[BAD2000TA]

Here's what I got: 1980 Trans Am SE with a 455. YC block, #96 unported heads. I've had the Wolverine WG-5059 cam (234/244, .480/.510 on 112 LSA) in since 2000, but recently discovered that #1 intake lobe is wiped out. Loved that cam, great torque, excellent driving manners, great lope. But, I need a new cam. More info: turbo 350, stock stall converter and *currently, 2.41 gears. However, I have a 3.42 rear from a '79 Z-28 that I'm going to install. That being said, the Wolverine cam ran great with those gears.

Wish list is Old Faithful and E-Heads. but too expensive at the moment.

Considering the following cams:

1. Crower #60919 - 231/240, .470/.470 112. Concern: Going to a smaller cam compared to the Wolverine. Will it make a difference?

2. Crane #284281: 234/242, .473/.488 112. Very similar, but less exhaust lift and duration. Concern?

3. Just get the Old Faithful (236/245, .578/.582 112). Will the #96 heads choke this cam, or will it run similar to the Wolverine cam?

4. Other suggestions?

Thank you!

[Will]

Old Faithful is a roller cam. Not sure if there are stock height springs that would work with that cam.

Of the two other cams, my feeling is the Crower would be the best bet. It's only a couple degrees smaller and honestly, with your compression and gearing I think it would be better to go a little smaller.

[steve25]

Are cast Rods still in the motor?

[Cliff R]

Either one of the flat hydraulic cams you mentioned would work fine. In actually use the are very close and make about the same numbers on the dyno, and similar idle quality/street manners, etc.

The OF is a bit too much cam for what you are doing, if going HR I'd look at a smaller cam like the 230/236/112 that they offer.

You could also pretty much duplicate the 5059 with a custom grind. Most companies have their lobe profile catalogs available on line and you can go in and pick the lobes, lobe positions and have them grind one for you. They will show a little less seat timing than the original 5059 cam as it was rated slightly different. Bullet or Lunati would be the first place I'd look, just don't let them choose the lobe positions, especially Bullet as they will try to yank it down on a 108LSA which will not work nearly as well with your combination as keeping it out on a 112LSA.......Cliff

[ponyakr]

The 041 clone is a proven performer, in 455's. Since you liked the cam that was slightly bigger, an 041 clone might be good. The Melling SPC-8 is cheaper than the Crower 60919. I used several of the Mellings, with Rhoads lifters, in my bracket 455's.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Engine-Cams...item1ed4274ceb

Some say that with lower than 9.5 CR, you need a cam with less adv duration. There are many different opinions about 455 cam selection. So, I'll leave the rest of the choices to others.

[tom s]

The Stump Puller cam works well with stock heads on a 455.Tom

[BAD2000TA]

Originally Posted by tom s

The Stump Puller cam works well with stock heads on a 455.Tom

Tom, I considered that, too, but the lift scared me away. 0.590" lift would require new springs, which if I'm going to do, I'll wait for the funds and get the E-Heads from SD. Thanks for the input.

[BAD2000TA]

Originally Posted by steve25

Are cast Rods still in the motor?

Yes, but with ARP rod bolts.

[1968GTO421]

My concern would be grit in your engine from the wiped lobe. Not only bad for bearings, but also bad for the new cam. IMHO

[BAD2000TA]

Originally Posted by 1968GTO421

My concern would be grit in your engine from the wiped lobe. Not only bad for bearings, but also bad for the new cam. IMHO

That's far too logical for what I WANT to do versus NEED to do!

In all honesty, you're right and I'll have to evaluate pulling the motor for a thorough build/cleaning.

[400 Lemans]

https://www.storecore.top/crane-cams...1-p-13098.html Dont know anything about this company but you cant beat that price.

[NeighborsComplaint]

I put the 284281 in both my 455 builds. Nice cam, good manners and choppy idle.

[400 Lemans]

https://www.storecore.top/melling-ms...8-p-11803.html

[ponyakr]

That must be a bogus site. No way anybody could make a profit on a Melling SPC-8 cam at that price.

