Cam choice help pls
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 575
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From: Nice Lake Ontario
Cam choice help pls
I know this is a little early in my engine build-swap process but I ran across a good deal on a Crane 292H cam!
First here's what I'm into & have.. mid 80s 454 from pick-up to be tore down & checked. A set of 290 heads which are in good shape! Going into an BB 69 car with 4sp & .336 gears. Intake is still up in the air? May use standard iron intake & quad or go for aluminum intake & Holley in the 750 range?
I'm lookin for decent driver type power, rpm range 1500-2000rpm to 6000 absolute max, even 5500 would be good. I live very rural (closest stop light is 40 miles
so I don't need a RV type cam! I'm lookin for a decent lope, sound is everything 
What are the guru cam suggestions please??
Hydrolic or Solid? I have no problem with solids, ran a GM 178 LT-1 cam in my 74 SB with very good results
Would the 292H Crane fit the bill or should I take my time & get exactly what I need??
First here's what I'm into & have.. mid 80s 454 from pick-up to be tore down & checked. A set of 290 heads which are in good shape! Going into an BB 69 car with 4sp & .336 gears. Intake is still up in the air? May use standard iron intake & quad or go for aluminum intake & Holley in the 750 range?
I'm lookin for decent driver type power, rpm range 1500-2000rpm to 6000 absolute max, even 5500 would be good. I live very rural (closest stop light is 40 miles
so I don't need a RV type cam! I'm lookin for a decent lope, sound is everything What are the guru cam suggestions please??
Hydrolic or Solid? I have no problem with solids, ran a GM 178 LT-1 cam in my 74 SB with very good results
Would the 292H Crane fit the bill or should I take my time & get exactly what I need??
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
That cam will give the lope you want, 454 is a good size motor
and will handel the duration, I had a 310/320 duration 560/580
lift solid crower in a 454 with rectanlge port heads, trypower
off a 69 435 HP, hooker headers, M21, 3.36 rear, needless to
say the car would run on the top end for the time. 454S have bucket
loads of torque to play with and I never felt like I needed more bottom
torque. I was hunting air cooled german cars in 1973 not drag
racing LOL. I like solids but most people don't want to adjust valves anymore.
and will handel the duration, I had a 310/320 duration 560/580
lift solid crower in a 454 with rectanlge port heads, trypower
off a 69 435 HP, hooker headers, M21, 3.36 rear, needless to
say the car would run on the top end for the time. 454S have bucket
loads of torque to play with and I never felt like I needed more bottom
torque. I was hunting air cooled german cars in 1973 not drag
racing LOL. I like solids but most people don't want to adjust valves anymore.
Last edited by Little Mouse; May 23, 2006 at 02:49 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
How much lift does the 292H crane have??? Im thinking that
cam is a little old tech and will not have so much lift like
the more modern stuff. The oval port, open chamber, flat top
piston 8.25 comp. big blocks will handle a lot more lift then the
factory used in the pickup truck motor. Was the Mid 80s truck
motor before the peanut junk oval head ???
cam is a little old tech and will not have so much lift like
the more modern stuff. The oval port, open chamber, flat top
piston 8.25 comp. big blocks will handle a lot more lift then the
factory used in the pickup truck motor. Was the Mid 80s truck
motor before the peanut junk oval head ???
Last edited by Little Mouse; May 23, 2006 at 08:34 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
Originally Posted by pauvil
depending on the heads you probably have to fly cut the pistons to get that baby to clear, but it will make a ton of power.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 575
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From: Nice Lake Ontario
Thanks for the replys 
I'm using the 69-70 3964290 heads, which are 69-70 390-400hp Oval port heads, with closed 109cc chambers.
I hoping to end up with 9.5 or 10 to 1 compression. Does that sound reasonable??
Regarding the 292-H Crane cam, I can find no specs at Cranes website for it? I assume it's an aggressive hydrolic but ??
I'm using the 69-70 3964290 heads, which are 69-70 390-400hp Oval port heads, with closed 109cc chambers.
I hoping to end up with 9.5 or 10 to 1 compression. Does that sound reasonable??
Regarding the 292-H Crane cam, I can find no specs at Cranes website for it? I assume it's an aggressive hydrolic but ??
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Originally Posted by sxr6
Regarding the 292-H Crane cam, I can find no specs at Cranes website for it?
very similar to crane P/N 10307 ...specs ... http://cranecams.com/?show=browsePar...07&lvl=2&prt=5
Last edited by jackson; May 24, 2006 at 10:27 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
Originally Posted by jackson
292H specs here http://cranecams.com/?show=browsePar...80&lvl=2&prt=5
Engine Size
396-454 C.I.
Edit
Read too may post and thought this one a small block. The cam above will work in a BB. Sorry for the confusion.
