1. Crane Cam 208/216 .530/.530 lift 113lsa
2. Crane Cam 208/216 .500/.500 lift 113lsa
3. Comp Cam 212/218 .522/.529 lift 114lsa
4. Comp Cam 206/212 .561/.578 lift 112lsa

Which is the all-around cam (low,mid,& top end power)? I know there is a 40-50rwhp gain with the 212/218 Comp Cam. I was just wondering if the other cams would be close to it? Especially the crane cam with .530/.530 lift.


If a cam has more lift than another does the power range move up the rpm range? In other words, would you lose low-end power with a higher lift cam and gain top-end?

Thanks in advance

Richard

 

I`m no expert on cams but as I understand it exhaust duration has more to do with what rpm range your power will occur.Intake duration is more a function of your cylinder head flow characteristics to match the exhaust duration.Lift enhances power at all rpms but is limited by the cams profile,valve to piston clearance and the durability of the valve springs.Also every cam manufacturer figures their numbers a little bit differintly from each other.Meaning you can compare grinds made by one manufacturer by the numbers but not one manufacturer to another.Generally,you ask the manufacturer what rpm range their cam works best or rely on the experience of others.

 

Lift is necessary to get the air into the cylinder. Lift by itself won't change the rpm the cam operates at. Lift is determined by the lobe profile. If it is an aggressive lobe, you can get more lift in the same amount of duration. If it is a lazy lobe, it will begin to open earlier (increasing overlap) to achieve the same amount of lift.

Most cams are referred to by their @.050 ift duration numbers. The 4 cams listed at the top are duration @ .050 lift. Just because those cams look similar means nothing. Each of them could have a different lobe grind and have drastically different operating attributes. You will need to compare duration at several different lift levels to get a more accurate comparison. Look at the two different types of lobes here:


<img src="http://www.compcams.com/Base/Images/Technical/HYDPROF.gif" alt=" - " /> <img src="http://www.compcams.com/Base/Images/Technical/ROLLERPR.gif" alt=" - " />

The second lobe has an agressive lobe that gets to high lift quicker than the other. This lobe will increase power without adding additional overlap. With a lobe like the first one, to get bigger lift, you have to increase the duration, and move the power up the band. As Whitt1 said, with an aggressive lobe, you will need good valve springs to handle the cam.

 

Would the Crane Cam with .500/.500 lift have good top end power, like the 212/218?

 

I dont thing you will see as big of gains with the crane as you would with the comp.

 

You'll probably want to get a good set of headers to really see the full potential of an aggressive cam.

 

What is the best cam for street-racing, like from a 50mph roll that still has good bottom end?

 

how would that 208 216 530 530 lift work in a truck with a stock tq conv?

 

I figured that cam would have good top-end, it's almost like the Zo6 cam except a tighter lsa. Isn't it?

 

being a truck iwould stick with the comp. rather than a straight cam as the crane just a opinion