camshaft upgrade - recommendations?

rossk · Post by **rossk** » Thu Apr 06, 17 12:52 pm

Hi all

Removing the engine soon and was considering changing the camshaft to something a bit more hi-performance while its out?

Any suggestions/ideas/recommendations welcome?

318 V8 1972 Dart, already have a Weiand stealth Intake and Holley Street Avenger Carb if that helps with choice of setup?

thanks

Ross

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Thu Apr 06, 17 1:00 pm

Not personally used one but the Hughes whiplash is designed for low compression engines and stock convertors, that's what I would try.

rossk · Post by **rossk** » Thu Apr 06, 17 1:30 pm

Thanks Blue

Just had a look on the website, reasonably priced as well.

I particularly like the idle description:

Idle: Like it wants to bite your head off! Very aggressive

ScottyDave · Post by **ScottyDave** » Thu Apr 06, 17 5:36 pm

rossk wrote:
Idle: Like it wants to bite your head off! Very aggressive

Like the sound of that myself

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Thu Apr 06, 17 8:58 pm

I had a lot of challenges lately breaking in cams - do not under-estimate the issues nowadays; hydraulic and Flat tappet cams.

Some suppliers will insist on you buying their break in oil or they will not warranty the cam or lifters.

rossk · Post by **rossk** » Thu Apr 06, 17 9:16 pm

Thanks Pete good to know

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Thu Apr 06, 17 9:22 pm

rossk wrote:Thanks Pete good to know

Yes, it is known as "Pucker Time".....

mopar_mark · Post by **mopar_mark** » Thu Apr 06, 17 11:45 pm

Pete wrote:I had a lot of challenges lately breaking in cams - do not under-estimate the issues nowadays; hydraulic and Flat tappet cams.

Some suppliers will insist on you buying their break in oil or they will not warranty the cam or lifters.

Is a hydraulic roller not an option ?

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Fri Apr 07, 17 7:42 am

Yes and Â£Â£Â£Â£Â£Â£Â£Â£Â£Â£Â£Â£Â£Â£.........

rossk · Post by **rossk** » Fri Apr 07, 17 8:34 am

I quite like the simplicity of the current set up Mark, I don't know a great deal about a hydraulic set-up, what are the advantages over the stock option I currently have?

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Fri Apr 07, 17 9:22 am

You already have a hydraulic set up if it is standard...no valve adjustment.

rossk · Post by **rossk** » Fri Apr 07, 17 11:00 am

oh ok, then yes I do know about the hydraulic set up then!!

what's the roller then, or am I just confusing myself?

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Fri Apr 07, 17 11:39 am

Roller cams require Roller lifters to function, and usually adjustable valve gear (Rockers) and probably replacement Pushrods.

Blue · Post by **Blue** » Fri Apr 07, 17 11:57 am

Yes it's just muddying the waters, you need a regular hydraulic cam nothing fancy. But since you asked and it's a slow day at work... instead of the normal flat bottom you have on a solid or hydraulic lifter, you have a rolling wheel. The advantages of this are, less friction, the ability to use a much more aggressive cam lobe and the fact that you can swap them around between cams. They also require no break in period like regular cams do, and that break in period can and often is disasterous if things go wrong. Modern V8 engines usually have hydraulic roller cams, serious race cars use solid roller cams. The downside is cost (double if not triple the price),more moving parts to fail and to service, Machining often needed to fit one.

Here endeth the lesson, move along please nothing to see here...

rossk · Post by **rossk** » Fri Apr 07, 17 12:05 pm

thanks for the lesson