So many different cams...
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Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: kansas city
Vehicle: 99 tiburon
So many different cams...
Hey guys and gals! Just wondering what cams would be the best overall for just a little street racing and day to day driving? Any help would be awesome 
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Joined: May 2001
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From: Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Vehicle: 2008 Toyota Prius 2006 Suzuki SV650S
246 degree cams if you live where there is emissions testing.
If you live where there is no emissions testing you could get away with 260 degree cams.
If you live where there is no emissions testing you could get away with 260 degree cams.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 11,851
Likes: 2
From: Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Vehicle: 2008 Toyota Prius 2006 Suzuki SV650S
Well...I gotta smack myself for this one.
Cam duration is only 1/3 of the equation. The other parts are LIFT, and OVERLAP.
Duration is from Valve open to Valve close
LIFT is how far the valves open
OVERLAP is how long both the intake and exhaust cam are open together!
You can have long duration cams with low lift and high overlap...or short duration cams with high lift and low overlap...or any combination inbetween....
You need ALL the figures to make the correct decision. the comments I made about 246 and 260 were "general" comments.
For a Turbo or supercharger, you want shorter duration, and less overlap, but more lift is not going to hurt, but it won't help as much as in an N/A application. For forced induction, I would not go beyond 246 degree...(in general...)
Cam duration is only 1/3 of the equation. The other parts are LIFT, and OVERLAP.
Duration is from Valve open to Valve close
LIFT is how far the valves open
OVERLAP is how long both the intake and exhaust cam are open together!
You can have long duration cams with low lift and high overlap...or short duration cams with high lift and low overlap...or any combination inbetween....
You need ALL the figures to make the correct decision. the comments I made about 246 and 260 were "general" comments.
For a Turbo or supercharger, you want shorter duration, and less overlap, but more lift is not going to hurt, but it won't help as much as in an N/A application. For forced induction, I would not go beyond 246 degree...(in general...)
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 11,851
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From: Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Vehicle: 2008 Toyota Prius 2006 Suzuki SV650S
Then a 246 degree would be a minor improvment over stock, without killing forced induction performance.
Keep in mind, there are some cams that are designed for forced induction, and others that are designed for N/A. Getting as much info on the cam prior to purchase is your best bet. I have YET to get any information out of HDK as to who makes their cams and what the exact specs are.
The performance camshaft book I reccomended would be a wise $15 investment before spending $300 to $500 on cams. Ditto for the book "Modern Engine tuning".
Keep in mind, there are some cams that are designed for forced induction, and others that are designed for N/A. Getting as much info on the cam prior to purchase is your best bet. I have YET to get any information out of HDK as to who makes their cams and what the exact specs are.
The performance camshaft book I reccomended would be a wise $15 investment before spending $300 to $500 on cams. Ditto for the book "Modern Engine tuning".
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If going forced induction keep your stock cam and invest in some other things first. Get to the 10 psi well tuned tibby (230 BHP). If you want to move forward think of it as a different ballgame, you will need pistons, rods, head, cam and others for$$$$. The stock cam will do fine for the first stage.
