rebuilding a ZZ502 and the customer wants a better sound and a little more power. what has everyone tried on these crate motors?
it is going in a '67 Chevelle with a 5 speed manual so no reversion issues. I did up the compression to around 10 to 1 but I dont want anything that cant run the stock dog bone lifters or is too radical as this thing is probably already over his driving talent in stock form but just needs to be racier sounding.

Decent rear gear ?

Anyway, something around 240I/248E at .050” and 110-112lsa will wake that fuk’r up even more. Bullet / Howards / etc will have something on the shelf.

pretty sure it is a 3.55 or so gear but have to confirm it. was thinking about calling bullet as they have done cams for me before and really for the small difference in price it is worth it. just wanted to see if others have experience with this engine. so far not impressed with it as it had to be honed with a torque plate to true it up and several pistons had all the rings, oil included, lined up with in a inch area. it used a lot of oil, like a quart every 500 miles or so.

This one (Isky) will fit the bill:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/i...rolet#overview

Mike Jones...Jones Cams...or Bullet as mentioned.

Jones has a good cam form to fill out for both auto and marine. I think they're about $589 for a custom hyd rolller. Maybe a bit less.

Stock dog bone lifters can generally take a 0.630" lift, before the liftet drops down too deep on the base circle. You want a min 0.100" of the lifter left in the dogbone.

Stock lifters are good for 140lbs seat to just under 400lbs open. Spring and lobe dependant. Not all lobes are shaped to be friendly on lifters. Jones will spec a cam that would work with the ZZ502 lifters.

These guys are another option. They have been around a long time.

https://claysmithcams.com

What kind of 5 speed is it the old nash/ Richmond gear 5 with the super low first gear, with a 3.55 rear that will turn the tires into licorice instantly, traction maybe an issue, I thing those had a 1to 1 5th gear, or is a newer overdrive 5.

I had the old Richmond 5speed and I switched to a 3.08 rear as traction in first was an issue, with a nasty 502 it will make great smoke shows but hard to hook up, but of course when you hook up hard parts start to break.

that one looks like it would be fun but with a 3-7k rpm range that is more than this guy could handle. if he turns it 6k from time to time I would be surprised. you have to remember most of these guys are trying to look cool as they go get their double lattes. car has a tremic 5 speed so overdrive trans. no matter the cam this thing will likely just blow the tires off he just wants it to pull good and sound mean. guy is 50 years old and I am putting cut outs on the exhaust to impress everyone. this is his first muscle car and seems most of these guys are trying to live out what they missed when they were 18.