How noisy are cams?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 71
From: MA
How noisy are cams?
Thinking of doing a head/cam/header package and have seen many posts of the dreaded valve train sewing machine sound. More than a few really hate it. Since I have never heard this combination in action, can you give me an idea of how loud it is? Any sound clips? Can you hear it form outside the car with the hood down? How noticeable is it from inside the car?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 4
From: Brentwood TN
That "sewing machine" sound is the music of precision power making machinery working in concert with other pieces to make enormous amounts of fun. I had a '56 with the old Duntove 30-30 cam (referred to rocker/valve gap) that had that sound. I still remember it after more years than most on this forum have been alive.
Those who know the sound will appreciate it. Those who do not aren't worth your time to educate them.
Charlie
Those who know the sound will appreciate it. Those who do not aren't worth your time to educate them.
Charlie
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,394
Likes: 12
From: Leon Iowa
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Here is my trans am. It ticks and nothing can stop it so I just deal with it. And yes, I can hear it outside the car.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzQnCJhsETw
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Click the link in my sig for mine... G5-X2 cam on a 114 lobe w/ yella terra full roller rockers (new lighter design). Valve train is only marginally louder than stock and I have recently added a vented hood w/o a hood liner so it allows way more noise through.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 9,298
Likes: 4
From: American Canyon Lethal Injection
There is a thread on here that states that the Cadillac Racing Lifters quiets the sewing machine a whole lot. I have a set ordered for when I change my heads. I have the Comp Cam 224/224/ .567 .567 lift on a LSA114..
Here is the sound I now have with the OEM lifters
Here is the sound I now have with the OEM lifters
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Somewhat dependent on how aggressive your cam is. Mine is not and it doesn't sound any noisier than stock. However I am also running the Crane rockers, not sure if they keep things quieter or not.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 13,760
Likes: 75
From: Haymarket VA
I'm running the Cadillac Racing lifters in my 403 with a 234-240 XE-R cam and Comp 921 springs. There is almost NO (none) valve train noise at all. My 346 with a 230-236 XE-R with Comp lifters sounded like a sewing machine.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 3
From: East Hampton CT
I have the LS7 lifters and my car is quieter than many cammed cars but there still is some sewing machine noise in there. Of course my cam is close to .590 lift so I expect some noise anyway.
On another hand, I have heard that properly sizing the pushrods (since you can't adjust the lash by tightening the rockers like in a SBC) can also significantly reduce noise.
On another hand, I have heard that properly sizing the pushrods (since you can't adjust the lash by tightening the rockers like in a SBC) can also significantly reduce noise.
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Le Mans Master
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From: Tampa Fl
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
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From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Caddy lifters and the proper pushrods shold make for a very quiet motor.
When I eventually do the heads I will install the caddy lifters and get a pushrod length checker to make sure I'm in spec.
Currently I'm running the 7.4" pushrods that came w/ my LG kit.
When I eventually do the heads I will install the caddy lifters and get a pushrod length checker to make sure I'm in spec.
Currently I'm running the 7.4" pushrods that came w/ my LG kit.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 538
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From: Geneva, IL Bring back the Chief!
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10,'13-'14,'19-'20-'21-'22
My cam (sig) is considered one of the big guys. Sewing machine sound in pass compartment and barely heard outside of car, hood open or not.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,405
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From: Whippany NJ
CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Thinking of doing a head/cam/header package and have seen many posts of the dreaded valve train sewing machine sound. More than a few really hate it. Since I have never heard this combination in action, can you give me an idea of how loud it is? Any sound clips? Can you hear it form outside the car with the hood down? How noticeable is it from inside the car?
Mine makes the sewing machine noise, but ive also missed gears when racing and skyrocketed into redline! guess what..motor still runs like a champ. Its also due to high ramp rate cams..(aggressive lobes) causing the valves to shut close hard.
Last edited by Ikester; Apr 18, 2007 at 09:12 PM.