high performance cam for 140/3.0???

madman2021

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Dec 17, 2010
Messages
172
ive found on ebay about 3 or 4 different cams made by isky for the chevy 151 or 181. was wondering if these would be any good for better performance/gas milage/and rough idle with thru hull exhaust? has anyone used them before? good or no good? thoughts or opinions?

thanks
 

HT32BSX115

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 8, 2005
Messages
10,083
Re: high performance cam for 140/3.0???

Howdy,

You already have a cam that's optimized for a marine application. Any other cam that increases the duration and/or might improve performance will also increase chances for reversion.

If you want more performance, and unless you want to go to a "dry-stack", you'll need to get a bigger engine....


Cheers,


Rick
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
70,465
Re: high performance cam for 140/3.0???

Ayuh,... What you're seeing are cams for Hot Rod Cars, with the Iron Duke motors...

They are Very Different that the motors We use in Boats....
For 1 thing, the distributer is in a Different spot....
 

madman2021

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Dec 17, 2010
Messages
172
Re: high performance cam for 140/3.0???

the ad states there made for mercruiser 2.5 and 3.0
 

ziggy

Admiral
Joined
Jun 30, 2004
Messages
7,473
Re: high performance cam for 140/3.0???

to be blunt. give it up.
i been reading these forums for a few years and the I4 and I6 have no mod's to make them anything more than they are. both are way durable engines, but they can never be made into something other than what they are. if ya want something ya can work with. get a 4.3 or a 5.7. these have possibilities for souping up some.
thats imho from what i have read here for years. unless someone changes my mind, i believe it too.
fwiw. i just keep my I6 in good tune. it'll never be a racer. but it sure makes for a great pleasure boat/ski boat/cruiser engine..... depending on the boat, yers will likely be similar (unless you boat is truly under powered).
 

Howard Sterndrive

Rear Admiral
Joined
Nov 5, 2008
Messages
4,603
Re: high performance cam for 140/3.0???

looks like maybe .030" more lift, but close to stock
a marine/rv cam is what car folk call a "mild cam"
which would be a peppy cam for the 62 Chevy II
they aren't advertising it as anything other than that

the price is ok - summit is cheaper

edit: - just comparing this cam to stock - not sure it would be ok with stock springs at .510, but probably ok

my concern is the 109 lobe separation.. looks like this is for some sort of flat track racing application more than marine

the stock cam is 112 deg.

the one Isky recommends for marine is also 112 deg
part number 251256
 

madman2021

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Dec 17, 2010
Messages
172
Re: high performance cam for 140/3.0???

im not saying im trying to build a racer, im just looking to alternatives for a little more power. im quite satisfied now with the performance i have now. 47 mph with a 21P. not bad for a 4 banger. but it would be nice to have a rougher idle and better low end power when i have the 21P prop on it. 4-5 people struggles to plane, but once up it flys. i was thinking cam or smart tabs.
 

ziggy

Admiral
Joined
Jun 30, 2004
Messages
7,473
Re: high performance cam for 140/3.0???

im just looking to alternatives for a little more power
that's just it. a little won't do ya. ya won't notice it. so why bother. what the oem provides is as good as it gets.
im quite satisfied now with the performance i have now. 47 mph with a 21P. not bad for a 4 banger.
outstanding. hows yer holeshot? top speed is to much though. sweet. my 165 L6 19' only does 41 or so. maybe 42 gps...
but it would be nice to have a rougher idle and better low end power when i have the 21P prop on it. 4-5 people struggles to plane, but once up it flys. i was thinking cam or smart tabs.
think v8, not mods to your I4...


imho.... :)
 

kilowatts

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 3, 2009
Messages
299
Re: high performance cam for 140/3.0???

Hi Guys:

I'm with Ziggy. If you start installing items in a marine engine which are not really for marine use you will more than likely have problems. From your stats, no matter what you do I can't imagine your boat getting better performance than you have already. Maybe time for a bigger boat?

kilowatts
 

madman2021

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Dec 17, 2010
Messages
172
Re: high performance cam for 140/3.0???

why does the top speed seem to high? the boat handles just fine. currently no trim tabs, hydrofoil, or finned anoide. getting around to 2 of those eventually.

im thinking maybe a 75 shot of NOS will be nice =P lol.
 

GLENN M

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 14, 2010
Messages
204
Re: high performance cam for 140/3.0???

marine needs a wide L.S.A to prevent water reversion thats why the 112. 109 would be way to much valve overlap. in gen 1 small blocks 480 lift is as high as you can go without screw in studs and guide plates.the purple strip z-28 valve springs were good for 480 lift but to go 510 lift you needed something better.and the specs on that cam are way past rv cam.go to comp cam and check it out. i ported my 140 head [should say cleaned it up] had a 3angle valve grind and i noticed improvement.
 

dockwrecker

Lieutenant
Joined
Mar 10, 2006
Messages
1,392
Re: high performance cam for 140/3.0???

Smart tab it at most and leave it alone. That should satisfy your wing urges. Slap on an STP sticker or maybe a Mallory one. Next get a CD with drag racing noises on it and play it at the docks for the babes. They'll dig it..
But seriously what you're getting out of that thing is pretty much all there is, and it sounds like it's doing a good job. Enjoy it. With Smart Tabs. And babes...vrooom!
 

Bondo

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Staff member
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Apr 17, 2002
Messages
70,465
Re: high performance cam for 140/3.0???

but it would be nice to have a rougher idle and better low end power

Ayuh,... A rough idle equates to pizzpoor docking...'n there's No low end power with that cam...
It states it's a 2000 rpm to 6000 rpm cam...
The cam don't make More power, it just moves the same power, Farther up the rpm band...
Putting that cam in yer motor, it'll Never even get onto plane...

Either be Happy with what you've got,...
Or,...
Buy a boat with a Bigger Motor...
 

frank246

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 18, 2009
Messages
293
Re: high performance cam for 140/3.0???

Porting and polishing adds some hp but then the log exhaust makes it all undone.
Good luck!
 
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