i have a 65 coupe 289 with a 3 speed. i recently added tri-y headers and flowmaster 40 full exhaust. it is also is a 4 barrell if that means anything..... my question is i am gonna add a cam, what is the best cam available regardless of price. i like a nice loud choppy sound, but i have heard if u go too big it can effect performance. this prolly the last engine mod i will add so keep that in mind. honestly have no idea about engines, so whatever u guys suggest i am gonna get....... someone suggested a big bertha cam, sound familiar??

thank you so much in advance for all responses

 

i would suggest a cam with nominal lift (under 500) with a lot of overlap. that is why the stockers in drag racing have such a loud poppy sound to them.

 

Typically an off the shelf cam with a choppy sounding idle, won't make good power in a mostly stock engine, the car needs to be built up to use it right, and often the cam that makes the best sound(subjective) doesn't make the best performance. Call a cam grinder like FTI or Camshaft Innovations and have them grind you a hydraulic roller cam. I wouldn't even try screwing with flat tappets these days, modern oils suck ***** with flat tappets and they're hard to break in. A roller will run better anyway.

 

The hydraulic roller cam option is a good one, however it will require you to drill holes in your lifter valley to retain the roller lifters from turning in their bores. If this is something you are comfortable with taking on, it is hard for a flat tappet cam to rival the gains of a roller. Sure fire way to find the cam for your combo is to call a cam help line. Make sure you are prepped with all the info they will require to get it right for you. Tire height, gear ratio, car weight, and desired rpm are just a few...good luck