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Camshaft Upgrade Recommendation

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Cwelch, Sep 14, 2021.

  1. Sep 14, 2021
    Cwelch

    Cwelch New Member

    Charleston, SC
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    Jul 30, 2021
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    Hey guys,

    I recently purchased a 258 to replace the 232 in my 73 cj5. I’m going through the motor before I install it and think I am going to run an upgraded camshaft to get a little bit more throttle response and torque out of it in case I need to get out of someone’s way. This will be a weekend cruiser so not much off-road use. I have been looking between the Comp Cam, Crower and Lunati cams, recommendations on brand and cam if anyone has knowledge or experience would be greatly appreciated. Ive tried to call the companies to get their recommendations but they have stupid long hold lines. I got ahold of Comp Cams and told them I was running EFI and they recommended a cam that stated on their website “not for use with EFI” so I’ve got a sore taste in my mouth with them. Thanks for any advice.

    Here are the engine upgrades

    1980 258
    Clifford intake manifold
    Unknown brand of true dual headers
    Holley Sniper EFI
     
  2. Sep 14, 2021
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    I would get all suggestions in email rather than over the phone. You don't have to wait on hold and you have something in record.

    Aside from that on my 4.3 I do not believe I have a efi cam and the efi system was quoted with that cam card for the tune.
    The efi will mostly need a vacuum signal

    For what it is worth (completely different motor) I am running 269 intake 284 exhaust sae duration and 202 intake 213 exhaust @.050 lift and .410 lift at the valve. My efi is based on the factory 1990 gm system but simplified without the emissions and it does good when lugging waaay down low.
     
  3. Sep 14, 2021
    Cwelch

    Cwelch New Member

    Charleston, SC
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    I spoke with Holley today just trying to get a spec range to keep the cam in and the only 2 things they recommended were to keep the lobe separation at 111 or greater for vacuum purposes and to try to keep the low RPM range around 1000 or less to keep from having to do a in depth tune to keep it for searching for idle.
     
  4. Sep 14, 2021
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    Yep you have a bit of flexibility with an aftermarket system. Here is the full spec for mine. I'm happy with it, but remember I've got a 4.3 chevy v6 so your motor might respond better to other cams. I just want to ease your nerves as to the amount of cam even my simple tbi can handle. Youtube is a good resource if you want to hear the 258 with a cam you are looking at and seeing what the sniper handles. [​IMG]20160116_163903 by Joe with a jeep, on Flickr
     
    Last edited: Sep 14, 2021
  5. Sep 15, 2021
    Cwelch

    Cwelch New Member

    Charleston, SC
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    Can I get your thoughts on the specs of this cam. It is a crower

    AMC - 199, 232, 234 (4.0L) & 258 (4.2L)
    Performance level 2 - Pro-Street - Delivers versatile height torque,low end and mid-range power.
    INT/EXH - Dur @ .050” Lift: 210°/218° RR:1.6/1.6 Gross Lift: .448”/.453” LSA: 112° RPM:1500 to 4000 Redline: 5500
     
  6. Sep 15, 2021
    A74CJ5guy

    A74CJ5guy New Member

    Springfield, VT
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    Jul 21, 2018
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    Voodoo Hydraulic Flat Tappet Cam & Lifter Kit - AMC 6 Cylinder 199-258 250/256
    Expect low to mid torque gains. Excellent for both RV type vehicles or towing applications. Smooth idle!; Advertised Duration (Int/Exh): 250/256; Duration @ .050 (Int/Exh): 208/213; Gross Valve Lift (Int/Exh): .484/.484; LSA/ICL: 112/108; Valve Lash (Int/Exh): Hyd/Hyd; RPM Range: 1000-5200; Includes: Cam & Lifters (#71077PR-16)
     
  7. Sep 15, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    There is an article on jeepstrokers.com about understanding camshaft numbers, and making an informed choice of a camshaft.
    How to pick a Cam FAQ - Jeep Strokers

    I'd make a table and compare the factory grind for a 258, factory grind for a Renix 4.0L, and your aftermarket choices. Include prices. Realize tha you must use all-new lifters (aka tappets or followers) on a new cam. I don't see much advantage to specialty parts there for a street engine - Melling and Sealed Power are good brands. That, plus the explanation at the link will give you an idea of what you are buying. Great that others can offer their experience, but that's only a single instance. I'd want to understand the tradeoffs and compare their results to what I expected.

