OEM Marine Cams VS OEM Automotive Cams

[Boomyal]

For a given motor, ie 302 Ford. Is there any difference between the stock auto version and the stock marine version?

 

[Bondo]

Re: OEM Marine Cams VS OEM Automotive Cams

Is there any difference between the stock auto version and the stock marine version?

Yes.....<br />The Stock Marine cam is Closer to a Stock Heavy Truck cam, than a Stock Auto cam......<br />But,The Stock Marine cam is Still Different than Both the others....

 

[Boomyal]

Re: OEM Marine Cams VS OEM Automotive Cams

Bondo, do you have any idea, in general, the desired attributes of a marine cam vs truck or auto?

 

[LubeDude]

Re: OEM Marine Cams VS OEM Automotive Cams

Hey Boomyal"<br /><br />What is your aplication and what do you want to achive?<br /><br />There are several cam manufacturers that offer Marine applications!<br /><br />I agree with bondo about the stock cams!<br /><br />Its a delicate balance depending on the weight of your boat! You want enough low/end to be able to get on plane quickly, and good top/end performance! Not particularly easy with boats as you know! It sometimes seems that you either have one or the other! I think this is where the cam type (shifting) Props are good! You can cam for top/end and still get a hole shot!!<br /><br />LubeDude

 

[Boomyal]

Re: OEM Marine Cams VS OEM Automotive Cams

LubeDude:<br /><br />I've got my motor all exposed cause I'm getting ready to tear out the spongy floor. Thought this would be a good time to make any cheap improvements in HP. The cam came to mind. I know that you need to be careful in what your use for marine but I have no way of knowing. So I'm casting about to see if there is a better cam for this boat.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: OEM Marine Cams VS OEM Automotive Cams

All later model automotive cams are designed with reducing emissions in mind. On a boat, that needs the low end torque and continuous running above 3000 rpm, a marine came is a completely different animal. You would lose performance with automotive items.

 

[bluewater19]

Re: OEM Marine Cams VS OEM Automotive Cams

If you want a high performance cam for your ford check out comp cams, crane cams,and holley, they make lunati cams. All of these companies make high performance marine camshafts and they have done the research for you on what cam goes best with your compression ratio, hull weight ect... check them out. You will find a lot of cams from mild upgrades to wild ones not suited for stock motors.

 

[Bondo]

Re: OEM Marine Cams VS OEM Automotive Cams

the desired attributes of a marine cam vs truck or auto?

The Major Difference in a Marine Cam is that you're limited to an LSA of 109* to 112*, because of Reversion......<br /> L obe<br /> S eperation<br /> A ngle<br /><br />Some truck cams, the LSA drops below the 109*...<br />And, Hot Rod cams tend to wander to the otherside of the Marine Limit....<br /><br />The Lift,+ Duration of cams determines Where in the RPM band that your engine makes it's Best Power......<br />In Most Boats, You want your "Power Band" to be from Idle to 4600/4800RPMs......<br />A Hot Rod cam that makes 400HP, at 6500RPMs, Really Isn't what you Need in a Boat..... <br /><br />Like the other fellas are saying, Go to a Reputable Cam Grinder,+ Ask Them what you Need.... Most have "Tech" lines you can call....<br /><br />If I were in your shoes, I'd be More Concerned about the Ballgear Drive you're going to be pumping All this Power Thru....

 

[Boomyal]

Re: OEM Marine Cams VS OEM Automotive Cams

Bluewater, thanks for those resouce ideas.<br /><br />Bondo, thanks for the great education. Good note about the ballgear drive, however mine is now 23 y/o w/ no appreciable signs of wear. My OMC 800 outdrive and boat had a 351w as an option so I would hope that a modest increase in power from my 302 would not over stress things. Please correct me if I'm wrong.