1970 Nova SS 350, XE268 idling

1970 Nova SS, numbers matching build, 357”, 9.5:1, XE268, 1970 double hump 1.94s, RPM Air Gap, 750 vac sec, 1 5/8” headers, 2.5” exhaust with 2 chamber Flowmasters.

[@MrIgor1955]

Nice car. I've used the Comp XE268H cams in both small and big block Chevy's and love the way they sound and perform. With the right combination of parts, those cams smoke the competition while still being able to have good vacuum for power brakes and use a stock torque converter. Love the lope at idle.

[@abelymandi]

My dad had a sparkly blue nova when I was a kid I am a sucker for old muscle cars❤️

[@johnorear8119]

I love that sound

[@AJsSpeedShop]

Yeah it sounds pretty good for such a mild cam/engine.

[@m.pietro9087]

Nice car. It idles great.

[@josephtorres383]

Had the same set up in my 72 c10 with single chamber flowmasters.

[@Deucealive75]

Needs more views. Super nice car here.

[@cordovanbee713]

Sweet car, thanks for sharing

[@tanyav7888]

Sounds very nice!

[@Anth4044]

Ohhhh my Gosh now that's one Beautiful sleeper💪💪💪

[@lollipop84858]

A sleeper is something that has a quiet smooth idle. This type of idle isn't a sleeper, dick head.

[@tanyav7888]

Mechanical music!

[@hackertheslacker]

Nice ride. I also had a factory tach in a 72 when I owned it. Similar engine set-up as well.

[@AJsSpeedShop]

Very cool!

[@julietoozie]

Very nice combo!

[@musclebone7875]

Sounds good!

[@Lucille69caddy]

NICE

[@LostNationStudios]

Beauty. What RPMs are you idling at? I'm guessing 750+?

[@AJsSpeedShop]

Yeah it’s between 750-800 rpms at idle. A little more with the AC on.

[@saigesosa1160]

What's your timing set to bro I have the same cam but I'm having a hard time timing it correctly

[@AJsSpeedShop]

I have the timing at 34* total, it’s about 20* initial and I have travel limiters on the weights to keep them about 14* centrifugal. I think I used the silver springs to bring it all in by 2000 rpms. Mine idles ok when it’s warm. When it’s cold, it won’t idle if you try to throw it in gear. Has to warm up a good while. Carb seems lean on the idle circuit even with the screws 3 turns out. It’s fine when warm so I don’t worry about it.

[@mattswitzer5050]

Are you using a stock torque converter by chance? Comp says it's the biggest you can run, but looking for some input on how it idles in gear at stops, etc.

[@AJsSpeedShop]

No. I’m using the Hughes 2500 stall. Part number GM25. Car idles fine with it in gear, even with the AC on. I do have a fast idle solenoid for running the AC though.

[@MauricioHernandez-st8su]

Beautiful car. And beautiful sound. I have a question. Somepeople say the xe cams make a terrible noise in the valves train. Truth or not? Thanks 👍👍👌

[@AJsSpeedShop]

The valvetrain is pretty quiet in this one. Still using stock rocker arms and 3/4 turn of preload. I can’t really hear any clatter in it...I mean it’s probably not as quiet as stock GM lifters/cam but....for shitty Comp lifters it’s pretty quiet I’d say.

[@MauricioHernandez-st8su]

@@AJsSpeedShop again thank. You run with the stock springs? Thanks

[@AJsSpeedShop]

@@MauricioHernandez-st8su OH NOOOO...You can’t run stock springs with a cam this size. Also you don’t want to use stock studs. We converted to screw in studs, guide plates, hardened push rods, and a decent single spring with damper. About 120# on the seat and 350# open. It revs clean to 6300 or so.

[@MauricioHernandez-st8su]

@@AJsSpeedShop ok i will do. But like you said i will keep the rockers thanks 👍

[@robertjeffers3218]

what rear gear do you have in it,very nice bob

[@AJsSpeedShop]

It has a 3.55 gear in the 12 bolt.

[@superduty4556]

Is that a factory tach? Looks awesome. Never seen one before.

[@AJsSpeedShop]

Yeah it’s the factory tach.

[@thomassmithkll1496]

What kind of muffler on there sounds good

[@AJsSpeedShop]

It has 2.5” Flowmaster 2 chambers....I think the DeltaFlows. And 2.25” tail pipes in the stock location.

[@sethdalton24]

Is this the XE268 comp cam with a 480 lift?

[@AJsSpeedShop]

.477” intake/ .480” Exh

[@bigbadburban9660]

ajrothm what is the love separation?

[@bigbadburban9660]

ajrothm lobe*

[@MaxDoody]

BigBadBurban 96 that cam has a lobe separation of 110 degrees

[@TwinStickFilms]

Where did you degree the cam at?

[@AJsSpeedShop]

106* intake centerline. The Roll Master chain was right on the money at 0*/0*.

[@anthonyhermes3593]

What heads do you have on it?

[@AJsSpeedShop]

It has the original 350/300hp double hump heads with 1.94 valves. Just rebuilt with screw in studs and good springs. This is the original numbers matching engine. Just warmed up a little.

[@kevinfinney7541]

What octane are you using for 9.5:1 ?

[@AJsSpeedShop]

We just run it on 93 octane from any gas station.

[@joeyvillarreal7281]

Is it auto with stall ?

[@AJsSpeedShop]

Yes, T350 and a Hughes GM25 converter. (2500 stall), 3.55 gears.

[@rickyjaimes2942]

What series flowmaster, sounds nice

[@AJsSpeedShop]

2.5” Flowmaster Super 44s

[@alekdeschenesdube5643]

Close to 400hp?

[@AJsSpeedShop]

No I doubt it. Probably 350hp or close to it. It has stock double hump heads and is only about 9.5-1 compression.

[@1965l88]

@@AJsSpeedShop You're probably right on the money: www.compcams.com/xe268h Nice sound, by the way. Sounds like the old 350 horse 327 cam. Music to my ears.

[@graan141]

BORE SIZE?

[@AJsSpeedShop]

.040” over bore. So it’s a 357”.

[@graan141]

@@AJsSpeedShop thanks brother