A camshaft is a rotating object typically made of metal. It contains pointed cams that convert rotational motion to reciprocal motion. This camshaft increases the duration and timing of valve openings during the engine stroke, resulting in more horsepower and faster acceleration.
Finding the best cam for a 302 Ford truck is critical because it affects its performance and efficiency.
We will assist you in determining the best camshaft for your Ford truck in this article, so review the list and determine your needs.
So, let’s start with the question- What need to know before buying a camshaft?
Choose a camshaft with an rpm range that corresponds to the other components of your vehicle and its intended use. The durations of performance cams typically range from 220 to 280 degrees or more.
Purchase Performance cams because they increase the duration and timing of valve openings during the engine stroke, increasing horsepower and allowing your car to accelerate faster.
Now, this is just the beginning-
7 The Best Cam For 302 Ford Truck
We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of seven of the best 302 Ford camshafts. We hope that our chosen models will provide the best possible performance. Go through the list, look at the product details, and select what you require.
1. COMP Cams 12-242-2 Xtreme Energy
This camshaft’s high 1600 to 5000 RPM operating range is helpful for any truck driver; you can also use it for low speed. The 230/230 duration and the 0.50-second system will significantly improve the engine’s overall performance.
The benefit of this camshaft is that it ensures better receptiveness and improves the street carbureted function. From the moment you install it, you’ll notice an increased roughness when the engine starts and superbly responsive throttle.
2. Crane Cams 449631 Camshaft
Crane Cams is intended to be a bolt-on upgrade for your 302 Ford truck and other comparable vehicles. It will keep your truck at the perfect idle and use mild supercharging to improve off-road performance significantly.
It has a 2000-6200RPM operating capacity, 220/228 0.05” and a 0.531”/0.552” valve lift, making it highly adaptable. If you want to drive low and mid-level trucks and SUVs, this camshaft is an excellent choice.
3. Lunati 10350703LK Voodoo Camshaft
Lunati voodoo cams provide more “area under the curve,” which means more throttle response, faster acceleration, more vacuum, and improved efficiency. This camshaft will deliver low to mid-range torque, plenty of horsepowers, and a smooth idle. For 1500-5500 RPM, it can handle itself no matter how hard you push your truck or even if you choose to go off-road.
It has a 112-degree lobe separation angle with 224/234 duration at.050-inch, which is sufficient to propel the engine. It enables increasing throttle response and speeding up for improved noise.
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4. COMP Cams CL12-212-2 Magnum 224/224 Hydraulic Flat Cam
If you are looking for an upgrade that will take your truck’s performance to the next level, this product will meet all of your needs. These COMP Cams camshaft and lifter kits are ideal for a daily driver or a hot street machine.
The truck’s responsiveness is improved by the 110-degree lobe separation angle, 0.05 duration, 1600 to 5800 RPM, and 0.50-second response time. These camshafts have excellent stopping capabilities for your truck, and the other duration in power brake is incredibly beneficial.
5. Edelbrock 7122 Performer RPM Cam and Lifter Kit
Performer RPM cams provide power from 1500 to 6500 rpm, making them ideal for high-performance street applications. Performer RPM camshafts have more lift and duration than most street camshafts, with 10 to 12 inches of manifold vacuum at idle.
This camshaft produces more horsepower and torque from the low to the mid-range. They are actually designed for high-performance street applications to be a good fit for the Ford truck.
6. Elgin E-1840-P Camshaft
This camshaft incorporates advanced features to meet engine conditions. At the same time, excellent mechanical support keeps the system occupied in the face of adversity. For both parameters, the valve lift remains constant, yielding 0.585”/0.585”.
A sufficient increase in torque imposes an increase in absolute power with the performance cam for the 5.3 Vortec. With its dependable E-1840-P design, this Elgin guarantees complete satisfaction.
7. Comp Cams 54-459-11 Hydraulic Roller Cam
This camshaft is known for its incredible power range due to its impressive RPM operating range, which is between 2000 and 7000. This camshaft has an extensive power range and excellent mid-range torque for LS engines with cathedral port cylinder heads.
This camshaft design ensures that sufficient air is delivered to where it is required to ensure adequate power is produced or generated.
Things you need to consider to buy Camshaft
You must understand some factors to determine which camshaft will work best with your 302 Ford. However, it appears difficult for unprofessionals, and someone does not have enough time to research. So we’ve gathered some excellent advice to assist you in your search for the best.
1. Make sure what type you need, roller or flat
Roller cams valves open faster and remain at a higher lift for a more extended period, allowing for more airflow and power. On the other hand, flat cams cause the lifter to spin as it rides on the lobe. This type of camshaft is widely used and performs admirably; it is also significantly less expensive than a roller cam.
Roller lifters reduce friction on the camshaft, allowing the cam to spin more quickly. Flat-tappet camshafts are certainly the most cost-effective option. Still, they are not always practical in the long run or in terms of performance. The roller cam has the advantage of increased durability and is the best choice for a hot-rodded street engine.
2. Choose right lobe separation angle
The distance between the centerlines of the camshaft’s intake and exhaust lobes is measured as the Lobe Separation Angle. The amount of valve overlap is affected by lobe separation angles, affecting many performance factors, particularly idle quality. The ideal lobe separation angle is 110 degrees, representing the difference between the exhaust and intake valves on the camshafts.
3. Get proper valve raise distance
Cams with short durations and relatively high valve lifts can provide excellent responsiveness. On the other hand, the greater the valve lift distance, the better the product’s performance. Our recommendation is to get a camshaft with a lift of 4.50-inch, ensuring consistency in engine performance.
4. Determine the RPM power range
RPM is the most important determinant of power levels in a vehicle. Some cams with lower duration numbers produce peak horsepower at lower rpm. These cams are frequently used for stock replacement, daily driver, and towing purposes. However, if you want to increase the duration, you must increase the engine’s peak power via the camshaft.
A maximum RPM boost of 6,500 RPM is recommended, with a low end of less than 2,200 RPM. Since 302 Ford trucks, you must be aware of the power levels in which your pick-up thrives.
FAQ:
- Question: How do I pick the best camshaft?
Answer: The rpm range is the range in which the engine performs optimally. Choose a camshaft with an rpm range consisting of the other components of your vehicle and its intended use.
- Question: Which is better, roller cam or flat tappet?
Answer: A cam profile with a larger “area under the curve” has the potential to produce more power. Roller profiles can be more “aggressive” than flat tappet profiles in terms of tappet acceleration.
- Question: Can you run a solid roller cam on the street?
Answer: If you’re doing a solid street roller, I recommend getting a street roller lobe design that requires less valve spring pressure, putting a good lifter on it, and you should be fine.”
- Question: What is the difference between hydraulic and mechanical camshafts?
Answer: It is simply a means of transferring camshaft lobe action to the pushrod. On the other hand, a hydraulic lifter is hollow. It has an internal piston and spring that allows oil to enter and exit.
Final Word
Since camshaft plays a vital role in all car engines, it is essential to choose the right one. Your truck will now perform more efficiently and quickly than ever before, boosting its performance while providing the smoothest function. We know you’ll spend a lot of time searching, but we hope you’ll find your perfect match among these 5 best cams for 302 ford truck picks.