Crane 2031 cam install on a 95 Cobra Questions

[SVTtripleblack]

Hi Guys,
I am in the process of buying a Crane 2031 cam. I want to go with this cam because I hear it was designed around the 93-95 Cobras and I hear it works very well with our 94-95 computers. I know what most of you will say, why are you going with that cam, why not go with a custom grind or a better power cam? Well the truth is, I really want to keep my stock heads and intake and I don't want to have them ported. They flow fairly well and I think my cam is my weakest link at this point. I just had a tune done not to long ago and I really don't want to mess with that either. I made 255rwhp and 299tq peak with that last tune. I just want a fun weekend car that I can occasionally take to the track and get some decent times.

Well enough of that.

1. My first question is, will installing this cam really mess up my A/F ratio causing me to need another tune?

2. My second question is, will I need different length pushrods or just buy a shim kit? I spoke with a tech from Summit and he told me to buy a shim kit rather than buying an adjustable pushod to figure out the length. He said this would be easier.

Sorry if I'm clueless because I am. I'm not doing the cam install myself I'm having the pros do it. I just want to make sure I have all the right parts together beforehand.
So far, I think I'll need:
1. The Cam (of course)
2. Trickflow upgraded valvesprings
3. Summit roller timing chain kit
4. cam install gasket kit
5. VALVE ROCKER ARM PEDESTAL SHIM KIT

Let me know if that's all I'll need. And any light shed on my questions would be a big help as well.

Nick

 

[earleys94gt]

I just looked at the Specs. on Crane's website, and they said to use either these
http://cranecams.com/?show=browseParts&lvl=3&prt=95&action=partSpec&partNumber=36623-16

or

http://cranecams.com/?show=browseParts&lvl=3&prt=95&action=partSpec&partNumber=36624-16

these pushrods. They say what the application is at the bottom of the page.

I don't think it will throw off your A/F so much that you will need another tune, but I can't say for sure. Good luck.

 

[SVTtripleblack]

Thanks Early,
It looks like I will need the first set of pushrods you listed. I believe the part number for the cam is 44425. Will I still need the VALVE ROCKER ARM PEDESTAL SHIM KIT? I don't know enough about this to know what all is involved. Can anyone help?. I have the stock Cobra 1.7 Crane roller rockers and the stock cast iron gt40 intake and heads. What else will I need to do a cam swap besides what's listed in my first post? Thanks

 

[95riosnake]

When I did my 2031, I bought the cam, valve springs, locks and retainers, gaskets, comp cams timing chain, and the stock pushrod length ended up being fine, although I upgraded to Manley Chro-Moly ones. I also bumped the timing to 16 degrees advanced. I still have no tune, it stalls at a red light from time to time, but that will be solved when I get it tuned after my current round of mods.

I bought the cam, springs, locks, and retainers all in one kit from crane. I don't remember the part number, but if you wanted to go that route I could try and find it for you.

 

[SVTtripleblack]

I bought the cam, springs, locks, and retainers all in one kit from crane. I don't remember the part number, but if you wanted to go that route I could try and find it for you.

That would be great. I would really appreciate it. That is an awesome paint job by the way.

When I did my 2031, I bought the cam, valve springs, locks and retainers, gaskets, comp cams timing chain, and the stock pushrod length ended up being fine, although I upgraded to Manley Chro-Moly ones.

Do you think my stock pushrods will up to the task, or do you recommend upgrading? It would be nice to save that $100, but if I really need them I won't hesitate to get them.

How much power do you think you picked up after the cam install? any before and after track times?

 

[95riosnake]

You should still check pushrod length, but your pushrods should be fine if they're correct. I just wanted the added peace of mind of the chro-moly ones. I don't go to the track much, so I don't have any before/after times. I'll say on the butt dyno it felt like a nice gain.

Searched around and found the part number for the kit, it's CRN-444226

here's the Summit Link, $275.95, the cam alone is $189.95 so the kit is a pretty decent deal.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=CRN-444226&autoview=sku

oh and thanks for the compliment

 

[SVTtripleblack]

You should still check pushrod length, but your pushrods should be fine if they're correct

By correct do you mean the stock pushrods? If that's what you mean, then yes they are stock so they should be correct.

