need some cam explanation
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 903
Likes: 4
From: Oakville
need some cam explanation
I just bought a 99 vette and am looking into some power upgrades. The car currently has a B&B Route66 exhaust and an intake. I am trying to research cams and heads and do not understand the differences between the lifts etc..
What makes the cam more aggresive?
Are there big power differences between cams?
What would you recommend for myself? I want to make big power and want to stay N/A. The car will be my everyday driver as well as roadtracked once and a while.
What makes the cam more aggresive?
Are there big power differences between cams?
What would you recommend for myself? I want to make big power and want to stay N/A. The car will be my everyday driver as well as roadtracked once and a while.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Check out this short primer on valve timing. It's a nice summary that lays out the valve events and gives you a starting point to understand the role of the cam.
Valve timing
Valve timing
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,743
Likes: 3
From: Davie Florida
Yes, there is a big difference from a mild cam to a big aggressive cam.
Duration=how long the valve stays open.
Lift=how much the valve opens.
The longer the valves stays open coupled with how much the cam opens the valves. Tells you how aggressive the cam is. LSA (lobe separation angle) also is important. In general a cam with a 112 LSA will not idle as smoothly as a cam with the same specs on a 114 LSA.
Is your car an M6 or an A4, does your car have any mods? Before adding a cam I would suggest you get headers first if you don't already have them. If your car is an A4 I would suggest you think about what hi stall converter you are going with before installing a cam.
Duration=how long the valve stays open.
Lift=how much the valve opens.
The longer the valves stays open coupled with how much the cam opens the valves. Tells you how aggressive the cam is. LSA (lobe separation angle) also is important. In general a cam with a 112 LSA will not idle as smoothly as a cam with the same specs on a 114 LSA.
Is your car an M6 or an A4, does your car have any mods? Before adding a cam I would suggest you get headers first if you don't already have them. If your car is an A4 I would suggest you think about what hi stall converter you are going with before installing a cam.
Last edited by Mitch C; Oct 18, 2004 at 03:20 PM.
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I have a mild cam....see my sig for mods and RWHP...I would have liked to go more aggressive but the car is my DD and I really didnt want to deal with driveability issues...
