to .480 lift - will these springs support my cam choices below?
No roller Gen 1 5.7 350
Currently has factory 260hp camshaft installed, not sure on specs..

I'm thinking of picking up one of these two comp cam/lifter sets for the boat. Boat has factory manifolds and corsa captain call exhaust. Which would you choose and why?

​​​​​​https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-cl12-232-3
​​​​​​https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-cl12-236-3

Thanks for the advice!!

Why a flat tappet cam? Go with a roller cam and lifters you won't regret it.

Sounds like a lot of $$ and work to convert over, no? What all is involved to do this?

The flat tappet cam will work won't it?

Thanks!

Of those two i would go with the second bigger cam.

i'd recommend the 12-236-3. I used it in my 88 Baja and it helped my stock 260 with a very nice increase in midrange torque and reduced fuel use. It didn't give me any top end, well a little. But it really made the boat holeshot like a tow boat.
That engine did not have vortec heads though and they make a difference. They breathe very well compared to the truck heads I had.
To get the most oomf use the thinnest MLS head gasket you can to push up your compression ratio. I think the .027 from Cometic is the ticket. Unless the engine block is decked, in which case try for a .040 quench distance from the piston tops to the close section of the heads. .
It's also OK to bump your timing to get your all-in to 32 degrees.
If you have to get pistons get some with a vortec mirroring top. It makes the whole package detonation resistant.

The small chambers of the vortec head will increase your compression to 9.4:1 or so. They make a big difference in power over the old style heads