I'm going to take it to CJ Pony Parts here in PA to have them do it, so if anything else is needed I'm sure they will know what to do. I just don't want to take it there and then have it be on hold waiting for a part that they don't have in stock.

Oh, by the way, should I just get the cam swap gasket kit from Summit, or should I look somewhere else?

Thanks again for all your help.

 

[95riosnake]

What I mean by correct is if they are the correct length. There is a tool for checking pushrod length, the shop will have it. If your stock pushrods end up being the length you need, they should be just fine

You'll need a timing cover gasket, lower intake gaskets, and some sealant I believe...as far as gaskets go. It's been about a year since I did mine so I don't remember exactly what I needed gasket-wise.

 

[SVTtripleblack]

Thanks man, you were a big help. You just saved me at least $50 because I was going to buy the springs separately. I didn't know about the cam/spring set. I was going to go with the Trickflow upgrade springs because that is what was recommended from Summit, but these should be just as good.

 

[95riosnake]

Thanks man, you were a big help. You just saved me at least $50 because I was going to buy the springs separately. I didn't know about the cam/spring set. I was going to go with the Trickflow upgrade springs because that is what was recommended from Summit, but these should be just as good.

Yea I've had the cam in for about a year now and the car has kissed 6k rpm's a few times and hasn't had any valve float.

 

[gmkillr]

You should get new hardened pushrods, at the proper length, which could be different from what others use. You could bend the stock pushrods even if they are the correct length because they are not hardened.

 

[95riosnake]

You should get new hardened pushrods, at the proper length, which could be different from what others use. You could bend the stock pushrods even if they are the correct length because they are not hardened.

yea that was my thought in getting the manley ones

 

[Touring23]

Will I still need the VALVE ROCKER ARM PEDESTAL SHIM KIT?

Sorry if I missed it, seems no one has mentioned lifter preload yet? You know to check & set it, right?
HTH

 

[95riosnake]

Sorry if I missed it, seems no one has mentioned lifter preload yet? You know to check & set it, right?
HTH

He's having a shop do the install so I was assuming they know all about that.

 

[SVTCobra306]

I wouldn't waste the money on a shim kit. The Crane 2031 is ground with a small base circle compared to the stock camshaft, so more than likely you will find out that your stock 6.250 pushrods are somewhere in the neighborhood of .060 too short.. which is not correctable via shims. Longer pushrods are required. 6.310" pushrods are typically required however you should use a checker to verify this, as minor differences in deck height and cylinder head thickness will affect this reading.

I ran a 2031 on a 306 with stock heads and intake, 70mm TB, shorties and full exhaust/CAI, and a stock tune and never had issues. It is a very SN95 and power adder friendly camshaft...

 

[SVTtripleblack]

Ok I will go for the hardened pushrods. It might be a few months before I get this done now. I just talked to the manager at the shop and he said it would take around 15 hours to do the install. I figured it would be 10 hours at the most. He did take into account of installing new pushrods, timing chain, and gaskets. Is this right, or should I look for another place to do the job? They charge $65/hr.

 

[DDSTANG94]

that's too height go to a shop that prices by the job not hour,

 

[95riosnake]

that's too height go to a shop that prices by the job not hour,

+1

I think I had $400 or $450 in labor for the whole install of the cam, plus porting the lower intake some.

 

[SVTtripleblack]

I wish I knew one in central PA. I will check with a local engine builder tomorrow. He is also known to be on the high side though. Both these shops are reputable and do good work, but I can't spend that much on a cam install. My mouth almost dropped when he told me how long it would take. I mean I know it is a major job, I just figured these guys rip motors apart all the time and can practically do it with their eyes closed.

 

[SVTtripleblack]

To be honest, I don't know too many shops that charge by the job. Most are hourly, around here anyway. I'm just going to have to call every shop in the phone book tomorrow.