Best Cam For Stock 454: Reviews (2024)

Wondering what the best cam for stock 454 is? Look no further; it’s right here. We’ve found and reviewed the top 5 models for you.

The camshaft plays a vital role in enhancing engine performance. It is installed with the pistons to operate the poppet valves.

Technically, what a camshaft does is lift the valve to provide more power to the engine.

Doing so makes the piston open the intake stroke to accelerate the air/fuel mixture into the cylinder. That is how it offers power to the engine through combustion.

A viable camshaft keeps the valves open for a long period. Let’s have a look at some of the best cams for Stock 454:

Best Cam For Stock 454: Top 5 Models

Image	Model	RPM Range	Price
	Lunati 10110703LK (Top Pick)	1800-6200	Check Price
	Howards Cams CL120245-12	1800-5400	Check Price
	Edelbrock 7162	1500-6500	Check Price
	COMP Cams CL11-600-4	1800-5600	Check Price
	COMP Cams K11-242-3	1800-5600	Check Price

1. Lunati 10110703LK Voodoo 227/233 Hydraulic Flat Cam/Lifter Kit (Editor’s Choice)

Lunati Cams are designed with perfection to offer slower closing sides, better engine sound, and enhanced performance. As a result, it can be an excellent choice for a Stock 454.

Features

1. Throttle Response: Since this camshaft covers more area under the curve, it offers good throttle response, enhanced acceleration, along with good horsepower and torque.
2. RPM Range: With an RPM range of 1800-6200, this cam delivers top-notch horsepower to the engine.
3. Lift And Lobe Separation: The lift at 050 intake duration is 227, and at 050 exhaust, it is 233. Moreover, it offers a lobe separation of 110 degrees as well.

Pros

• Delivers more vacuum and enhances performance.
• Durable.
• Versatile (covers application including towing, fuel injection, muscle car, off-road, street road, etc.).
• Comes with valve springs, assembly lube, lifters, and other accessories.

Cons

• It only works with valve springs.

This can be a good pick if you are looking for a versatile camshaft. This one is durable and also quite effective.

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2. Howards Cams CL120245-12 Cam And Lifter Set

Howards Cam can be a good pick if you are looking for fair idle. It is manufactured with high-end race-ready cores that make it more durable and efficient.

Features

1. Lift (Intake/Exhaust): This Howard Cam delivers a lift of 225 when the intake manifold duration is 050 inches. The lift is 231 in case of exhaust duration.
2. Better Performance: Thanks to the materials used to manufacture this camshaft, the engine gets crisp throttle, has better valve durations, and has excellent acceleration.
3. Hydraulic Roller Tappet Style: Hydraulic roller tappet-style camshafts deliver more horsepower, and so does this one. It reduces friction and enhances engine performance.

Pros

• Supports 3-bolt camshaft gear attachment.
• 112-degree lobe separation.
• Fair idle with 1800-5400 RPM.
• Smooth fitting.

Cons

• Expensive.

This camshaft is easy to install thanks to the 3-bolt camshaft gear attachment option. Moreover, it is also good at maximizing engine performance.

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3. COMP Cams CL11-600-4 Thumpr 227/241 Hydraulic Flat Cam and Lifter Kit

If you search for an efficient camshaft for a 454, then Comp Cams CL11-600-4 can be a good option. This hydraulic tappet offers a good lift and RPM range.

Features

1. Duration: The camshaft duration is related to how much power it will offer to the engine. Therefore, cams with longer duration are better. As a result, they help enhance engine performance. This cam does well in this regard as it offers a lift of 227 when the intake duration is at .50”. Similarly, it offers a life of 241 when the exhaust duration is .50 inches.
2. Hydraulic Roller Tappet Style: This style asks for less maintenance and helps minimize friction. This helps ensure higher HP.
3. Lobe Separation: With a lobe separation of 117 degrees, this cam keeps the poppets open for a longer duration.
4. Range: It offers an RPM range between 1800-5600 RPM.

Pros

• Comes with assembly lubricant, lifters, and instruction manual.
• Offers long exhaust duration and early intake valve opening.
• Fits perfectly on Chevrolet 396-454 stocks.
• Improves engine sound.

Cons

• A valve spring upgrade might be required.

This camshaft is ideal for Stock 454 as it offers a good opening duration and has a lopey idle sound.

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4. Edelbrock 7162 Performer Cam and Lift Kit

A good RPM and longer lift is the heart of an engine, and this camshaft can prove it. In addition, it offers high-end street and strip use and is known to enhance performance.

Features

1. Valve Lift And Duration: The lobe separation angle on the camshaft is 112 degrees. It offers a lift of 240 when the intake duration is 0.50 inches and the exhaust duration is 246.
2. RPM Range: It offers an RPM range of 1500-6500 RPM. It helps to maintain 10-12 inches of vacuum when idle.
3. Performance: This cam is designed to enhance the torque and improve the throttle response of an engine.

Pros

• Comes with lifters and assembly lubricant.
• It is tested and tuned on engine dynamometers for maximum performance.
• Extremely durable.
• Hydraulic tappet-style offers good horsepower.

Cons

• Rocker arms, gaskets, pushrods, timing chains are not included in the kit.

This kit can be a good pick as it will improve your engine performance thanks to the longer valve opening duration and extensive RPM range.

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5. COMP Cams K11-242-3 Xtreme Energy 224/230 Hydraulic Flat Cam K-Kit

It is designed to handle street machines and works well with 1800+ Stall. With a wide RPM range, expect to deliver excellent horsepower to your engine by accelerating air/fuel mixture into the cylinder.

Features

1. Lobe Separation And Lift: It offers a lobe separation of 110 degrees and delivers a lift of 224 when the intake duration is 0.50 inches. In the case of exhaust duration, the lift provided is 230 at 50 inches.
2. Timing Chain Style: It incorporates a double non-roller timing chain style. This one uses gears with two sets of teeth that are mated into two rows of chains. Hence, they are stronger yet very light in weight.
3. Longer Duration: With an increased vacuum engine prolongs the valves’ duration and enhances engine performance.

Pros

• Ideal for street machines.
• Super durable.
• Works well with aftermarket intake manifolds.
• Improves responsiveness thanks to superior lobes.

Cons

• Doesn’t work well with stock valve springs.

This cam is stronger than most and capable of delivering extreme power to the engine. It does so by offering good valve duration and throttle response.

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How to Pick the Best Cam for Stock 454

The market is full of cams for stock 454. Make sure to keep the following factors in mind when picking a unit so that you can get the best cam for Stock 454.

1. Duration & Lift: Pick a cam that is capable of delivering more lift. Lift is associated with RPM power. Therefore, the higher the lift, the better will be engine power and efficiency.
2. Engine Sound: A modern camshaft with a fair idle will improve engine sound and offer a better throttle response.
3. Quality: Choose a camshaft that can bear wear and tear. We suggest it’s best to go with hydraulic roller tappets. They can bear the heat, but the same cannot be said for other cam types.
4. Camshaft Type: There are many kinds of camshafts available, and each one has its pros and cons:
5. Hydraulic Rollers: These are good at reducing friction and offering more engine horsepower.
6. Retrofit: They work quite like hydraulic rollers but only fit taller hydraulic rollers.
7. Hydraulic Flat Tappet: They are not used extensively because they wear out soon. However, they do help enhance engine performance.

Best Cam For Stock 454: Final Thoughts

All the cams discussed above are great. Pick one considering your needs and budget. For us, Edelbrock 7162 is the number one pick as it is affordable and offers an excellent RPM range (1500-6500). Plus, it is pretty durable as well.

In our opinion, it’s the best cam for stock 454.