Roller Cam Gurus...Step Inside

[Scoobum]

My numbers matching original engine took out the cam at 35,000 miles...and the second one I installed...sh ortly thereafter. The lifter wasn't spinning at all. Both times it was the number 3 exhaust. I've had the engine freshened up with the rotating assembly balanced...and I'm not wasting anymore time/money on taking a chance on taking out another cam...as I'm betting the lifter bore is the culprit. So...what roller cam/roller lifters do you guys recommend that I could use with the stock pushrods and stock rockers.

[Steve Wood]

I use a billet from PTE....it came with Comp lifters....I would suggest the near zero lifters over the standard as they pump up about 6200 rpm in my car.

The cams sold by Full Throttle are similar material to factory rollers.

Some are using other brand lifters as some of the Comps were gummed up on delivery some time ago.

Ask Ed.  He went thru the process a year ago and did a lot of research or call Billy Anderson for suggestions.

[Scoobum]

Steve...what spec cam would you recommend with the junk I've got bolted on?

[Steve Wood]

typically I like 210 or 212 on the intake duration and the same, or a hair more on the exhaust for a stock block.  That way the car still has plenty of low rpm punch when on the street and does not need more converter than whatever it takes to match the turbo.  I think most of them are around .510-.520" on the lift.

The PTE cam in mine is a 210/210.  I have forgotten the lift, but, it is close to .500.  It has a very flat torque curve and runs into valve train limitation before it ever feels like it is tired of revving.   Given the limitation of the factory crank and rods, it's probably best to not push your luck into the 6000+ range too often.

[daveismissing]

What is the duration of a stock cam?

[Scoobum]

at .050 lift duration is 192/196

lift is 384/408

lobe separation is 107

overlap is 38

[daveismissing]

As soon as you step away from a stock cam- are you always sacrificing gas mileage?

[Scoobum]

22 MPG highway mileage...so I say no.

[Steve Wood]

Not much, unless you get radical, then the around town will go to hell, I think.  Last time I checked, I got 21 with mine...the roller

Street driven cars should err on the small side to maintain drivability.  These cars are a lot more fun when the rear tires seem to be directly in sync with your foot instead of lagging behind.  Broad torque band, low rpm bunch, tight converter...

[daveismissing]

22 MPG highway mileage...so I say no.

But I'm at 26-27. ( imperial)

[Scoobum]

LU convertor vs NL

[Steve Wood]

My other car gets 25 but I have seen many that struggled to get 20....25 on an open loop chip....

[earlbrown]

Keep in mind a longer duration cam needs more static compression to avoid being a dog.  Gas mileage at cruise is directly linked to compression/cyl pressure too.

[Steve Wood]

good point.  My cars both run over 9-1.  closer to 9.3 or 4.  Including the one with the stock cam.

[Scoobum]

Steve...how are you achieving this compression ratio?