Mild Cam vs BIG Cam?

[thahemp]

Originally Posted by Alvin@PCMofNC

Any cam you choose is a trade off. You trade off absolutely perfect driveablity in all conditions and great emmissions for slightly less driveablity and slightly worse emmissions but more power. You trade down low for power up high. Whatever the case may be any cam choice will be a carefully thought out balance between driving habits/power and the over all shape of the curve.

To me giving up 5-10 rwhp at high RPM for 10-15 down low is a dumb idea in a 3800 pound car used 99% of the time on the street. So having said we try hard to make the most power, have the best driveablity, have good emission qualities, and strong torque without making any significant compromises elsewhere.

I think you meant giving up 5-10HP at low RPM for 10-15 up high is a dumb idea on a street driven car? I hear ya though. Mine doesn't go to the track, so I like the TQ tabletop that starts way down low... don't really care about the peaks.

[JEFF75645]

Here's my 223/236. Its pretty mild.

[Pro Stock John]

What's the LSA of your cam Jeff?

[JEFF75645]

Can't remember.lol. Its been a while since I looked

[Anthony @ LG Motorsports]

Originally Posted by fastfreddie

I've been reading and studying about CAM's and there seems to be alot of talk about Mild Cam's for DD's and then BIG Cam's for more HP. I've done some searching but haven't found an answer to what I'm looking for.

I'm assuming a Mild Cam is somewhere around 231/236. What is considered a BIG Cam? Also, what are the pros and cons to a BIG Cam?

Thanks for the help!

Here is my thoughts.....

Pick a cam for you and your car. Don't fall into the online dyno war thread.

Now as for what is a big cam as to what is a mild cam. I would say that is more up to the owner than anything. Just like drivablity it changes to each owner. Some might feel a stock ZL1 is to aggressive for a daily driver, while others would be fine going back and forth to work in a Top Fuel Dragster


Try and talk to guys that have something similar to what you are wanting to do. Figure out what RPM range you keep the car in, and ultimately what you want to do with the car.

Sit down with a few different tuners and see what they have to offer and what kind of package or parts they can put together for you. I know it is far to easy to fall into the Stage I, II, III...what ever package but figure out what is right for you.

As with anything else, it is about the entire combo!

[SPCBA]

Originally Posted by Pro Stock John

Those are just thoughts, everyone has different ideas on what is mild, wild etc.

Max power = biggest camshafts = need to spin the engine higher as you mentioned.

What cam do you have?

i dont even know whos post i responded too...it was one with cam specs...

agreed mild and wild is different for everyone.

i have a custom vvt grind by Ryne Cunningham

[Alvin@PCMofNC]

Originally Posted by thahemp

I think you meant giving up 5-10HP at low RPM for 10-15 up high is a dumb idea on a street driven car? I hear ya though. Mine doesn't go to the track, so I like the TQ tabletop that starts way down low... don't really care about the peaks.

No I literally mean 5 rwhp on the top isn't worth the 10-15 hit down low! We've seen several cars come in with entirely the wrong cam for the applicatoin and while plotting them against one of ours you can plain as day see a huge hit in the 2500-4800 RPM area. They may make a touch more up top but now without paying a huge penalty down low.

[thahemp]

Haha.. We're on the same page, but that's not how your post reads is all i'm saying. Maybe i'm losing it?

[thahemp]

Originally Posted by Alvin@PCMofNC

To me giving up 5-10 rwhp at high RPM for 10-15 down low is a good idea in a 3800 pound car used 99% of the time on the street.

There.. I fixed it for ya... I think. If I'm misreading it then I apologize. I really do like the mentality you guys seem to have. I have been eagerly awaiting some good threads on your cams.

[SPCBA]

heavy cars need torque. having a flat torque curve with power off idle is a good thing

[thahemp]

Yeah. I get that. What am i missing here?

[litle88]

I think your fixed it hemp. You eint missing nuffin.

[thahemp]

They are tryin to make me crazier than i already am!

[SolomonAKOO]

Originally Posted by thahemp

They are tryin to make me crazier than i already am!

Possible?