Is this the same generic grind sold in the Crane (former Cam Dynamics) "energizer" line? Specs look very similar to the Energizer line and "generic" cams offered by others. If not, what makes it better? More duration @ 0.200? Asymmetrical lobes? How much "real world" difference is there in these cams?

Don't know!!

You would really need to ask Harold to get a straight answer.

But, imho, I bet it is..

pdq67

PDQ67,

Bite your tongue!
Absolutely NOT!!!

I used to put the 272H Energizer and my UD 272H on tables at places like PRI and let everyone see that they don't even LOOK ALIKE!! The 272H Energizer is a lot more pointed---AKA higher negative acceleration on the nose. It is also symmetrical, designed by Mark Heffington, the former owner of Cam Dynamics.
Mark, the owners of RHS, and Tom Woitesek, Crane's 2nd in command in the cam shop, formed Cam Dynamics in 1972. In 1976 Cam Dynamics split in two, with Mark Heffington keeping the name and equipment, etc, and the guys from RHS, along with Tom, getting the use of the existing masters, the use of the computer program, and some $420,000 in cash.
They called their new company "Competition Cams", and they hired me to be their cam designer, starting in Jan 1977.
I designed my 1st hydraulic cam for them, the 268 High Energy, coining the name also. Notice the specs: 268° at .006", 218° at .050, .454" valve lift. My 272H: 272° at .0045", 217 at .050", .454" valve lift. The Cam Dynamics 272 Energizer looks identical: 272° at .0040", 216 at .050, .454" valve lift. Their nose is more pointed, and therefore has less high-lift area.
It is also ground on automatic machinery, about 90 seconds per finished cam. Mine still go through the 2-operator system, taking about 1 hour total to make one cam.
I used the UD 272H12 in my own personal car---a 1977 Nova with Goodwrench 350, the UD 272H12, Performer, Carter 625 AFB, Blackjacks.... Stock converter and 2.72 rear gears. It would scare my wife to death, until she found out she could beat kids off the line....... It also gave 17 mpg on the Interstate, 17" of vacuum, and a 600-RPM idle.

No, the 272H Energizer and the Lunati 301A5LUN--272/217/.454/112-- are NOT the same cam....

UDHarold

No, Harold, not your version!!

But Lunati's version being probably a generic 272/272 cam!! That's all.

I figured you would know for sure like I stated..

pdq67

That brings me to phase II of my question. What do you think of that cam in the following application:

327
Iron 64cc 350 TPI (L98) heads - 2.02/1.60
Performer RPM
Hedman 1-1/2" headers w/ 2.5" dual exhaust
Approx. 9.2-9.3:1 CR (calculated)
Q-jet

The car is a '65 Chevy II, currently a Powerglide, 3.08 rear. Ultimately, it will have a 700R4 & 3.55 or 3.73 gears.

Right now, I am running stock 69cc 1.72 / 1.50 heads, a performer intake, and an OLD General Kinetic 254 cam (200/210 @ .050", .408/.430 lift, 112 LS). I have the heads and intake, and I am thinking about doing a cam while I am in there.

Also... were the old (late 80's / early 90's) GK cams "Harold" designs? I understand you worked for them at one point.

Harold:

Seen Bob Cook lately? Where did he end up? Is he over at Lunati too?

Originally posted by RB69SS396Conv:
Harold:

Seen Bob Cook lately? Where did he end up? Is he over at Lunati too? =
Bullet I do believe ;)

Harold,

I dont know if Crane changed these Energizer lobes since the days when Mark Heffington designed them but I think they are asymetrical lobes now.

I took an Energizer 272 off the shelf and took a look at the timing card.

@ .004 = 272
@ .050 = 216
For a hyd intensity of 56 deg.

@ .004 IO 27 BTDC .... IC 65 ABDC
@ .050 IO 3 BTDC...... IC 33 ABDC
Span IO side = 24 deg and IC side = 32 deg
24+32 = 56 deg.... I would think a symetrical lobe would be 28/28 ?

So perhaps sometime they redesigned them since they bought CD ?? I dont honestly know ??

Al,

You may be right. I haven't looked at one for over 10 years. Serves me right for harrassing them about it for over 15 years........

The Lunati 00016(284° seat, 218° at .050, .458" vlave lift, and 110 LSA) and the Lunati 06108
(268° at seat, 218° at .050, .457" valve lift, and 110 LSA) are ground on automatics, and may be in fact the same cam. If so, it may be the same as the 268HE, also ground on automatics.....

UDHarold

Harold, my dad was running the 284 and I called Lunati about it and the 268 befor he ordered it and they told me something about lobe shape was the difference. The 284 had better top and the 268 had better bottom. Does this sound right or was I talking to the cleaning guy?

I'll have to find out tomorrow.

They look miiighty close to me.....

UDHarold