Comp Cam or Voodoo or...

[Kaspar 21]

I know this has been discussed before, but as products keep evolving and I'm a novice I hope someone might have some recommendation.

 

I need a new cam for my stang.

 

Here are first my specs:

 

302 engine

Edelbrock Performer RPM Top end kit (Heads, manifold, chain...)

Edelbrock E-Street EFI

Stock Torque converter

3.55 rear gear

I don't know my compression, but my mechanic thinks it's 8.5:1

 

 

I had the Edelbrock Performer RMP Cam that came with the Top End kit, but it broke and I would like something else/better as I understand it's a pretty bad cam.

 

I would obviously like as much power as possible, but I'm mostly interested in a calm idle and low end rpm power, cause I use the car as an everyday car also in city traffic, and mainly have fun accelerating below 3000 rpm. So one that has a range starting at 1500rpm may be cool. Or would I loose too many overall horses?

 

A quick googling suggests that a Com Cam XE262H might be a good fit? Or what about the Voodoo cams. I read they should be good too? Or something else? So a nice idle with as much low rpm power is what I'd like :-)

Thanks,

Kaspar

[Caseyrhe 650]

I've always had good luck with Crane or Melling cams in the big blocks I built, years ago. Used a Melling in my last build last year, no issues.

[afret 37]

If you do a search, I think you'll find that the Comp Cams XE series tends to cause a lot of valve train noise probably due to the design of the ramps (fast) on the cam lobes.  If that won't bother you, that cam seems to be a reasonable choice for what you're looking for.  Otherwise, something like the Comp High Energy 268 will probably work great.  

 

The Lunati Voodoo I think has even faster ramps than the Comp XE but isn't supposed to be noisy.  Both companies make good cams.   Right now, I have a Lunati Voodoo in my street FE but it's a solid lifter cam.

 

And one thing you might consider is a torque converter with a little more stall.  It makes the car perform better with a larger cam letting the engine get to the power band quicker from a standing start. 

[barnett468 418]

Comp xe262h AND get your compression to 10.0 to 1 . Without compression, it will always be a dog.

 

Most valve train noise using the xe cams is caused by comps crappy lifters, not the cam.

[RPM 1,190]

Hey barnett, watch your mouth!. I've a Comp Cams XE with their crappy lifters :)

[Kaspar 21]

Thanks guys.

In the meantime I've been reading quite a bit online articles and it sounds a lot like the Lunati Voodoo cams are fantastic. Though more pricey. Hmm...!?

And yeah a torque converter is on my list of future upgrades. :-)

[jholmes217 65]

Call Ken at Oregon Camshaft.  Tell him what you have, and what you want the car to do.  I'm very happy with the cam and lifters I got from him.  http://www.oregoncamshaft.com/

[barnett468 418]

Thanks guys.

In the meantime I've been reading quite a bit online articles and it sounds a lot like the Lunati Voodoo cams are fantastic. Though more pricey. Hmm...!?

And yeah a torque converter is on my list of future upgrades. :-)

 

the voodoo cams were designed by harold berkshire whom is the same person that designed the comp xe series along with other comp cams . if you compare a lot of them, you will find that a lot of the voodoo cams conveniently fall inbetween the comp cams, lol.

 

most mere mortals will not be able to tell the difference between a similar comp and voodoo cam so don't hope for any magical horsepower to suddenly appear if you use a voodo instead of a comp . as i said, it will be a pig no matter what you do unless you get your compression up a LOT, and in fact, the lower your compression, the smaller your cam should be to compensate for it, and the comp xe series cams are compression builders to some degree.

[Rsmach1 71]

Harold designed their original High Energy series, he did NOT design the the XE line.

 

EDIT; He left Comp cams in 1980 and opened Ultradyne cams.

[barnett468 418]

Hey barnett, watch your mouth!. I've a Comp Cams XE with their crappy lifters :)

 

oh, sorry, that was a typo...comp cams makes the bestest lifters on the planet!

[RPM 1,190]

oh, sorry, that was a typo...comp cams makes the bestest lifters on the planet!

Ya do know I have the ability to ban you for such insensitive remarks? Who's laughing now Bucko? :)

[ray1970 88]

I vote for a custom cam a little more money a little more time but well worth it.

[barnett468 418]

Ya do know I have the ability to ban you for such insensitive remarks? Who's laughing now Bucko? :)

 

Yes but I also know that you can't find the ban button.

[Ridge Runner 1,112]

I like the Comp  cams .The 270 H is  a good fair idle cam with good power increase .The 280 H gives you a good boost but has a bit rough idle .292 S or H for all out power but it has a very rough idle .H is hydraulic and S is solid . I always use the Crane lifters though  For the H series cams. I have the 292 S in my 351 

[Kaspar 21]

Thanks for the replies.

