My question is when trying to make horsepower, why not just get the biggest cam you can? Can you make good horsepower with like a 206/206? I am not a motor guy and just learning and doing my best to understand what really makes these cars go fast.
Cams, Why not just get the biggest one?
- Thread starter qws2000
- Start date
Welcome!
By registering with us, you'll be able to discuss, share and private message with other members of our community.
turbobitt
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2002
- Messages
- 2,465
Need to dig deeper for a good answer. Biggest cam for what, stage head, stock iron head, or stock style aluminum ? They all have there limitations to a spring package and overall dictates the "largest" cam.
Allan G.
Allan G.
You can make good power with the stock cam
While a "larger" cam may make high HP the issue is whether it's at a usable RPM range. You can make great HP between 8 and 9 grand but on the street it will be a dog to say the least.
Remember the "thumpers" that used to run on the street and sounded cool? Most of the time they sounded "cool" but didn't do much other than sound cool.
What you need to figure out is what works best for the combo of parts that you plan on using. You can have a really cool sounding car that won't get off the line or you can have a car that will embarrass cars that are newer and are supposed to be faster.
Remember the "thumpers" that used to run on the street and sounded cool? Most of the time they sounded "cool" but didn't do much other than sound cool. What you need to figure out is what works best for the combo of parts that you plan on using. You can have a really cool sounding car that won't get off the line or you can have a car that will embarrass cars that are newer and are supposed to be faster.forcefed3.8's
Buckeye Bullet
- Joined
- May 26, 2002
- Messages
- 3,845
The cam needs to match the rest of the combo. A 206 206 is a great cam for even a low 10 sec car. Bigger won't necessarily make more power, just kill spool up and low end power.
I kinda like Charlie answer, always hear hey kid "its not one killer part, but more about combinations" I have a new motor coming together and Im going slow with the intent not to make a mistake... Really the thread should be "My journey to obtain a consistent 10 sec street car". Here is my starting point........Attachments
qws2000 said:
If you have race ported heads going on there you would definitely see power over the commonly run cams you see posted about here. A faster ramp will increase the engines breathing ability and not add in much or any overlap. As long as there isn't any inlet/outlet restrictions you will make more power with a proper cam selection.
hungerbuhler1
Active Member
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2009
- Messages
- 958
qws2000 said:
Your gonna like that turbo!
what makes the cars go fast is like any other car our cars are no different,getting air in and out.heads,cam,unrestricted intake and exhaust etc.you can make good power with a 206/206 for sure I ran a stock cam into the 10s and have a much bigger cam in current combo.looking at your sig your car should be moving out pretty good with those parts unless you have the boost turned way down.
Who are these "people" and what cams are thy referring to? Ive seen cams with more duration well above .050" have the same or less overlap than ones with more duration at .050". I know which one I'd want in my engine if I was looking to make power.qws2000 said:
People= just guys in my local car club who know more than me... If I tell them I was looking to put a cam of 220s, they laugh and say way too much, I told them the heads are going to be race ported.. Also the motor in the pics which is going in the car shortly is a stroker that's also .30 over
- Joined
- May 28, 2001
- Messages
- 2,523
Go with what Bison tells you, he wont steer you wrong. Keep us posted on your progress, I am interested to see how it all turns out for you.
The 145 was more of a joke... I totally will follow Brian, he knows this new build and have been taking his suggestions as the end all, The cam and heads are his call, he makes the choice.... The question was more for me to get a better understanding of cams and where they fit in a purpose build. It also was more to figure why my current motor will not rev past 5300 RPMs.
Does it do something stupid or just run out of steam? How much boost? What fuel?
