What Is Camming A Car? Learn How To Increase Your Engine’s Power

If you’re a car enthusiast, then you’ve probably heard of “camming” your car. But what is it exactly? And how can it help increase your engine’s power?

At its core, camming involves altering the valve timing on your car’s engine. This modification can lead to increased performance and better overall horsepower. But there’s much more to it than simply swapping out parts.

“Camming isn’t just a matter of finding the right kit and installing it; it requires an in-depth understanding of engines and their mechanisms.”

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what camming actually entails, why it can be so effective at boosting power, and the different methods involved in carrying out the process. You’ll discover that with the right approach, camming can give your vehicle the kick it needs to truly stand out on the road or track.

So buckle up, rev your engines, and let’s explore the world of camming together!

Understanding Camshafts

The camshaft is a vital component of an engine and plays a crucial role in determining the performance of a car. In this section, we will discuss the basics of camshafts, their function, and terminology.

The Role of Camshafts in an Engine

A camshaft controls the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves in an engine, which let air and fuel into the combustion chamber and allow exhaust gases to escape after combustion. The camshaft has one or more lobes that push against lifters or followers, which then move rocker arms to operate the valves.

The shape and size of the lobe determine how long and far the valve opens and closes and the amount of time it stays open. So, by changing the camshaft design, you can alter the engine’s powerband, torque, horsepower, and overall efficiency.

In general, high-performance engines use aggressive camshaft profiles that increase valve lift and duration, allowing more air and fuel to enter the cylinder. This improves top-end power but may sacrifice low-end torque.

On the other hand, milder camshaft designs have lower valve lift and shorter duration, making them well-suited for street driving, where smooth idle, good throttle response, and drivability are essential.

Camshaft Terminology

When discussing camshafts, you’ll encounter various terms that describe different aspects of the camshaft’s measurement and performance. Let’s take a look at some commonly used phrases:

• Lift: How far the valve opens from its seat.
• Duration: The length of time the valve remains open during each cycle.
• Lobe Separation Angle (LSA): The distance between the centerlines of the intake and exhaust lobes.
• Overlap: When both the intake and exhaust valves are open simultaneously, creating a period of mixed combustion gases that can improve high-end power but may hurt low-speed performance.

In addition to the above, you’ll also hear other terms like camshaft profile, lift curve, ramp rate, base circle, and more. These concepts help engineers design and optimize a camshaft for specific applications, taking into account factors such as engine size, fuel type, compression ratio, cylinder head flow, and more.

“Choosing the right camshaft is a balancing act based on the driver’s needs: what kind of driving they will be doing, what kind of car they have, and what their budget allows.”

The camshaft plays an essential role in determining how much horsepower, torque, and efficiency your engine can produce. By optimizing the camshaft design and parameters, you can achieve significant gains in performance, whether it’s increased top-end power or better low-end drivability.

So if you’re considering upgrading your engine’s camshaft, make sure to do your research and consult with professionals who can help you find the right balance of speed, power, and reliability.

Advantages of Camming A Car

Increased Horsepower and Torque

Camming a car involves replacing the engine’s camshaft with one that has larger lobes or has been reprofiled to allow for better airflow. This modification allows your engine to breathe easier, resulting in increased horsepower and torque.

According to Tim Bartlett from CAR Magazine, “camshafts determine how much air goes into and out of an engine over time. Different profiles have different effects on power: Some promote high engine speeds at the expense of low-end torque, while others favor idle quality.”

By choosing a camshaft that best suits your driving style and vehicle usage, you can expect noticeable improvements in performance without sacrificing drivability.

Improved Fuel Efficiency

If you’re tired of constantly filling up at the fuel pump, camming your car may offer a solution. By improving air intake efficiency and optimizing valve timing, you’ll likely notice a positive impact on fuel consumption.

According to Matthew Wright from Your Mechanic, “When combined with other modifications such as improved exhaust systems, upgraded air intakes, and retuned ECUs – which stand for electronic control units – cam upgrades can increase overall fuel economy by 10-15%”.

This is due to the fact that camming an engine results in more complete combustion, allowing for optimal use of available fuel.

Better Throttle Response

Camming a car also enhances throttle response, making it easier to get up to speed quickly and shift gears smoothly. The improved breathing capability of a revised camshaft means the engine doesn’t need to work as hard for the same output, reducing lag from pedal to acceleration.

“The basic idea behind a more performance-oriented camshaft is to keep the valves open longer, which allows more air and fuel into the combustion chamber than with a stock cam,” explains Andy Barcheck from Hot Rod Network. “This maximizes the amount of available power on tap.”

The immediate feeling of control and responsiveness can make driving a modified vehicle even more enjoyable.