 

After reading them and making a few phone calls to Crane, Summit and other shops I've narrowed it down to these four:

 

 

Comp Cam High Energy (supposed to be recommended over the XE):

#31-216-2

212/212 @.050", 260/260 adv, .447"/.447" lift 110 lobe sep, 1200/5200 rpm

 

 

Crane Cam:

#363902

204/216 @.050", 260/272 adv, .456"/.484" lift 112 lobe sep, 1500/4500 rpm

 

 

Voodoo (possibly with a 2200 torque converter):

#20350710

211/219 @.050", 262/270 adv, .541"/.549" lift 112 lobe sep, 1600/5600 rpm

 

 

And then Oregon Cam Shaft can make this for me (based on my engine specs):

#1369 (pretty much the exact same specs as the Comp Cam XE262H):

218/224 @.050", 262/270 adv, .493"/.501" lift 110 lobe sep, 1400/5500 rpm

#1425 (with a 2200 torque converter):
224/230 @ .050", 268/280 adv, .485"/.490" lift, 110 lobe sep, 1600/5800 rpm

- the also make their own lifters.

 

 

I leaning towards the Voodoo or the Oregon Cam #1425 (will eventually get a torque converter after summer).

 

Thanks.

[Rsmach1 71]

Based on you wanting a calm idle and low rpm power I'd vote the voodoo you listed (yes I'm partial to Lunati). The comp 260h is a ok cam but it's an older single pattern design from the late 70s, you'll get better performance from a split pattern design. The Crane is another good older desin, but it's basically a step above stock, very mild. I have no experience with Oregon's cams, but based on specs and your daily driver request I wouldn't go any bigger than the smaller of the 2 cams. JMHO.

[barnett468 418]

this is simple . comp xe262h or the lunati . the comp has a 110 lsa and the lunati has a 112.

[jholmes217 65]

Thanks for the replies.

 

After reading them and making a few phone calls to Crane, Summit and other shops I've narrowed it down to these four:

 

 

Comp Cam High Energy (supposed to be recommended over the XE):

#31-216-2

212/212 @.050", 260/260 adv, .447"/.447" lift 110 lobe sep, 1200/5200 rpm

 

 

Crane Cam:

#363902

204/216 @.050", 260/272 adv, .456"/.484" lift 112 lobe sep, 1500/4500 rpm

 

 

Voodoo (possibly with a 2200 torque converter):

#20350710

211/219 @.050", 262/270 adv, .541"/.549" lift 112 lobe sep, 1600/5600 rpm

 

 

And then Oregon Cam Shaft can make this for me (based on my engine specs):

#1369 (pretty much the exact same specs as the Comp Cam XE262H):

218/224 @.050", 262/270 adv, .493"/.501" lift 110 lobe sep, 1400/5500 rpm

 

#1425 (with a 2200 torque converter):

224/230 @ .050", 268/280 adv, .485"/.490" lift, 110 lobe sep, 1600/5800 rpm

- the also make their own lifters.

 

 

I leaning towards the Voodoo or the Oregon Cam #1425 (will eventually get a torque converter after summer).

 

Thanks.

I have the Oregon cam version of a Comp Magnum 280 and Oregon lifters.  I used Joe Gibbs assembly lube, and Joe Gibbs break in oil.  Everything worked as it should, and that was 10 months ago now.  As far as customer service, the Oregon Cams owner (Ken) is a Ford guy, and races Fords.  He picks up the phone when you call usually in less than 5 rings and it is him you are talking to.  Easy to work with if any questions arise.  I'm very satisfied with his products and customer service.

[Rsmach1 71]

Hey Kaspar, just wanted to make sure you're aware, the lunatti cam you listed is a hydraulic roller, while the rest are hydraulic flat tappet. The Voodoo FT would be part #10350701,

 

Specs Advertised 256/262

Duration @ .050 (Int/Exh): 213/219

Gross Valve Lift (Int/Exh): .483/.499

LSA/ICL: 112/108

RPM Range: 1000-5500

 

Next step up would be #10350702

 

Specs Advertised (Int/Exh): 262/268

Duration @ .050 (Int/Exh): 219/227

Gross Valve Lift (Int/Exh): .499/.522

LSA/ICL: 112/108

RPM Range: 1400-5800

[Kaspar 21]

Yeah, I noticed that too. 

I'm gonna go with the Voodoo hydraulic roller cam+roller lifters. Got them from Jegs who has them in stock and also recommended that kit over the other options.

Thanks for all your advice!

[jholmes217 65]

Yeah, I noticed that too. 

I'm gonna go with the Voodoo hydraulic roller cam+roller lifters. Got them from Jegs who has them in stock and also recommended that kit over the other options.

Thanks for all your advice!

Jegs has a military discount if you are a veteran.  That's why I buy from them instead of Summit most of the time.