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Cam Degreeing Necessary?????

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Old Feb 4, 2002 | 08:43 PM
  #1  
The Guy in MY 99TA's Avatar
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Default Cam Degreeing Necessary?????

I am not sure if there are alot of DO-IT-YOURSELFer's out there but I like to do things my own cause sometime Ya just cant trust other people. I want to do a cam/head swap this summer. I have a good bit of experience with older style small block chevys that you could just install the cam "straught up" and it would be fine. But my question is "IS IT REQUIRED/NECESSARY TO DEGREE A CAM IN AN LS1??" I guess it would work but these cars arent ya average slap together motor either. Can you guys help me out???????

Thanks
Josh Sullivan <img src="graemlins/gr_punch.gif" border="0" alt="[fight]" />
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Old Feb 4, 2002 | 09:08 PM
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Default Re: Cam Degreeing Necessary?????

While I feel cam degreeing is an important thing to do, 90% of cam installers skip this critical step. Most just line up the dots. If you are "cam degree phobic" then I suggest getting a cam from one of our vendors like MTI who've had success selling cams that are installed "dot to dot"...don't take chances...get a proven cam if you're not going to degree it in.
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Old Feb 4, 2002 | 09:19 PM
  #3  
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Default Re: Cam Degreeing Necessary?????

[quote]Originally posted by The Guy in MY 99TA:
<strong>I guess it would work but these cars arent ya average slap together motor either. </strong><hr></blockquote>

The LS1 *is* the fisher price motor of all time...its just so dang easy. Anyways, like said above, if you get a cam thats ground properly dot to dot will work.

When I ordered my cam from thunder racing, they put the cam on a cam doctor before they shipped it to me to verify it was ground properly, so there was not much of a need to degree it in.
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Old Feb 4, 2002 | 10:19 PM
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Default Re: Cam Degreeing Necessary?????

My cam is the T1 cam.. Mine is installed dot to dot..
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Old Feb 4, 2002 | 10:48 PM
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Default Re: Cam Degreeing Necessary?????

dot-to-dot
here is a pic
http://ls1info.com/article.php?sid=192
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Old Feb 5, 2002 | 04:38 PM
  #6  
The Guy in MY 99TA's Avatar
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Default Re: Cam Degreeing Necessary?????

Cool! Thanks guys I wasnt sure if it could be done that way or if it would matter with the computer stuff b/c I have always worked with older big blocks <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0"> and a few small blocks. Thanks guys and if I can help you guys anyway I can email me or something!

Josh Sullivan
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Old Feb 6, 2002 | 07:14 PM
  #7  
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Default Re: Cam Degreeing Necessary?????

Unless there is something that may be questionable with the cam or chain, it may be a waste of time. I quit degreeing production cams long ago as I never found one out of spec.
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Old Feb 6, 2002 | 07:38 PM
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Default Re: Cam Degreeing Necessary?????

I think its just as important to try the best position of cam in motor, as it is to now its centerline. What i mean is install cam dot to dot, run car at the track ,street race against previous competitor or dyno car.Get first hand data on cars power,driveability etc. If not satisfied advance or retard accordingly. This info is much more important than having exact intake centerline reading, unless you are copying someone elses EXACT combination to a T. Just my opinion. <img src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" border="0">
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Old Feb 6, 2002 | 08:04 PM
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Default Re: Cam Degreeing Necessary?????

It's been my ecperience that "dot-to-dot" installations go the best.

If you do advance or retard the cam upon installation, please tell your tuner that you did and how much.

That can be a nightmare to diagnos otherwise.

<img src="gr_sad.gif" border="0">

[ February 06, 2002: Message edited by: Mr Cowl Hood ]</p>
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Old Feb 6, 2002 | 11:51 PM
  #10  
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Default Re: Cam Degreeing Necessary?????

I have installed all kinds of performance cams over the past 30 years. After degreeing the first 20 or so, even back then, and finding none over 1 degree off, I gave up and install them all "dot to dot".
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Old Feb 7, 2002 | 05:12 AM
  #11  
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Default Re: Cam Degreeing Necessary?????

[quote]Originally posted by jmX:
<strong>

The LS1 *is* the fisher price motor of all time...its just so dang easy. </strong><hr></blockquote>

Thats one quote to remember! <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0">
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Old Feb 7, 2002 | 07:19 AM
  #12  
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Default Re: Cam Degreeing Necessary?????

hmmmm....surprising answers. I would say out of every ten installed, ONLY one will NOT require a bushing for correct timing. This has been true regarless of cam manufacturer so far.

Shame on you guys doing a cam AND head swap, <img src="images/icons/rolleyes.gif" border="0"> jeez, you have the heads off already, just take a couple minutes to check it. If it is off by several degrees you are just giving up performance.
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Old Feb 7, 2002 | 07:11 PM
  #13  
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Default Re: Cam Degreeing Necessary?????

Horsepower, my opinion on this is, you are not wrong and i agree it is worth degreeing cam but,
what spec is right ? I think straight up is a good starting point regardless of actual location(centerline reading) Its not so hard to go back and change cam timing, so i say try one position baseline car and make a educated analysis of if there is more to be gained in forward or retarded position. Who is out there telling us the hot position for each cam?MOst cars are different so trial and error is good method IMO.
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Old Feb 7, 2002 | 07:36 PM
  #14  
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Default Re: Cam Degreeing Necessary?????

connect a dot.......la la la la connect a dot........... la la la la. <img src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" border="0">
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Old Feb 7, 2002 | 08:14 PM
  #15  
The Guy in MY 99TA's Avatar
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Default Re: Cam Degreeing Necessary?????

Thanks guys ..... I have realized it really isnt quite worth the money to pay someone to do something I can do easily in my own shop.. even though I do like to have someone who is experienced in doing something present... but I think I can get buy with just some freinds, a case of beer(for after the work is complete) and a little sweat.... and I have another question

Why do alot of guys spend that money to have something done that most people can do??

I'm only 17 years old and I have aaaa lllllooooooootttttt of experience in cars and motors etc.

Josh Sullivan
p.s. please dont be affended by anything said above if you dont have time to work on your car etc.
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