Trying to Learn engine internals. It's a crane CompuCam 104227 210/224 @ 50%, advertised duration 272/286. What will this numbers do for me as far as power goes and what does it mean? Also, how big or little is it? It's in a 94 lt1 A4 355. I can list any other mods if it helps answer the question. Thanks for the help.

 

that is a VERY small cam. u wouldnt even notice that it was in there. it isnt much bigger than stock. it all depends on what u plan on doing though. do u have head work done? what HP are u wanting. i think that the comp cams "305" cam or a crane 222/230 are both very good mild cams. comp cams "306" and crane 230/236 are more drastic cams. hope this helps.

 

If you are planning on making decent power, you will want a larger cam. You can go larger, and still retain great drivabililty, just takes a good tune. That cam is good for a stock motor, thats about it. Hope this helps..

 

With that cam and stockheads i made 331 rwhp and have run 11.42 116.56 don't believe everything you hear about "baby cams" not doing well. I have street car "not a stock eliminater car" and make good power. I've never been beaten by a 306, or comp xe grind with stockheads na. Frank95z

 

Thanks for the replys. Yes, I have head work done. Feed by Moroso CAI, BBK 52mm TB, supposedly port patched intake to heads??, 3 way P&P, new seats, retainers, dual Crane race springs,etc. 2.02/1.60, Crane Gold rockers, speed pro push rods, heavy duty timing chain, etc.. Going out Edel. 1 5/8 TES (bought them before I knew about long tubes) off road pipe. A little bottom work done as well (flat top pistons, rods, chamfered(?) crank, high pressure oil pump). The car lopes a lot nicer than it used to, I thought I had a decent sized cam? Oh well, what do the the actual numbers mean though?

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the cam in question has a FAT torque curve due to the 14* split in duration, plus the much higher exhaust lift as opposed to the intake lift.

Seems that LT1's LOVE a good deal more exhaust lift/duration on stock heads. Question is how well would this theory hold up on ported heads.

 

I ran that cam for several years. I made 348rwhp and 348rwtq SAE corrected. The guy above that compares this cam to a stock one obviously has no experience with this cam. It is an excellent street/performance cam as Frank mentions above.

 

That "baby" cam is not too bad. I've had it as well. With heads and cam, I made 335rwhp. There's also another cam a step higher than it, 214-224 by either Crane or GM 845 I think it is, and it's also a great cam. Great running cam.

 

I tell ya what. Like has already been said, that cam is awesome.
It's one of the most popular cams for the ImpalaSS crowd.

It's actually running in the 2nd quickest and fastest impala SS with a 350 LT1.
The toruqe curve is so broad and fat. With a good set of heads it never runs out of steam.

If you are getting that cam for free, I'd go for it.

If you want the fastest fbody, I'd go solid roller or some other cam besides the Crane "227".

Karl Ellwein

 

That "baby cam" duration is 210/224. That's why it's called a 210/224. It has a lift w/1.6s of 511/552 on 112 degrees.

I've seen over 365 RWHP with it. I run it, however
I don't know what MY car would dyno.

Yes, there are bigger cams that will provide more power at higher RPMs and maintain drivability, but I prefer a very mild mannered daily driver that can pull stumps (this cam is designed for a heavier car than the F-Body).

The bigger is always better crowd can pooh pooh this cam all they want, but it, as well as other cams with similar profiles can often hold their own when paired with good heads, tuninng and exhaust (even if they don't lope like a nascar at the stop light).jmho

 

I tend to think Crane Cams are overlooked because they don't have as big of a selection of cams off the shelf as CC does. The cam you have would be a great cam with stock heads and no headers. IMO once you modify the heads and add headers a N/A setup will not need as much additional exhaust duration over intake duration to scavange properly thus a different cam would be in order. If you are planning on a Supercharger or a lot of Nitrous then the additional exhaust duration is still necessary.

 

Bubba, Well said! Bigger is not always better.

 

That was great, thank you guys. I'm planning on taking the Edel. TES 1 5/8's off, for Hooker LT's. How will this cam work for me then? About the torque, I have what seems to me quite a "BIT" of torque, but high ends feels like it could be faster. That's why I want Hooker LT's. Will this in the long run work against me? Thanks again.

 

The LT's will help you some on the top end. Sounds like a good plan to me.

 

Before Carl97SS went with a 396, he had CnC heads, 210/224 and Hooker Lts. Dyno tune put his 97SS at around 368 RWHP.

Cam good for low and mid-range with some top and the LTs helped up top to provide the best of both worlds for a daily driven sleeper.jmho