    A 4.0L is a 242, BTW. Correcting the listing above. One liter is 61 cid, almost exactly. The liter numbers are more aproximate than the cubic inch numbers.
     
    Last edited: Sep 15, 2021
    Jw60 likes this.
  8. Sep 15, 2021
    Cwelch

    Cwelch New Member

    Charleston, SC
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    Do you have experience with this cam?
     
  9. Sep 15, 2021
    Cwelch

    Cwelch New Member

    Charleston, SC
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    Thank you. I will read up on this article as I am extremely green on cams. I’m sure it will help
     
  10. Sep 15, 2021
    A74CJ5guy

    A74CJ5guy New Member

    Springfield, VT
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    Only second-hand, My buddy installed this in his CJ5 and has been very pleased with it.
     
  11. Sep 15, 2021
    Cwelch

    Cwelch New Member

    Charleston, SC
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    Does he run an EFI system?
     
  12. Sep 15, 2021
    Rich M.

    Rich M. Shoe salesman 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I'm not a Comp fan. Dont have experience with the 258 but have had good results getting Lunati and Isky tech on the phone. I have an engine with one of each and feel they were spot on regarding recommendations.
     
  13. Sep 15, 2021
    A74CJ5guy

    A74CJ5guy New Member

    Springfield, VT
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    No, It's an Edelbrock, but the cam is recommended for EFI.
     
  14. Sep 15, 2021
    Cwelch

    Cwelch New Member

    Charleston, SC
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    I spoke to lunati the other day and this is the cam that they recommended for me.
     
  15. Sep 15, 2021
    Cwelch

    Cwelch New Member

    Charleston, SC
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    Do you know if your buddy ran stock springs or if he upgraded?
     
  16. Sep 17, 2021
    A74CJ5guy

    A74CJ5guy New Member

    Springfield, VT
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    Stock, if I remember correctly.
     
  17. Sep 17, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    What does Lunati recommend?
     
  18. Sep 18, 2021
    Cwelch

    Cwelch New Member

    Charleston, SC
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    I spoke with lunati the other day and he pointed me in the right direction. He did say I shouldn’t use stock springs and needed to run their springs. He didn’t tell me the poundage of them though. Here is what he recommended.

    Hydraulic Flat Tappet. The best torque cam for 258 c.i. applica- tions. Expect strong low to mid range HP and torque gains. Good idle.; Advertised Duration (Int/Exh): 256/262; Duration @ .050 (Int/Exh): 213/220; Gross Valve Lift (Int/Exh): .484/.507; LSA/ICL: 112/108; Valve Lash (Int/Exh): Hyd/Hyd; RPM Range: 1300-5400
     
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  19. Sep 18, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    That's a cam spec, not springs.

    Suspect there is nothing special about Lunati springs; you'll gain something from a spring that's stronger than the stock ones. A factory 258 has a long stroke, and the engine is not meant for high RPM. Peak HP is at 3200 RPM, compared to say the 4.0L which peaks at 4750. A significant difference, largely due to the 4.0L's larger stroke ratio. The factory 258 does not ask much of the factory springs - slow engine speeds, low lift. With higher lift, valve float would happen at a lower RPM with no other changes, but might not matter if you don't wind out the engine to those previously-excessive speeds.

    I suspect the factory 4.0L springs would work, and provide the increased seat pressure that you need with the higher lift cam. No personal experience, just speculating - you could ask on the jeepstrokers site. Or follow Lunati's recs.
     
    Last edited: Sep 18, 2021
  20. Sep 18, 2021
    SFaulken

    SFaulken Active Member

    Bellevue, WA
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    Having installed Sniper EFI on a couple of V8's, I can tell you, you don't need to be shopping for an "EFI Friendly" camshaft. Stop worrying about that part. Buy a cam that's going to operate in the RPM range you like, and the advice from Holley on the LSA *will* make the self-tune stuff in the Sniper more "self-tune". I don't know in an AMC application, but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Lunati's Voodoo Cams for anybody in a Ford Application, V8 or L6.

    Typically speaking the "EFI Friendly" cams you see advertised are for the "dumb" systems from the OEM's that can only adjust so far from the baseline they were designed to operate in. The Sniper is fully tunable.
     
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