I Dont Get Custom Cam Idea

[Dave2000GT]

I honestly have no idea how custom cams are even chosen. There's so many variables going on that the only way to really KNOW which cam is best would be to try EVERY single one for a given combo. There is no way to 'calculate' the optimal cam.

 

[liljoe07]

I honestly have no idea how custom cams are even chosen. There's so many variables going on that the only way to really KNOW which cam is best would be to try EVERY single one for a given combo. There is no way to 'calculate' the optimal cam.

They are done with computer programs, data and good ole' experience. Some of the programs in use are pretty detailed, and some use more than one program.

 

[84Ttop]

I would hope the prospective engine builder would do some research- heck even call one of the tech lines at Summit, Crane, etc. or jump on a message board. Even if he used one fhte tried and true cams say a TFS, Anderson or Crane OTS cam and then get the custom cam and see what difference it would make.. We're talking about your average build= nothing exotic- like a stock bottom 302 with a new TFS, AFR, or Edelbrock top end. The same buiild thats been done 10000 times. Even a 347 with a decent set of heads.

My engine builder doesn't own a computer.... He has a rack of paper catalogues and no internet... This is a win for me, he isn't so involved in the YellowBullet drama and is busy building what he know works. Years of experience building high performance engines will easily surpass the knowledge that you can find via the Summit tech line, those guys are hardly worth the time of day when seeking advice on anything.

 

[liljoe07]

My engine builder doesn't own a computer.... He has a rack of paper catalogues and no internet... This is a win for me, he isn't so involved in the YellowBullet drama and is busy building what he know works. Years of experience building high performance engines will easily surpass the knowledge that you can find via the Summit tech line, those guys are hardly worth the time of day when seeking advice on anything.

Guys like those are hard to find! Its amazing what guy like them did back in the day with basically nothing but determination and thinking out of the box. A good friend of my family is like that. You could talk to him for hours about engines and racing!

And X2 on leaving summit techs out of the picture! LoL

 

[84Ttop]

Discussion with my engine builder:

Me: How hard can I spin this motor?
Him: 9,000 rpm's or until it comes apart...
Me: How much boost can I put through it? It just saw 38.2 lbs
Him: Does it still run?
Me: Yes
Him: At least 38.2 lbs...
Him: They make new race parts every day, you blow it up and we'll fix it.

This is typically how matter of fact our conversations are. The most comforting part is that I have the most budget junk in his shop.... Last time I was there picking up the motor he had just finished 3 Fulton Billet BBC's (Nitrous ProMod motors), each sporting 5 stages of nitrous as well as an Outlaw 10.5 turbo motor. I'm in good hands lol

 

[89llx]

I would say ,that most of the time, that a cam shaft is hurting the performance of a motor, it is simply to big.

 

[cleanLX]

My first custom cam had chev truck big block intake lobe and ford small block exhaust lobe.
Think you are going to find that on a shelf somewhere?
Cam I have now has "super stock" lobes, runs to 7500rpm on itty bitty 140cc heads but runs fine on the street and makes plenty of vacuum to run all accessories.
Think you are going to find that on the shelf somewhere?

Yes, those are extremes, yes, that what custom cam designers can do.
My Dad's car, stock bottom end, otb GT40 (the real one) intake, otb Ford alum. GT-40 heads. Pretty simple everyday rig right? 360rwtq, drives like a Toyota Camry and gets phenomenal gas mileage. Find that in a shelf cam.

 

[Blandnuts]

^I thought I was a lurker!

 

[89llx]

My first custom cam had chev truck big block intake lobe and ford small block exhaust lobe.
Think you are going to find that on a shelf somewhere?
Cam I have now has "super stock" lobes, runs to 7500rpm on itty bitty 140cc heads but runs fine on the street and makes plenty of vacuum to run all accessories.
Think you are going to find that on the shelf somewhere?

Yes, those are extremes, yes, that what custom cam designers can do.

This is a great example of a custom cam guy

 

[89llx]

I think I might just order a full race cam, or maybe 3/4

 

[Noobz347]

I cannot believe that this thread is still going. You know what this means? None of us know chit about cams.

I for one, pay to have mine chosen for me.

 

[84Ttop]

^^ This exactly!

 

[rbohm]

I cannot believe that this thread is still going. You know what this means? None of us know chit about cams.

I for one, pay to have mine chosen for me.

actually i learned about cam selection from two of the best, david vizard, and denny wykopf. both of whom were instructors of mine when i was in college studying automotive technology.

 

[Noobz347]

actually i learned about cam selection from two of the best, david vizard, and denny wykopf. both of whom were instructors of mine when i was in college studying automotive technology.

It wan't really directed toward you. It was more towards me. lol

 

[mikestang63]

I know B cams rule.

that is all

 

[84Ttop]

I know B cams rule.

that is all

View: https://youtu.be/XeOn5FjsYAI

 

[7991LXnSHO]

I plan on asking for a cam with ten degrees too much duration, using Rhoades lifters to get my smooth idle and low speed torque back, and still have a cam that screams. It has worked well in the past.