[Stan Weiss]

Originally Posted by BAD2000TA

Here's what I got: 1980 Trans Am SE with a 455. YC block, #96 unported heads. I've had the Wolverine WG-5059 cam (234/244, .480/.510 on 112 LSA) in since 2000, but recently discovered that #1 intake lobe is wiped out. Loved that cam, great torque, excellent driving manners, great lope. But, I need a new cam. More info: turbo 350, stock stall converter and *currently, 2.41 gears. However, I have a 3.42 rear from a '79 Z-28 that I'm going to install. That being said, the Wolverine cam ran great with those gears.

Wish list is Old Faithful and E-Heads. but too expensive at the moment.

Considering the following cams:

1. Crower #60919 - 231/240, .470/.470 112. Concern: Going to a smaller cam compared to the Wolverine. Will it make a difference?

2. Crane #284281: 234/242, .473/.488 112. Very similar, but less exhaust lift and duration. Concern?

3. Just get the Old Faithful (236/245, .578/.582 112). Will the #96 heads choke this cam, or will it run similar to the Wolverine cam?

4. Other suggestions?

Thank you!

If you want another one maybe call Bullet.

Stan

http://www.pontiacstreetperformance....455jh2006.html

Camshaft - Wolverine WG 5059 duplicated by Bullet Racing; 234/244, I/E @ .050"; 284/298 advertised duration; .558" lift on intake,.561" lift exhaust w/ 1.65 ratio rockers; 112 LSA; cam installed @ 107 degrees intake centerline

[BAD2000TA]

Originally Posted by Stan Weiss

If you want another one maybe call Bullet.

Stan

http://www.pontiacstreetperformance....455jh2006.html

Camshaft - Wolverine WG 5059 duplicated by Bullet Racing; 234/244, I/E @ .050"; 284/298 advertised duration; .558" lift on intake,.561" lift exhaust w/ 1.65 ratio rockers; 112 LSA; cam installed @ 107 degrees intake centerline

Thanks!! That's a tempting offer there!

[TedRamAirII]

Originally Posted by ponyakr

That must be a bogus site. No way anybody could make a profit on a Melling SPC-8 cam at that price.

So is there any "real" difference in the Crane 284281 or the SPC-8? That looks like a great price! I just may try it.

[NeighborsComplaint]

Honestly, if no one told you, you wouldn't know which cam was which when installed.

The first 284281 I installed was the older HIT 284281. On a subsequent rebuild, I opted to go with a brand new cam (even though the old one was perfect) and went with the "same" cam, noting the difference in lift. The old Crane HIT 284281 (Hi Intensity) had identical timing events as the revised Crane 284281 but had slightly higher lift with .488"/.505" vs the revised version w. .473"/.488" Lift. I called Crane and was told the ramps were redesigned to better take advantage of the superior low lift flow characteristics of the later model low compression heads. The 041 grind was optimized for earlier heads but either cam was a good choice for a 455.

As a rule of thumb, for the same advertised duration, the cam with the longer duration at 0.050" lift would have a faster ramp, opening the intake valve faster and closing the exhaust faster with more "area under the curve" as Comp used to say.

Comparing the HIT 284 and the SPC-8 (041 copy), the HIT 284281 has 234/242 duration @ 0.050" lift and 296/304 advertised duration and the 041 has 231/240@.050" duration and 304/315 advertised duration. This would indicate the Crane has a more aggressive lobe profile than the 041..

In the real world in a street driven car, any of the cams you are considering will work fine in a 455.

[Steve C.]

"As a rule of thumb, for the same advertised duration, the cam with the longer duration at 0.050" lift would have a faster ramp..."

One potential issue is if the cams being compared are not rated at the same tappet lift for the seat ( advertised ) duration. Example, one might be rated at .004" tappet lift another at .006" tappet lift.

http://www.4secondsflat.com/Cam_Design.html

.

[Stan Weiss]

I would call adv duration to 0.050" the ramp and look @ 0.050" and 0.200" for the lobe.

What I have for the 041 intake which came very close to what someone on here who Cam Dr one as 140 @ 0.200"

If I have the right Crane Lobe CCH2
-------------Adv---Adv---Dur--Int--Exh--Lift
-------------Dur---Lift---.200--Lift TDC--1.50
H-234/315 296 .0040" 142 .091" .058" .473"
H-242/325 304 .0040" 150 .104" .070" .488"

Stan