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Old 12-30-2008, 12:12 AM
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Default degree cam?

is it worth the time/effort? also what wheel will clear with the engine in the car...last question will any wheel work or is it ls1 specific?
Old 12-30-2008, 12:40 AM
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Definitely, degreeing the cam is the only proper way to install a cam. It is time consuming but necessary. Cam degreeing is necessary to check the cams position in relation to the crank, just a few degrees off and it can make a big difference on how the engine runs. Check out comp cams,they have a degree wheel kit that will work with the engine in the car
Old 12-30-2008, 01:12 AM
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I have seen as much as 12rwhp just from degreing a cam to the right VEs.
Grind can be as much as 2*+ off
Old 12-30-2008, 01:45 AM
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ok so its definetly worth it...are the wheels specific to ls1 only
Old 12-30-2008, 03:04 AM
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last cam we installed was like 8* (IIRC) off won't say which cam it was as it has nothing to do with the company selling them.

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Old 12-30-2008, 07:01 AM
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my cam was exactly 4* off. supposed to be on a 110 icl and came in t a 114. makes a huge diff in the valve events and dcr.......after that i will always degree a cam.
Old 12-30-2008, 07:32 AM
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the degree wheels are not engine specific.
Old 12-30-2008, 09:19 AM
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Agreed, do it right and make sure the valve events are where intended. The quality control at the cam companies is human (AKA: mistakes happen), and even when inside their specs/limits can be several degrees off. THEN, you also have to consider the differences from one timing set to another and how far they can be off.
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Last edited by Sales2@Texas-speed; 12-30-2008 at 03:46 PM.
Old 12-30-2008, 04:17 PM
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on a related note...

In order to degree a cam, you must have an adjustable timing set, correct?
Old 12-30-2008, 04:37 PM
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Correct: To adjust the VE's you must have an adjustable timing set.
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Old 12-30-2008, 08:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Matt@Texas-Speed
Correct: To adjust the VE's you must have an adjustable timing set.
So on a stock timing set you cant degree a cam? confused.
You just set it dot to dot
Old 12-30-2008, 08:49 PM
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the dot there is intended to be the as ground setting. BUT, when they machine the cam, crank, timing chain, sometimes they can be off a tiny bit can equal a noticible diff. of the exact spec the cam in installed at. the stock timing chain is not adj.. older eng.'s you could drill out the 3 cam/timing bolt holes, install offset keys, and move the gear around on the end of the cam to get what you want. just google cam degree adn Im sure tons of article's are out there that explain the theory and practice. when I did mine, I found tons of pics online and articles. its ont that hard, but it'll cost a couple hundred bucks to buy the stuff and some time to do it. you'll need the small diam. wheel to do it in the car.
Old 12-30-2008, 08:49 PM
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im little confused 2, so ur sayn if you line it up dot to dot it might be off???
Old 12-30-2008, 08:50 PM
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oh and btw, Ive only degree'd a few cams. one was off 4 deg. the other 2 were right on.
Old 12-30-2008, 08:53 PM
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Originally Posted by johnster
im little confused 2, so ur sayn if you line it up dot to dot it might be off???

yes. but it would still run. not off as much as one tooth would be. it would still run fine. just not goin to get what the cam is supposed to give you if its not installed on the right intake center line (ICL). you cant change the LSA, but you can change the ICL with the adj. timing chain. for the most part, you'll just want to make sure its perfectly straight up as designed IN YOUR ENGINE. but if you were to be doin testing on a dyno you could advance or retard the cam timing (ICL) to move the power band around.
Old 12-30-2008, 09:09 PM
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http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...cam/index.html

Here ya go...

think im gonna degree my cam when i get it.... lol
Old 12-30-2008, 09:31 PM
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So does anyone know of any good deals on a degree wheel kit.
Old 12-30-2008, 09:54 PM
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Definitely should degree the cam. Last 2 cams i've purchased were both 6 degrees off. Sadly my keyways were @ -4, 0, and +4. Would've been ideal to have at +6, but better than @ 0 without degreeing it to check.

I scratched my head a couple times the first time i did it, but once you see what's going on it's easy, and kinda fun. Or i could just be easily ammused..
Old 12-30-2008, 10:10 PM
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You can still degree a cam after its been installed and driven on, right?
Old 12-30-2008, 10:13 PM
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Originally Posted by PERFECT Z28
You can still degree a cam after its been installed and driven on, right?
Yup, anytime.


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