What makes a cam big?

Cam Sizing

When someone talks about a “big” cam, they are referring to cams with longer duration. This keeps the valves open longer, increasing midrange and top-end power at the expense of low-end torque. A shorter duration cam does just the opposite.

Does a bigger cam give more power?

The size of the camshaft will also make a difference in a car's performance. A larger camshaft will allow more air and fuel into the engine's cylinder, making a vehicle drive faster, as well as adjusting the camshaft's timing so that cams are behind or ahead can alter an engine's performance.

What happens if your camshaft is too big?

Camshaft is too large. Intake closing and exhaust opening points greatly affect low-end performance. Going to a smaller cam will help the low end. Tightening the LSA while decreasing duration may help even more, but tighter LSAs have a negative effect on idle stability.

Do bigger cam lobes make more power?

A bigger cam might make more total power, but if the engine seldom revs high enough to take advantage of that extra power it's more cam than the engine really needs. It's better to have a cam that really works in the optimum rpm range, than to choose one that makes big numbers but doesn't win races on the race track.

What makes a cam sound choppy?

Generally its because the aftermarket camshaft (s) are lobed to change the power band of the engine. Valves may stay open longer, close quicker than the stock cam was designed for. This is why idle may sound “choppier" and run rough at idle.

Camshaft - High Lift and Duration - Increase Horsepower

How much HP does a Cammed 5.3 make?

Run with the stock cam, the mildy modified (TBSS intake, headers and 92-mm TB) 5.3L produced 359 hp at 5,300 rpm and 384 lb-ft of torque at 4,200 rpm. After installation of the COMP 54-454-11 cam, the peak numbers jumped to 467 hp at 6,600 rpm and 418 lb-ft of torque at 4,900 rpm. The cam swap was worth 108 hp!

What is the benefit of a big cam?

A bigger cam will open the intake valve wider, allowing more fuel and air into the cylinder. The larger the cam, the more fuel that is let in.

Does a bigger cam need more timing?

The bigger the camshaft, the more it really needs part-throttle timing at low engine speeds.

What makes a cam high lift?

A cam's "lift" number represents how far the valve will open inside the cylinder. More intake lift means that more air and fuel can enter the cylinder (except with direct injection, where the intake valve brings only air to the party) and, theoretically, more power can be made.

What makes a cam more torque?

Rule of thumb: A cam with a wider lobe separation (112-116 degrees) allows torque to be spread over a larger portion of the engine's rpm range and offers better power throughout the upper-rpm range.

What is stage 3 camshaft?

The Stage 3 LS1 camshaft is the largest camshaft that we recommend with the stock torque converter. This Cam Motion hydraulic roller cam delivers mild performance idle, excellent low end torque, and extended RPM capabilities over the stock camshaft.

What does a Stage 2 cam do?

A Stage 2 performance upgrade is a cam change upgrade. In any engine, the cam drives the valves and the valves open to allow air in for combustion. The kits for improved lift, duration and timing focus on either torque or power upgrades. The Stage 2 upgrade delivers up to 30% more horsepower and 10% more torque.

What makes more power lift or duration?

Extra duration increases flow in and out of the engine, which generally gives extra peak power, often to a larger extend than increased lift. Unlike lift, it usually also affects the car's powerband.

What is the highest point on a cam?

The fulcrum, the hole in the cam where the shaft is attached. The highest point of the cam (furthest distance from fulcrum).

How do I choose a camshaft?

The rpm range is the range where the engine performs best. When selecting a camshaft, choose one with an rpm range that matches the other components of your vehicle and its intended use. Follow this link for more about Basic Operating RPM Range.

What rpm should you break cam in?

Perhaps the most important step in the break-in process is to bring the engine immediately up to a minimum of 2,500 rpm or more. This is vital because most V8 pushrod engine camshafts are not pressure-lubed. Instead, the cam relies on splash oiling brought up from crankshaft movement.

Does a bigger cam add compression?

Static compression always stays the same. You can't change that unless you change the pistons or the heads, the head gasket thickness, etc.

Does cam or crank spin faster?

Because one turn of the camshaft completes the valve operation for an entire cycle of the engine and the four-stroke-cycle engine makes two crankshaft revolutions to complete one cycle, the camshaft turns half as fast as the crankshaft.

What are the disadvantages for cam?

What does the size of cam depends upon?

Explanation: Cam size depends upon base circle. The pressure angle of a cam depends upon offset between centre lines of cam and follower,lift of follower and angle of ascent.

Does a bigger cam affect vacuum?

However, the drawback to having a bigger cam is that your engine will get stingy with vacuum. Master Power Brakes has a new Electric Vacuum Pump Kit (PN AC9001K) that plays nicely with big cams because it provides that much needed vacuum for the brake booster, but it does so independently of any manifold vacuum source.

Can a 5.3 make 1000 hp?

5.3-Liter LS Worked Over to Make 1,000 HP and Displace 427 Cubic Inches!

Can a 5.3 make 500hp?

This means you can turn that 5.3L (or 4.8L) block into a 5.7L LS1. As a result, with very little effort you can get 500 hp from your new engine, even with stock GM heads and a midsize cam.

How much HP will a Stage 3 cam add?

It is a lot more aggressive and worth an additional 20 hp on top of the gains from the 8710 grind or 123 hp over a stock LS3 when combined with a stroker kit.

What is considered a mild cam?

An RV or towing camshaft, which is considered a mild performance or an economy cam, will often have a narrower LSA, between 112 and 114 degrees. Hot street camshafts usually have 110- to 112-degree LSA, while high performance and racing camshafts will often run between 105 and 108 degrees.