Last edited by mandm1200; May 24, 2006 at 12:21 PM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
chevy used to claim 10.1 with closed chamber 101cc ftat top
piston. 8.25 with 119cc open chamber and flat top. That cam
should work very well with the extra comp, the pickup cam
would fall on its face at 4000 that cam has better lift then the
old 435hp solid cam, cant see how they are getting the 292
with a 226 O50. Call crane if you have not bought the cam and
see what they say about the 4800 upper range if thats all it will
do in a 454 find a different cam, I have had no problems with
crane cams but thats been a long time ago.
piston. 8.25 with 119cc open chamber and flat top. That cam
should work very well with the extra comp, the pickup cam
would fall on its face at 4000 that cam has better lift then the
old 435hp solid cam, cant see how they are getting the 292
with a 226 O50. Call crane if you have not bought the cam and
see what they say about the 4800 upper range if thats all it will
do in a 454 find a different cam, I have had no problems with
crane cams but thats been a long time ago.
Last edited by Little Mouse; May 24, 2006 at 11:40 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Originally Posted by Little Mouse
cant see how they are getting the 292
with a 226 O50.
with a 226 O50.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Originally Posted by sxr6
I'm using the 69-70 3964290 heads, which are 69-70 390-400hp Oval port heads, with closed 109cc chambers.
I hoping to end up with 9.5 or 10 to 1 compression. Does that sound reasonable??
I hoping to end up with 9.5 or 10 to 1 compression. Does that sound reasonable??
If 101cc and typical flattop ... static CR will be close to 8.9:1. ... w/flat & 109cc closer to 8.4:1 ... you really need to verify what pistons you have: not likely domed ... are they flat, dished or chamfered ... that's right, chamfered around top at edge?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 575
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From: Nice Lake Ontario
First sorry for the confusion my specs also show 101cc chambers on those heads, why I hit 9 is a mistery 
Was hopin for 10-1 comp but I'll be happy if I end up in the 9-1 range gotta wonder what stock rating was with 122cc chambers??
If those specs ---http://cranecams.com/?show=browseParts&action=partSpec&partNu mber=WG1080&lvl=2&prt=5
for the 292-H are correct I will pass on the cam. I like the looks of the 282-H much better! I will call Crane when I got to order a cam but recommendations from those with experience is appreciated
Piston will probably be the flat-top out of a 86 motor, but till I pull the pan & heads??
Might I ask Jackson what is the significance of having either of these pistons? " you really need to verify what pistons you have: not likely domed ... are they flat, dished or chamfered ... that's right, chamfered around top at edge?"
"I dunno what his deal$ is? ... but I think summit's is around $80-$90."
Same piece up here is $200.+
Was hopin for 10-1 comp but I'll be happy if I end up in the 9-1 range gotta wonder what stock rating was with 122cc chambers??
If those specs ---http://cranecams.com/?show=browseParts&action=partSpec&partNu mber=WG1080&lvl=2&prt=5
for the 292-H are correct I will pass on the cam. I like the looks of the 282-H much better! I will call Crane when I got to order a cam but recommendations from those with experience is appreciated
Piston will probably be the flat-top out of a 86 motor, but till I pull the pan & heads??
Might I ask Jackson what is the significance of having either of these pistons? " you really need to verify what pistons you have: not likely domed ... are they flat, dished or chamfered ... that's right, chamfered around top at edge?"
"I dunno what his deal$ is? ... but I think summit's is around $80-$90."
Same piece up here is $200.+
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Originally Posted by sxr6
Might I ask Jackson what is the significance of having either of these pistons? " you really need to verify what pistons you have: not likely domed ... are they flat, dished or chamfered ... that's right, chamfered around top at edge?"
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 209
Likes: 8
From: Hollywood FL
I think you may give up a little bottom end power with the 292H. I had a combination very similar to what you're talking about with the Comp 282S. It ran 11.50's in a 3200 lb. car and was a lot of fun on the street. Also, I think with that cam you are less likely to have piston/valve clearance problems. 
Racer
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Albuquerque NM
Hmmmm, Well you know we all have budgets....and have to ask what is the end we heading for?
I have used the Comp CAMS 292H Magnum before...kinda dead in the lower RPM Range for the BBC...bad vacuum the head lights would open at idle, The solid LS6 cam was much better,,,better Vacuum. The 292 did work well with the 800-850 CFM carbs. (both oval and rectangular heads) It did fall short in the upper rpm range 6200+ with rectangular heads, it had better mid range response with ovals. Headers helped tons with ovals. I hope this helps. A split pattern solid cam with more on the duration on exhaust side will be best choice for the BBC unless you go with a solid roller in split pattern. Dual Pattern Cams just dont deliver in the upper RPM Range For the BBC.
Larry
I have used the Comp CAMS 292H Magnum before...kinda dead in the lower RPM Range for the BBC...bad vacuum the head lights would open at idle, The solid LS6 cam was much better,,,better Vacuum. The 292 did work well with the 800-850 CFM carbs. (both oval and rectangular heads) It did fall short in the upper rpm range 6200+ with rectangular heads, it had better mid range response with ovals. Headers helped tons with ovals. I hope this helps. A split pattern solid cam with more on the duration on exhaust side will be best choice for the BBC unless you go with a solid roller in split pattern. Dual Pattern Cams just dont deliver in the upper RPM Range For the BBC.
Larry