I dont understand ANYTHING about heads and cams, I dont understand all the numbers etc.. The Stage 1, stage 2, stage 3, the 224/224, etc.... can anyone explain it to me? I cant really afford much, and Was wanting like Stage 1 heads, and a cam that would go with those heads and do nice, because my car is daily driver, anyone that can help me out here with these answers?

 

I did a ton of research before ordering mine. Beware, this got long!

Heads:
Stage 1 2 and 3 doesn't mean much. Sometimes they relate to valve sizes, sometimes they relate to double springs, you get something more than the previous stage, that's all.

Valves:
2.00 or 2.02 intake and 1.57 exhaust is typically stage 1, but others have this on stage 2 and even 3. This is the size of the holes for the respective valves. Basically means you can push more air through your engine, this is where the power comes from.

2.055/1.60 is typically stage 2 but again no real relation. Even bigger valves means you can push even more air through.

2.08/1.60 is even bigger on the intake, but this seems too big for stock bore engines, better flow on the bench but can cause problems on the car. Doesn't seem to line up well with the stock bore diameter.

Higher stages typically buy you new hardened valve seats (instead of stock-ish ones), maybe valve seals, bronze valve guides, better quality valves, better springs, etc.

Camshaft:
Duartion (2xx/2xx) means how long the valves are open with each rev of the camshaft. Longer valve opening usually means more power to a certain extent but you can go overboard. Duration also will increase emissions. There are split cams where the second number (exhaust valve duration) is bigger, this is usually for super/turbo/nitrous, since your intake is now more efficient than your exhaust, so it keeps the exhaust valve open longer. Reverse split is becoming popular for naturally aspirated, since our cars typically have very good flowing exhausts and the intake needs some extra help to keep up. The first number (intake) is larger on this type. Duration seems to affect the width of the powerband. Duration is a measure of degrees but I can't figure out exactly how it is measured. But one way to look at it is the width of the lobe.

Lift (.5xx/.5xx or .6xx/.6xx if you're nuts) seems to be the point where the most power is available. Doesn't seem to affect emissions much but allows more air to go in and out in the same period of time. Higher lift necessitates better springs, since they are moving a lot more in the same amount of time and compressing a lot more. Broken springs can ruin your engine, so duals are a very safe bet. Lift seems to push the middle 80% of your HP/torque curve upwards. Lift is measured in inches, the height from the core of the cam to the top of the lobe.

LSA is the angle between the intake and exhaust lobes. This determines the time between when the intake valve closes and the exhaust opens. Too small and you get overlap, where they are both open at the same time and you can get fresh air and exhaust mixing (that's bad). Duration and LSA coupled together cause this. Lower LSA typically moves your power down a tad in the RPM range, higher moves it up.

ID is timing ground into the cam. Personally I'd rather let my adjustable timing chain do this job, but many order theirs with -2 or -4 timing, if you don't have an adjustable timing chain this can gain you some extra power, and -2 and -4 don't seem to cause any problems with the car that I've read about, in fact -2 seems to be what a lot of people order by default. Like I said, the adjustable chain makes it a lot more flexible and less permanent.

LSA and Lift affect the "sound" and idle quality of the car. 112 LSA even with a moderate lift can cause stalling or sputtering, especially on an A4 car.

So in conclusion
-Lobe is the bump on the cam that indirectly pushes the valves open
-Duration (2xx/2xx) is the width of the lobe and determines how long the valve stays open.
-Lift (.5xx/.5xx) is the height of the lobe and determines how far/high the valves open
-LSA is the time between when the intake valve opens/closes and the exhaust valve opens/closes, or really any combination of those two depending on where you are in the cycle.

I don't claim to be an expert, this is just what I've gathered along the way, so feel free to add to or correct my statements.

-Dave
www.blackcamaro.com

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by 770boy:
<strong>I dont understand ANYTHING about heads and cams, I dont understand all the numbers etc.. The Stage 1, stage 2, stage 3, the 224/224, etc.... can anyone explain it to me? I cant really afford much, and Was wanting like Stage 1 heads, and a cam that would go with those heads and do nice, because my car is daily driver, anyone that can help me out here with these answers?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">

 

Great information 2001 LS SS!! I'm also looking at H/C info and so far, this has been the most helpful.

Thanks!!

<img border="0" alt="[Z06 Corvette]" title="" src="graemlins/z06.gif" />

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by NDOMTUS:
<strong>Great information 2001 LS SS!! I'm also looking at H/C info and so far, this has been the most helpful.

Thanks!!

<img border="0" alt="[Z06 Corvette]" title="" src="graemlins/z06.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Again, this is my take on it, so possibly the experts here will correct me on some things, but glad I could help.

Not much on it yet but check out www.blackcamaro.com/headscam

-Dave

 

Good information...great way of spelling it out for beginners! Its always nice when someone takes the time to do that.

 

Good job Dave!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> That breaks it down very well.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Toxic Texan:
<strong>Good job Dave!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> That breaks it down very well.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">No kidding someone make this guy a moderator.

 

Thanks so much man!!! that is EXACTLY what I needec