The Camming Process

Camming a car involves the process of changing out the vehicle’s camshaft to enhance its performance. By installing an aftermarket camshaft or even simply replacing the old one, drivers can enjoy improved power and efficiency in their engine.

Removal of Old Camshaft

The first step in the camming process is the removal of the old camshaft. This requires disassembly of various parts of the engine such as the valve covers, pushrods, lifters, and rocker arms. Once these components have been removed, the camshaft can be carefully extracted from its place.

“The camshaft is what helps control the opening and closing of your engine’s exhaust and intake valves.” -Leslie Waller, Popular Mechanics

Installation of New Camshaft

Once the old camshaft has been successfully removed, the new camshaft can be installed. The installation process varies depending on the type of engine and camshaft being used, but typically it involves setting the camshaft in place and securing all necessary components that were previously removed. It is important to ensure proper alignment and torque specifications are met.

“Performance camshafts feature more aggressive profiles than standard camshafts, allowing them to open faster and remain open longer.” -Summit Racing Equipment

Adjustment of Valve Timing

With the new camshaft installed, adjustments need to be made to the valve timing to ensure optimal performance. This involves adjusting the relationship between the camshaft and the crankshaft in order to maximize the engine’s power output. Ignition timing also needs to be set properly.

“Timing is everything when it comes to high-performance engines, so make sure you get yours right with these performance cam timing sets from COMP Cams.” -Summit Racing Equipment

Testing and Tuning

After the installation process is complete, it is important to test the vehicle’s performance and tune any necessary components to ensure everything is working properly. This may involve testing acceleration, torque, and overall engine sound. The tuning process can take time and may require adjustments to fuel injection and ignition systems.

“It’s crucial to have your car tuned by an experienced tuner who has experience with camshaft installations…tuning should also include a thorough dyno session.” -Garrett Davis, OnAllCylinders

The camming process can offer significant improvements in a car’s performance, but it requires proper execution to achieve optimal results. By following these steps and seeking professional assistance when needed, drivers can enjoy the benefits that come with a well-cammed engine.

Types of Camshafts

Mechanical Camshafts

Mechanical camshafts are the most basic type of camshaft, and they were the first ones ever used in automobiles. These camshafts have a simple design that uses solid lobes to control valve lift and timing. Mechanical camshafts are relatively inexpensive compared to their more advanced counterparts but also require more maintenance.

Maintenance is required because these camshafts utilize a mechanical pushrod system that involves upwards of eight or even 16 rockers, pushrods, and lifter assemblies that all have moving components exposed to wear and tear. The rocker arm pivots on a fulcrum center, transferring the force from the lobe into movement at the pushrod end, which then transfers this forward motion to the hydraulic tappet (lifter). This process cycles continuously with each and every revolution of the pump shaft yet requires periodic adjustments in order to maintain peak valve-train efficiency. Additionally, many older engines utilized solid-lifter camshafts as any clearance issues with one of the 20+ individual pieces of hardware would lead to engine idling problems or possible valvetrain damage if left unchecked.

Hydraulic Camshafts

Many manufacturers today opt for Hydraulic cams, designed to decrease the need for frequent adjustment attributed to the previously mentioned solid grind versions. Hydraulic camshafts featuring corresponding ‘fed’ hydraulic lifters do away with shimmed valves opening directly by the hardened steel turning surface upon contact. Instead, spring-loaded lifters connected to the pushrods adjust hydraulic pressure to activate a light amount of play for transitioning to full torque operation and ultimately better fuel economy. It’s essential when using hydraulics to check both lash settings during installation before verifying proper valve travel distance as listed under the particular camshaft chosen.

One great benefit of hydraulic camshafts is their ability to reduce valve-train noise, another downfall from mechs with much moving powertrain hardware often causing clicking or clanking noises in high-performance vehicles. Hydraulic lifters are substantially quieter and more compact due to an absence of rocker arms and similar noisy pieces.

Roller Camshafts

Roller camshafts use a series of small, cylindrical rollers that contact the lifter instead of using the traditional flat face found on solid & hydraulics cams. Roller cam systems offer varying benefits based upon design elements including: increased rpm potential, reduced frictional losses (which may lead to efficiency gains), various lobe configurations with improved specific advance durations, longer life, increased strength, and better performance under high loads yet the improvement seen will vary greatly based on engine applications as these types usually come at a higher cost initially.

A roller-type cam lobe implementation lends itself well toward reducing the load on the valvetrain by elimination of sliding resistance within equipment such as pushrods for starters. Increased RPM capabilities stem from decreased friction material, allowing some components to slide easily on each other, thereby enabling smoother operation at higher velocities while also potentially increasing power output due to less parasitic force held back.

