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Old Aug 4, 2005 | 11:31 AM
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I've got a line on a couple of cams, but I have no idea how to read the numbers. My car's only mildly modded: Vram, headers, and a tune. Would either of these be worth the trouble to install?
.591 .569 on a 112 or
224/228 .581/.588 114

For that matter, WTF does any of it mean. I know lift/duration/angle, but what does it translate to in the real world? The car isn't a daily driver, but I want to be able to jump in and go whenever I feel the need.
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Old Aug 4, 2005 | 11:58 AM
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Numbers : the first 2 numbers 224/228 are the Intake/Exhaust duration - or how long the intake and exhaust valve are kept open. The larger the number, the more radical (from stock) the cam is.

.591/.569 are the valve lift numbers - or how wide the valves are opened. The real concern with lift is piston to valve interference and spring failure. I'll get back to that in a second.

The 114 is the Lobe Separation Angle. The smaller the number, the more radical the idle (lope) and the less vacuum you have at low rpm. 114 is considered wide, 112 is medium and below 112 is narrow. Unless you love to be shaken and not stirred at idle, stick with 114 or wider.

What does it all mean?

That means it's a small cam and no, it's not worth installing, IMHO. It also means that those specs would be more at home with a turbocharged motor and not a N/A motor.

EG

Last edited by EG@EnglandGreen; Aug 4, 2005 at 12:00 PM.
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Old Aug 4, 2005 | 12:04 PM
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That's the info I needed.
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Old Aug 4, 2005 | 12:23 PM
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EG

What effect do the different cams have on HP vs torque ??

I would prefer to have great low end torque to get out of corners and up to speed vs top end speed.

TIA
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Old Aug 4, 2005 | 12:39 PM
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Originally Posted by EnglandGreen
Numbers : the first 2 numbers 224/228 are the Intake/Exhaust duration - or how long the intake and exhaust valve are kept open. The larger the number, the more radical (from stock) the cam is.

.591/.569 are the valve lift numbers - or how wide the valves are opened. The real concern with lift is piston to valve interference and spring failure. I'll get back to that in a second.

The 114 is the Lobe Separation Angle. The smaller the number, the more radical the idle (lope) and the less vacuum you have at low rpm. 114 is considered wide, 112 is medium and below 112 is narrow. Unless you love to be shaken and not stirred at idle, stick with 114 or wider.

What does it all mean?

That means it's a small cam and no, it's not worth installing, IMHO. It also means that those specs would be more at home with a turbocharged motor and not a N/A motor.

EG
Very Nice break down Thank you for posting
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Old Aug 4, 2005 | 12:59 PM
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Originally Posted by AU N EGL
EG

What effect do the different cams have on HP vs torque ??

I would prefer to have great low end torque to get out of corners and up to speed vs top end speed.

TIA
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Old Aug 4, 2005 | 01:03 PM
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http://ls1howto.com/index.php?article=23

here is a good link to explain the basics.

Longer duration (in degrees) will produce more power. Lower lsa will decrease quality of your idle (meaning it will be very choppy and rough) and also increase power.
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Old Aug 4, 2005 | 01:18 PM
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Originally Posted by AU N EGL
EG

What effect do the different cams have on HP vs torque ??

I would prefer to have great low end torque to get out of corners and up to speed vs top end speed.

TIA
I'm not a cam expert!!! I'm just a n00b learning the ropes...
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Old Aug 4, 2005 | 01:27 PM
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Originally Posted by 03Ragtop
I've got a line on a couple of cams, but I have no idea how to read the numbers. My car's only mildly modded: Vram, headers, and a tune. Would either of these be worth the trouble to install?
.591 .569 on a 112 or
224/228 .581/.588 114

For that matter, WTF does any of it mean. I know lift/duration/angle, but what does it translate to in the real world? The car isn't a daily driver, but I want to be able to jump in and go whenever I feel the need.
Just to throw an opinion in on this..The second cam should produce decent gains (with a tune) and a good driveability. It depends on what you want. It isn't going to give you a 100hp, but that may not matter to you.

The first came looks like it was for a FI car, so probably not a good choice unless you are going that way in the future.

Chris
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Old Aug 4, 2005 | 02:31 PM
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Originally Posted by EnglandGreen
I'm not a cam expert!!! I'm just a n00b learning the ropes...
What??? You didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express???

Welll .....
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Old Aug 4, 2005 | 02:54 PM
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Originally Posted by AU N EGL
What??? You didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express???

Welll .....
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Old Aug 4, 2005 | 03:20 PM
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Originally Posted by EnglandGreen
That means it's a small cam and no, it's not worth installing, IMHO.

EG
I just installed a 224/228 581/588 114 in my 6 speed FRC and it is
a great cam. Lots of torque at low speeds. I use the car for autocross
and so far I am very happy with it. ( I do have LS6 heads/headers)

Russ
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Old Aug 4, 2005 | 03:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Monks
I just installed a 224/228 581/588 114 in my 6 speed FRC and it is
a great cam. Lots of torque at low speeds. I use the car for autocross
and so far I am very happy with it. ( I do have LS6 heads/headers)
SCCA? Does it put you into SM2 or ASP?
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Old Aug 4, 2005 | 03:44 PM
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SCCA...SM2, not legal for ASP

Russ


Originally Posted by 03Ragtop
SCCA? Does it put you into SM2 or ASP?
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Old Aug 4, 2005 | 04:22 PM
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Good to know.
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