crane 296-2/ 326-2 cams

[baldoldfxr]

Anybody out there using these cams ?, how do you like them ,are they noisy in use ? any comments would be appreciated as I'm considering getting one , thanks.

[Mark222]

I am running the 290-2 with 240 / 248 duration and .581 lift. 10:1 Wiesco pistons and heads shaved .040, dyna 2000 single fire ign.  This setup is not noisy at all but I am also using roller tiped rockers.

Cam comes on strong from ground up (about 1800) but makes the its strongest peak just a littler higher in the RPM band than I had planned (about 4200).  It has an adjustable  gear (+4 / -4*) I have not yet played with this feature yet but it will move the poewr band about 300 RPM up or down depending.

Do not know many people running these Crane cams, but I like what I got out for this setup in my 85 FXEF.

Mark

[Mark222]

Hey baldoldfxr

After some more thought I looked deeper into the numbers on these two cams you inquired about.  A couple observations: 

1. While not high lift cams they may need to be checked for clearance.  .500 is about the limit for a bolt in cam in eos.  Very early evos did not have valve reliefs in the pistons, so know what you have before you start
2. These profiles both have a very long duration which would generally mean they will have a strong high end but lack low end torque
3. They both have very late closing intake numbers meaning you would need very high compression ratios to make much power as the cylinder pressure would suffer with stock pistons and heads

Just one man's observations, but too much cam with unmatched components will make a dog out of your bike.

Mark

[baldoldfxr]

Mark I agree with you about these cams in std evo's , I have Rivera 4valve heads comp ratio 10.5-1, a matched rivera exhuast,super E & ultima ignition ,  I am currently using a crane 406 which is fairly low lift (480 )& longish duration -in244-ex250,      the 4 valve heads work well with long duration cams & dont seem to need a lot of lift.  the 326 seems like it would be worth a try since it would increase lift & duration a bit .
I had the 406 in with the original heads an early screaming eagle carb & revtech staggered duals -reasonable bottom end with a big kick at 3000rpm ,good fun when thrashing about but I didnt feel the benifit of the cam a lot of the time,

[Mark222]

Oldfxr

As you know, it is all about flow. With 4 valve heads and 10.5:1 you are right, you about have the bases covered for a cam in this range.  I can say I actually have a little too much compression in the current set up I run, but overall I am very happy with the Crane product after about 15K miles now.  I have a light bike so I have not (needed) tried making many more changes as the current improvement over stock is quite noticable. 

Mark

[jsachs1]

Back in the day,the 326 was my choice for Fueling/Rivera 4 valve heads.
They're better choices for Evo's depending on current mods.
John

[baldoldfxr]

Back in the day,the 326 was my choice for Fueling/Rivera 4 valve heads.
They're better choices for Evo's depending on current mods.
John   

Have you any other comments or tips ref these heads as any  info is always appreciated, thanks.

[Dave*M]

With the 4 valve heads you don't need alot of duration cause of how the flow.I run an Andrews ev-3 cam in my bike . That is the max. lift you need,anything more and I personally feel its a waste unless you are going racing.
My setup is the anti-reversion pipes into a 2-1 exhaust running dual 38mm Mikuni snowmobile carbs.The bike makes great power and comes on low and will pull way over 100 miles an hour with out any effort.
The motor is set up to run at 10.3:1 for static compression with a gear set at 4 degrees retarted.I am also running the dyna ignition and a max. of 25 degrees of timing.
It is very reliable and is a good street bike.I went on a trip of 2700 miles with it and was happy with the way it ran.
As for what to do to improve the setup,try when the motor is apart to match the intake pleniums to the head for better flow into the heads.Other than that a dual carb setup will yeild about 10-15 more horse on the top end.

[baldoldfxr]

Hi Dave, I was just looking at the specs on the 326 & its very close to the old Rivera  cam apart from an increase in lift,
I will try it in the bike & let you know how it goes.