New LS1 Owners - Newbie Tech Basic Technical Questions & Advice
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Advatages & Disadvantages of a Cam

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-31-2007, 12:40 AM
  #1  
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (13)
 
Cvaught's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Lafayette, Indiana
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default Advatages & Disadvantages of a Cam

Did a search, but turned up nothing. I was wondering what are the reasons for getting a cam, obviously more Hp & torque. Also, arew there any disadvantages with a new cam. Does it effect daily drivability, gas mileage, life of the engine/tranny? I am thinking of getting one after all my bolt on mods, but im not wanting to loose gas mileage or drivability, since my car is a daily driver right now.
Old 07-31-2007, 01:46 AM
  #2  
Staging Lane
 
WiseAssJester's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

A cam that is too large will make the car harder to drive.

Fuel milage goes down, as well.
Old 07-31-2007, 07:13 AM
  #3  
Launching!
 
CavPat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: GB, MD
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Advantages = power and torque

Disadvantages = None


Just don't get one that's TOO big, like the Jester said, it won't be as driveable. A mild one would be good. Say for example a 224R or 228R.
Old 07-31-2007, 07:27 AM
  #4  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Jon5212's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Indianapolis Indiana
Posts: 1,299
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

^^^ +1 it varies greatly... there are some baby cams that make good power... the larger cams suffer driveability and fuel mileage... although i still get ~25 MPG on average with my cam.
Old 07-31-2007, 10:15 AM
  #5  
On The Tree
 
ericn99's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Springfield, mo
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

how does it affect drive-ability ???
Old 07-31-2007, 10:25 AM
  #6  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Jon5212's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Indianapolis Indiana
Posts: 1,299
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

The car will buck at low rpms (if you are an M6)
Old 07-31-2007, 10:26 AM
  #7  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (10)
 
fastest94v6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 527
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Advantages: More power, choppier sound (depending on cam), more attention.

Disadvantages: Ride quality, gas mileage.
Old 07-31-2007, 10:26 AM
  #8  
Staging Lane
iTrader: (2)
 
DAn95's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: G-burg , MD
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

my car has a lope( mite be tune) but sounds very nice. i get 16-17 city and upper 20s highway its my DD. and its pulls a whole lot harder than a stock or mild bolt on car.
Old 07-31-2007, 10:36 AM
  #9  
TECH Resident
 
Arctic2002ss's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: North Dallas
Posts: 828
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

I agree that cams don't like low rpms, which makes stop and go traffic a pain. Also, idle can be a little unstable at startup. It does not take long to adjust to these minor drawbacks though.

Mileage goes down a little on the highway but city mileage suffers more.

IMO, that's about it. With a good tune, all else is great.
Old 07-31-2007, 12:49 PM
  #10  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (21)
 
coolformula's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Greater Chattanooga
Posts: 1,029
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

30 MPG on the hiwaay with a big cam.

but yea in train it can kinda stink. stop and go.
Old 07-31-2007, 12:56 PM
  #11  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (19)
 
Ericbigmac83's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Owings, Md
Posts: 2,157
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Sounds like you would be happy with a 224/224 on a 114 or so. Its really the bigger cams with bad tunes where people have problems, also when they dont have the correct gearing to work well with the cam
Old 08-01-2007, 03:00 PM
  #12  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (10)
 
TXws6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Houston
Posts: 2,004
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Cvaught
Did a search, but turned up nothing. I was wondering what are the reasons for getting a cam, obviously more Hp & torque. Also, arew there any disadvantages with a new cam. Does it effect daily drivability, gas mileage, life of the engine/tranny? I am thinking of getting one after all my bolt on mods, but im not wanting to loose gas mileage or drivability, since my car is a daily driver right now.

is your car auto or m6?
Old 08-02-2007, 12:12 PM
  #13  
TECH Fanatic
 
Dal1as's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: MD
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

One disadvantage that has not been mentioned are the springs weakening. If your car is a daily driver you may be changing your springs every year to year an a half. The 224/224 cams usually call for them to be replaced every 20,000 miles. I'll be doing them every year when I do my cam.
Old 08-02-2007, 12:24 PM
  #14  
Staging Lane
 
Guido1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

224/224 - great daily driver
228/232 - middle of the road
236/242 - big
244/248 - race only

these numbers relate to the duration of the cam, you wana try something with 110-114 lsa, depending on your needs, also as stated above, consider springs, anything around or over .600 of lift is gona require 12-20k swaps, or less

there are no disadvantages of a cam, except for un tuned will run a little sloppy for a DD, maybe some surge issues and bucking, you should consider a TR224 or something similar for smooth daily driving

Check out the internal engine section of the forums, theres a real hot thread on cams thats recent
Old 08-02-2007, 06:52 PM
  #15  
TECH Enthusiast
 
will82's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Somewhere Between Mild Insanity and Complete Psychosis
Posts: 565
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

The only disadvantage comes when you ask in the tech section and 95% of the responses are "bigger is better."
Old 08-02-2007, 07:21 PM
  #16  
Registered User
 
coop333's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Sacto, ca.
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

It's funny reading all these responses being from california... Our biggest worry would be if the tailpipe emissions are going to be too high.

Besides the point... I'm wondering how the hell somebody is getting 30mpg in a camaro... I've caculated mine tons of times and the best I have ever got was 22mpg and that was all freeway in 6th gear...
Old 08-02-2007, 08:07 PM
  #17  
Staging Lane
iTrader: (1)
 
ricernomore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Besides the point... I'm wondering how the hell somebody is getting 30mpg in a camaro... I've caculated mine tons of times and the best I have ever got was 22mpg and that was all freeway in 6th gear...[/QUOTE]


do you have a cam?
Old 08-02-2007, 08:50 PM
  #18  
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
ErikElvis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DE La Ware
Posts: 1,094
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Yeah if Im driving normally Im lucky if I see 22mpg. With a smaller cam and a good tune you prob wouldnt lose and mpg. Especially in a M6
Old 08-02-2007, 09:05 PM
  #19  
Launching!
iTrader: (6)
 
RacerScott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: St. Joseph, MI
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by will82
The only disadvantage comes when you ask in the tech section and 95% of the responses are "bigger is better."


Old 08-03-2007, 10:07 AM
  #20  
Launching!
iTrader: (4)
 
fastvert's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Bethel Park,PA
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by will82
The only disadvantage comes when you ask in the tech section and 95% of the responses are "bigger is better."
haha. how about asking any question in any forum....
EXAMPLE:
Question: "What stall should i get? I been thinking about a 3200..."

Answer: "You'll hate it. Get at least a 4000"


Question: "What gears for my car?"

Answer: "4.10s without a doubt."


etc
etc
etc


Quick Reply: Advatages & Disadvantages of a Cam



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:26 AM.