02sierraz71_5.3

iTrader: (2)

Is there any advantage to using a more conventional type lobe symmetrical over an xer type comp lobe?

Blue Hawk

Less stress on your valvetrain.

02sierraz71_5.3

iTrader: (2)

I called a couple engine builders and was told there is no real power gains between the two types of lobes. So is it all just marketing hype?

QuietTahoe

Most cam lobes designed in the last 35+ years have been asymmetrical. That's OEM and Aftermarket!

ssheets

iTrader: (1)

You need the Isky 5 cycle cam lobe.

Really is marketing hype...well alot of the lableing is. The guy that's building my heads used to own Howard's cams and talked to Iskederian many years ago. At the time Isky had a 5 cycle (I think it was 5?) cam lobe design that was selling light hot cakes. Later when asked what the hell that meant Isky said, "It sounded good."

I'm not down playing cam deisgn, to the contrary, a good cam design is engineering art, but as usual the marketing can get a little out of hand.

Some people in here understand far more than I do how to balance a cam lobe with spring harmonics, valve train stress and the overall goal of getting the most air in and out as fast as possible.

02sierraz71_5.3

iTrader: (2)

Does he have a website, never heard of Isky lobe design
what makes it different

SStrokerAce

iTrader: (2)

You never heard of ISKY CAMS? wow... how much the world has changed.

I think your question should be more along the lines of....

"Is there any to using a less aggressive lobe over an XE-R type comp lobe?"

Yeah... lobe aggressiveness helps play on the bigger is better theory in cams, but it's not always easy to control and it's hard to get lots of RPM without good parts and aggressive cam lobes.

Bret

ssheets

iTrader: (1)

Isky is Here and Howard's Cams is now Here My good friend used to own it after years of working with Howard. My buddy still holds one of the class speed record he earned while partnering with Howard.

The point is the 5 cycle name was mainly just a name. Isky had named each part of the cam profile (nose, ramp etc) and came up with 5 cycles. It was mainly a joke and turned out to be a heck of a marketing ploy. This he admitted only years after both owners had sold their once rival shops.

Like I said, I'm not belittleing cam designers, there is a lot to understanding the intricate details and the physics involved with pushing air through cylinders using a cam, some lifters, pushrods and valves all being opposed by some super stiff coil springs...it's amazing how complicated such simple things can be.

02sierraz71_5.3

iTrader: (2)

im new to this only really got into it a year ago still learning

SStrokerAce

iTrader: (2)

Well Isky invented aftermarket cams thats why it's funny....

critter

iTrader: (9)

With a welder and file IIRC. I heard you could hear his first cams a block away