How do you figure out the max lift/ duration specs. your motor can handle before selecting the right cam?
Cam Selection
- Thread starter franknitticutlass
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You should base your selection on what you are building your engine for, street, street/strip, or strip only, not by how much the engine can handle. If the car is rarely going to be brought to the track (if ever) it's not practical to have an engine that will twist to 8000rpm, you'll never use it, plus the added problems of having to run a 2800 or higher stall (creates much more heat), the engine not pulling enough vacuum for your brakes, it will hate idling in traffic or stop and go driving, etc, etc ,etc.
A good mid range cam is hard to beat, (for street use anyway) yes deeper gears, higher stall speed are necessary, but the right grind will still produce the much needed vacuum. "RV type" cams are great if you plan on packing the miles on this thing, good milage, excellent throttle response, does well in traffic, requires very minimal changes (if any) to the rest of the drivetrain. At any rate match your cam with what you have built your engine for, you (and your car) will be much happier with the result.
A good mid range cam is hard to beat, (for street use anyway) yes deeper gears, higher stall speed are necessary, but the right grind will still produce the much needed vacuum. "RV type" cams are great if you plan on packing the miles on this thing, good milage, excellent throttle response, does well in traffic, requires very minimal changes (if any) to the rest of the drivetrain. At any rate match your cam with what you have built your engine for, you (and your car) will be much happier with the result.
Be totally honest on the intended application when choosing the proper cam. If you want a cam for a daily driver dont pick one with a bunch of lope and a range of 3000 - 7000 rpm as it will be miserable to deal with on a daily basis. BTDT!
Look at the duration numbers, the lobe separation angles (LSA), and the intended rpm application of the cam. Keep duration between 210* & 230* @ .050" lift and keep the LSA between 110* and 114*. A 230* cam on a 110* LSA will lope really nice but you'll be hard pressed to get any decent fuel mileage. A 210* cam on a 114* LSA will sound almost stock. Choose wisely. Call the cam manufacturer. Your satisfaction is their intention. Most have a toll free phone number.
Look at the duration numbers, the lobe separation angles (LSA), and the intended rpm application of the cam. Keep duration between 210* & 230* @ .050" lift and keep the LSA between 110* and 114*. A 230* cam on a 110* LSA will lope really nice but you'll be hard pressed to get any decent fuel mileage. A 210* cam on a 114* LSA will sound almost stock. Choose wisely. Call the cam manufacturer. Your satisfaction is their intention. Most have a toll free phone number.
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