Hey im new to the forum and i just have one question. What is a good cam to go with? i have a SOHC, and i am looking to put boost to it and do all the engine and tuning work to get it to the top HP i can. anyones input will greatly be useful.

 

If you are gonna boost it later, then go with the Crane #12 cam and don't forget the valve springs will also need to be upgraded.

 

what if you dont want to boost it? do you have to change the PCM too?

 

For a SOHC, the highest is a Crane #14 if you have a DOHC then the #14 would be a good start, but it all depends on how streetable you want it.

No, just add better valve springs along with the cam.

 

You don't have to upgrade the PCM for the cam to work, but you need to keep in mind that the SOHC stock PCM has a rev limiter at 6750 RPM. Torque with the stock cam starts dropping quickly past 6500 or so, and HP follows not long after. Any upgraded cam is going to make that region useable. Even the Crane 0010 will still be making good power all the way up to the Mopar SOHC 7000 RPM limiter.

Now, I'm not suggesting that you use a Mopar PCM with a turbo system, at least not without a timing retard unit (like MSD DIS-2). But you could go with a stock DOHC PCM and have a 7200 RPM rev limiter. That's assuming you have a 5-speed...

Are you planning on upgrading the engine internals to get that "top HP"? The most you can realistically get out of the stock rods is around 225 ft-lbs torque before they let go (rare exceptions are out there). I know of several SOHC's making 350+ HP now, although I think they're all Magnum heads. There are a good number of DOHC's making 500+ HP, don't recall anyone pushing a SOHC that far.

Crane does make cams bigger than the 0014 for the SOHC. Jeff B. had one in his ACR back when he was still SOHC. Requires lash adjuster caps though since the lift is pretty high (>0.400 IIRC). But the 0012 should be plenty.

Best of luck!