So for my birthday I received a $40 kragen gift card. I was looking around the site and I was debating buying a cam from Crane Cams

the problem is, I have no idea what to look for in a cam.

my II has a '92 302 with an edelbrock intake, 4bbl carb ad pretty free flowing exhaust save for the stock manfolds.

What kids of cam should I be getting? I really don't know what all the numbers translate into.

Here are the available cams in the $200 range

363902 Powermax Hydraulic Camshaft/Lifter Kit: RPM 1200-4800; Adv. Dur. 260 Int./272 Exh.; Valve Lift .456 Int./.484 Exh.; Lobe 112 Deg.; Includes Cam; Lifter; Shim Kit; Adjusting Nuts; Emission Code 1 Green; 50 State Legal

363932 Powermax Hydraulic Camshaft/Lifter Kit: RPM 1400-5200; Adv. Dur. 266 Int./274 Exh.; Valve Lift .456 Int./.472 Exh.; Lobe 114 Deg.; Includes Cam; Lifter; Shim Kit; Adjusting Nuts; Emission Code 3 Amber; Not Legal For Sale Or Use On Streets Or Highways

363942 Powermax Hydraulic Camshaft/Lifter Kit: RPM 1800-5400; Adv. Dur. 272 Int./284 Exh.; Valve Lift .484 Int./.512 Exh.; Lobe 112 Deg.; Includes Cam; Lifter; Shim Kit; Adjusting Nuts; Emission Code 1 Green; 50 State Legal

364802 Powermax Hydraulic Camshaft/Lifter Kit: RPM 2000-5000; Adv. Dur. 290 Int./Exh.; Valve Lift .484 Int./Exh.; Lobe 110 Deg; Includes Cam; Lifter; Rocker Arm Shim Kit; Emission Code 3 Amber; Not Legal For Sale Or Use On Streets Or Highways

Could someone with more experience with these engines tell me what's the best of the bunch?

 

Arin, I like you am not real versed in cam technology but I have used the Ford Racing B cam and had really good results plus it sounds good at idle. The E cam offers a little more lift. Their F cam I believe is for supercharged cars and their X cam is their racing cam. Probably doesn't help you much. From the ones you have listed I would probably go with your last choice. Had a mechanic friend of mine tell me several years ago that the small block Ford likes duration around 290.

 

If they say not legal or street or highway use, you know its gotta be good!



Wish i knew more about cams to help. hope someone answers so i learn somthing.

 

What edelbrock intake do you have? Is it the performer, performer rpm, torker or other? Also is the stock cam a roller cam.Edelbrock has some really good matched cams for your intake. I have had a ton of both performer which is basically stock or a bit more and the rpm which on an engine set up right really works well. My lifted chevy truck had a performer rpm cam , intake and springs with tons of porting done to the heads and 489 cubes and 8.8 compression and was a really great power house for street. That was when it was stock hieght.

With the rpm range listed , I would try to pick one in the rpm range you drive in if you have a tach.Usually something like 1500-6000 is slightly hotter and still driveable. idle to 5000 rpm is more daily driver with good low end torque. If you have a roller cam go with one of fords roller cams but I am betting it isnt in 92.

 

The answer to that question hinges on ( 1 ) what type trans is , stick or automatic , if auto, what stall-speed is the torque converter, ( 2 ) what rear gear you have ( 3.08 - 3.27 - 3.55 - etc ) , ( 3 ) what power-adders you plan to add down the road .

 

The trans is a C4, and as far as I know its bone stock. It does chirp the tires into second if you're gunning it, but I don't know if thats how a stock C4 shifts or not... I don't know what stall speed the converter is either

My rear gear I'm pretty sure is a 3.00

There is a mild chance for a supercharger down the road. I have one that I don't know the history or background of that was used on a 2.9L ranger/bronco II. There is a chance I might try and sell that on ebay over the summer though.

As for my intake I'm pretty sure its a performer 289. And yes, it has the stock roller cam from 1992.

And Chris, I was right there with you in that train of thought last night before I decided to post this thread