how to pick a cam? class

[grumpyvette]

well Im sure someone will say , " the more lift and duration the better" but its not that simple, like everything else in an engine there are some compromises, first thing to consider is what the cam/engine will be used for, the flow rates of the cylinder heads,intake,carb,headers, car weight, gear ratios,ETC. your useing, next the rate of lift the lobe has, the type of cam , possiable clearance problems, ramp speeds, valve float rpm,duration,of the cam,rpm range it will be run in, rocker arm ratio used, lifter diameter,valve spring pressures,type of lifter, is a rev. kit used,engine displacement,ETC but as a general rule you first find the lift at which your head flow peaks and try to get the valve just above that lift for the longest possiable time that does not cause an excessive loss of torque in the lower rpm ranges you intend to operate in through loss of cylinder pressure from overlap caused by to great a duration or to tight of a spaceing in the LSA. look here,read

 

http://www.newcovenant.com/speedcrafter/tech/camshaft/1.htm

http://www.newcovenant.com/speedcrafter/tech/camshaft/2.htm

 

http://www.newcovenant.com/speedcrafter/tech/camshaft/3.htm

 

http://www.newcovenant.com/speedcrafter/tech/camshaft/4.htm

 

http://www.newcovenant.com/speedcrafter/tech/camshaft/5.htm

 

http://www.newcovenant.com/speedcrafter/tech/camshaft/6.htm

 

http://www.newcovenant.com/speedcrafter/tech/camshaft/7.htm

 

http://www.newcovenant.com/speedcrafter/firebird/Technical/tech/camshaft/8.htm

 

http://www.racinghelp.com/picking_camshaft.html

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/axelg/cams.htm

 

http://fly.hiwaay.net/~drickard/cam.htm

 

http://www.wighat.com/fcr3/camtruth.htm

 

http://tru-442.tripod.com/camselect.htm

 

http://www.sdsefi.com/techmods.htm

 

as a last option

http://camadvice.com/

 

http://www.crowcams.com.au/html/camselect.htm

[danj]

Grumpy

 

Can't thank you enough for all those links that are just packed with useful information. Like taking a correspondence course. I'm from the old 50's and 60's days of backyard mechanics and 57 Chevy's. Just getting back into the flow after many years and deciding to have some fun with a 1983 280ZX 2+2 I owned since new. It's now in the process of getting a 383 sbc so I need all the info I can get(and hopefully absorb).

 

DanH