Solid Roller Cam for smog test strategy
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 8
From: San Jose California
Solid Roller Cam for smog test strategy
I was really ticked when my hydraulic 228/232 cam failed to make the smog test on my LS7 block 427 in my 2002 Z. I loved the combination, but Kalifornia did not. 501rwhp/528rwt
Remembering my old C3 days, the mild hydraulic cams had durations very close to the hot mechanical cams of the day.
Question: What if I were to run a similar grind solid roller and replace the lifters at smog test time with hydraulic lifters? Would this make the cam "smaller" allowing for a better chance of passing smog?
This process would be repeated every two years and removing the intake to access the lifters is pretty easy. I could even rotate a set of solid lifters rebuilding one set at $12 each after each cycle.
An all aluminum engine does not need hot lash like an iron engine, lash grows as engine gets hotter, so I could even preload the solid to obtain .001" at normal idle temp. There would be very little rattle to cause wear on parts.
Genuine expertise would be greatly appreciated!
Remembering my old C3 days, the mild hydraulic cams had durations very close to the hot mechanical cams of the day.
Question: What if I were to run a similar grind solid roller and replace the lifters at smog test time with hydraulic lifters? Would this make the cam "smaller" allowing for a better chance of passing smog?
This process would be repeated every two years and removing the intake to access the lifters is pretty easy. I could even rotate a set of solid lifters rebuilding one set at $12 each after each cycle.
An all aluminum engine does not need hot lash like an iron engine, lash grows as engine gets hotter, so I could even preload the solid to obtain .001" at normal idle temp. There would be very little rattle to cause wear on parts.
Genuine expertise would be greatly appreciated!
Last edited by Chuck Harmon; Nov 2, 2010 at 03:40 AM. Reason: clarification
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Redding CA
Team Owner
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Freeport, FL
Just a thought, but maybe you could run E85 for the test.You could get a seperate "tune" for E85 fuel, and start running it before taking the test?
Wouldn't alcohol allow you to pass without having to change any engine parts? Heck, it's why they want the stuff anyways, right?
I guess the question would also be, do you have alcohol out your way?
Wouldn't alcohol allow you to pass without having to change any engine parts? Heck, it's why they want the stuff anyways, right?
I guess the question would also be, do you have alcohol out your way?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Pasco WA
Don't tell him that! We have too many Californians that've moved up north, already. J/K, I'm just jealous that they can sell their houses in CA. move north, and pay cash for a house, and start a business for what profit they got out of their CA. house. 
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,451
Likes: 27
From: Bay Area CA
You failed with that cam? That's shocking to me. Were the cats hot enough? I had a 228/232 cam (on a 115lsa) and it passed CA smog. The thing with the sniffer here is overlap. 0 or negative overlap will usually pass if the car is tuned well. The Katech toquer cam on a 116LSA should pass. Andy (A&A Corvettes) has some LS7 cams that will pass also.
