Whatsthis tie bar rollers?
More for a less agressive cam?
Are you suggesting that a cam with a more agressive ramp could also resolve the ping issue but would require roller rockers?
Just looking at all options here.
Thanks heaps for the replies everyone, im overwhelmed with the response and appreciate the ideas here.
I am leaning gently towards a 284 but i have read some places about plug fouling issues and easy to be spotted by cops with the cam.. then referred to epa etc.
I really do drive in the much lower rev range whuch was why i went the smaller cam, more low end torque.
Purely from a cost perspective re cam:
don’t bother with roller cam - cost of cam alone is approx $350 more than a flat tappet cam. Tie bar lifters to suit early blocks like I suspect you have will cost around $1200. Then there’s pushrods, valve springs to handle the extra lift of a roller cam, coated oil pump gear, locks, retainers etc which you’d budget an additional $400-600 for. Then machining the heads for spring seats. You’d also need roller rockers to deal with the lift. Roller rockers are still a great idea for valvetrain reliability even with flat tappet.
As for your concern of a noticeably modified engine, a histall can help with this. With stock stall and a 284 you’ll need to run a low idle rpm to stop it pushing forward on the brakes. A histall will allow a higher idle rpm so it’ll sound smoother. With a decent tune you’d barely know it were cammed. The extra comp will help here too. Shouldn’t be any fouling issues with a cam as small as a 284.
For a 284 I’d be looking at a 2800rpm converter. It’ll drive like stock when you want it to. I’d put money into stall before I’d go roller cam.
