Stupid cam questions
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 1
From: Mt Juliet TN
Stupid cam questions
I'm looking at some cams from Crane one the tech guy selected is the H-288 and it says this 3000-3400 CRUISE RPM, BASIC RPM 3000-6000
and the H-278 I like says this 3000-3400 CRUISE RPM,BASIC RPM 2500-5500. Now I have an overdrive tranny and I cruise at 2200 rpm. Will that be a problem? And my second question is about the rpm range. My current cam has a 2000 - 5000 range and I take it to 5500 and above with my 3.7 rear gears. So my question is if I want a cam that will take me to 6000 rpm should I get the bigger one or will the smaller one do and that is just a suggested RPM range?
and the H-278 I like says this 3000-3400 CRUISE RPM,BASIC RPM 2500-5500. Now I have an overdrive tranny and I cruise at 2200 rpm. Will that be a problem? And my second question is about the rpm range. My current cam has a 2000 - 5000 range and I take it to 5500 and above with my 3.7 rear gears. So my question is if I want a cam that will take me to 6000 rpm should I get the bigger one or will the smaller one do and that is just a suggested RPM range?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
Re: Stupid cam questions (TTop Tony)
The rPM ranges the cam companies quote are completely arbitrary and IMO mean nothing. It will give you an idea of where the torque peak occurs, maybe, but that's it.
The peak power rpm depends on many factors, not only the cam. The heads, headers, intake all have a big impact on peak power rpm. Engine size as well... I used to have a 96 LT1 that I ported the heads on. With the stock, small, cam the power peak was 5700 rpm. The 454 in my vette has a much bigger cam but peaks at 5300 rpm.
Post the duration @050, you engine specs, tranny and intended usage and we can give you an idea which cam you want.
The peak power rpm depends on many factors, not only the cam. The heads, headers, intake all have a big impact on peak power rpm. Engine size as well... I used to have a 96 LT1 that I ported the heads on. With the stock, small, cam the power peak was 5700 rpm. The 454 in my vette has a much bigger cam but peaks at 5300 rpm.
Post the duration @050, you engine specs, tranny and intended usage and we can give you an idea which cam you want.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 1
From: Mt Juliet TN
Re: Stupid cam questions (zwede)
the H-278 is
278/290 adv duration 222/234 dur @50,467/494 lift with 114 lobe seperation
The H-288 is
288/296 adv duration 226/234 dur @50,458/473 lift with 114 lobe seperation
I have a tremec 5 speed with 3.7 rear gears. Dual exhaust with two cats. Its not a daily driver but i do want to keep it streetable. It has to pass a sniffer test and these are both street legal cams. i need more power up high. My cam is good for low end torque but with my 3.7 gears i spend a lot of time in the higher rpm band. Right now my best 1/4 mile is 14.8. My goal is to hit 13's with a cam, zz4 intake and some edelbrock alum heads.
278/290 adv duration 222/234 dur @50,467/494 lift with 114 lobe seperation
The H-288 is
288/296 adv duration 226/234 dur @50,458/473 lift with 114 lobe seperation
I have a tremec 5 speed with 3.7 rear gears. Dual exhaust with two cats. Its not a daily driver but i do want to keep it streetable. It has to pass a sniffer test and these are both street legal cams. i need more power up high. My cam is good for low end torque but with my 3.7 gears i spend a lot of time in the higher rpm band. Right now my best 1/4 mile is 14.8. My goal is to hit 13's with a cam, zz4 intake and some edelbrock alum heads.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 1
From: Mt Juliet TN
Re: Stupid cam questions (zwede)
"I used to have a 96 LT1 that I ported the heads on. With the stock, small, cam the power peak was 5700 rpm. The 454 in my vette has a much bigger cam but peaks at 5300 rpm"
OK Zwede now I am really confused. the small cam peaks at 5700 and the large one at 5300? Is that because its a big block VS a small block?
OK Zwede now I am really confused. the small cam peaks at 5700 and the large one at 5300? Is that because its a big block VS a small block?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
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From: Forked River NJ
Re: Stupid cam questions (TTop Tony)
My cam in my 350 has a duration of 248 at .050. It does not have much power below 2000 rpm. It really comes on at 3500 and will pull to 7000 rpm. When cruising in 5th with 3.70 gears if I go below 50 mph the car is a dog and starts to buck and jerk around. I don't think either of the two cams you mention will have any problem running the Tremec with 3.70 gears.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,770
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From: St Louis MO
Re: Stupid cam questions (TTop Tony)
"I used to have a 96 LT1 that I ported the heads on. With the stock, small, cam the power peak was 5700 rpm. The 454 in my vette has a much bigger cam but peaks at 5300 rpm"
OK Zwede now I am really confused. the small cam peaks at 5700 and the large one at 5300? Is that because its a big block VS a small block?
OK Zwede now I am really confused. the small cam peaks at 5700 and the large one at 5300? Is that because its a big block VS a small block?
Brett :thumbs:
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
Re: Stupid cam questions (TTop Tony)
Yes, a long stroke (like the 454) moves the torque and power peak down in the rpm range.
Also, the reason the LT1 reved so good was the excellent LT1 heads, further improved by porting. What I was tryingto say is that good flowing heads will rev even with a small cam. The LT1 cam was VERY small. If memory serves around 207 degrees @050!!! :eek:
Either of the two cams you listed will work fine on the street. I'd expect you'll see your power peak around 5500 rpm, maybe a little higher with good intake + heads. You should still have good power at 6k.
The 288 has slower lobes than the 278. It will idle a little rougher with about the same power. Slower lobes are gentler on the valvetrain, though. Your choice....
Also, the reason the LT1 reved so good was the excellent LT1 heads, further improved by porting. What I was tryingto say is that good flowing heads will rev even with a small cam. The LT1 cam was VERY small. If memory serves around 207 degrees @050!!! :eek:
Either of the two cams you listed will work fine on the street. I'd expect you'll see your power peak around 5500 rpm, maybe a little higher with good intake + heads. You should still have good power at 6k.
The 288 has slower lobes than the 278. It will idle a little rougher with about the same power. Slower lobes are gentler on the valvetrain, though. Your choice....
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
Re: Stupid cam questions (zwede)
Either cam will cruise @ 2000 rpm. You'll want to spend some time getting the fuel mixture perfect and play with the timing advance so that it runs smooth in 5th.
Carefull tuning will make it response below 2000 rpm, but it is tricky without EFI. The 224/232 cam in my 454 pulls from 800 rpm, but I don't think I would have made that happen without EFI.
Carefull tuning will make it response below 2000 rpm, but it is tricky without EFI. The 224/232 cam in my 454 pulls from 800 rpm, but I don't think I would have made that happen without EFI.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,476
Likes: 1
From: Mt Juliet TN
Re: Stupid cam questions (zwede)
Thanks zwede good info here. I'll bookmark this post for later. I think edelbrock performer heads flow pretty good but I don't hear much about them anymore. all the magazines talk about are the vortec heads.
No EFI in my future. I think this is the last big $$ item on my Vette ( I know famous last words)
[Modified by TTop Tony, 10:18 AM 4/30/2004]
No EFI in my future. I think this is the last big $$ item on my Vette ( I know famous last words)
[Modified by TTop Tony, 10:18 AM 4/30/2004]