“Camshaft selection should be based on individual engine needs rather than just popularity.” – Edelbrock Corporation

When it comes to choosing the right camshaft type for an automotive application, there’s no clear-cut preference today, the vast majority of which depend mostly on target usage/testing variables. The mechanical style though being called basic, has gotten people where they need to go safely for decades without hesitation. Cams need careful consideration before purchasing, even seeking help along the way from professionals and mechanics installing them into their intended vehicle platforms.

Choosing the Right Camshaft for Your Car

If you’re a car enthusiast, then you probably know that the camshaft is one of the most important parts of your engine. The camshaft controls the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves which affects your engine’s performance. If you want to get the best possible performance out of your engine, it’s crucial to choose the right camshaft. In this article, we’ll discuss some factors to consider when selecting a camshaft.

Engine Type and Size

The type and size of your engine play a significant role in determining the right camshaft for your vehicle. A larger engine will require a different camshaft than a smaller engine. Engines with more cylinders will need a different camshaft than engines with fewer cylinders.

In general, a higher lift and longer duration camshaft will provide better performance gains but requires a specific combination of other modifications like cylinder head porting and increased carburetor size to maximize its potential increase in power. It is essential to match the camshaft according to specs provided by manufacturers or consult professionals familiar to such upgrades before attempting them yourself to guarantee maximum power benefits and reliability of new setups.

If you are not sure what type of engine you have, check your owner’s manual or take your car to a mechanic who can help determine the correct type of camshaft suitable for your engine type and size.

Intended Use of the Vehicle

An essential factor to consider when choosing a camshaft is the intended use of your vehicle. Do you plan to use your car mainly for racing purposes? Or do you intend to use it mostly for daily driving?

Camshafts made for racing vehicles offer more horsepower and torque at high RPMs but may sacrifice drivability and fuel economy. For daily driving, you will want to select a camshaft that has better low-end torque and drivability. The right choice of intake manifold and carburetor size is also essential for maximum potential power output. Some modern cars may require aftermarket Engine Control Units (ECU) or specialist tuning software at an additional cost or require custom reprogramming.

It’s important to think about your intended use when selecting a camshaft to ensure the best possible performance and reliability from your engine.

“When it comes to choosing a camshaft, we have several things to keep in mind. Your intended use of the vehicle should be at the forefront of consideration.” – Ryan Moxley from Summit Racing Equipment

• In Summary:
• If you are looking to get improved performance out of your engine, then selecting the right camshaft is key. Factors to consider include the type and size of your engine as well as the intended use of your vehicle. Choosing the incorrectly rated camshaft might lessen potential benefits prone to breakage or failure of supporting components or negatively impact overall performance and driveability.

Installation and Maintenance

Proper Installation Procedures

Camming a car refers to the process of installing a camshaft in a vehicle’s engine. It typically involves replacing the existing camshaft with one that has different lobes, or raised portions, which controls the timing and duration of the opening and closing of the valves. It is an important performance upgrade for those looking to increase power and torque in their engines.

One of the most critical aspects of camshaft installation is ensuring proper installation procedures are followed. This entails inspecting all parts for signs of damage or wear, accurately measuring tolerances, and thoroughly cleaning all components before assembly.

It is important to note that not all engines are created equal, so it is crucial to use the correct camshaft designed specifically for your engine type. Using the wrong camshaft can result in poor performance, excessive engine wear, and even catastrophic failure.

To avoid these issues, be sure to consult with a knowledgeable mechanic who specializes in camshaft installation before attempting any work yourself.

Regular Maintenance Schedule

While high-performance camshafts can significantly improve the power and efficiency of your engine, they do require regular maintenance to ensure they continue to function correctly over time.

One of the key things to monitor is the wear on the camshaft and lifters. Camshaft wear can lead to decreased performance, oil consumption, and even complete engine failure if left unchecked.

It is recommended to examine the camshaft during routine engine servicing like oil changes, especially if you have started experiencing symptoms like rough idle or decreased power output. Additionally, it is advisable to replace the lifters whenever new cams are installed since old lifters may have already worn out or developed other issues over time.

Another factor that affects the longevity of your camshaft is valve spring pressure. Over time, valve springs tend to weaken and lose tension, which can adversely affect camshaft operation. Regular inspections of the valve train are essential to ensure optimal performance.

Proper lubrication is also vital for maximizing the lifespan of your camshaft. The right oil viscosity, combined with additives like zinc (ZDDP), will provide adequate protection against wear and tear. Always consult your manufacturer’s guidelines on how often to change the oil, type of oil to use, and whether you should add any additional products to keep your engine running smoothly.

• Key takeaway:
• To avoid potentially catastrophic results when “camming” a car, make sure you choose a knowledgeable mechanic who follows proper installation procedures. High-performance engines require regular maintenance checks to maximize their lifespan and correct potential issues before they get worse.

Frequently Asked Questions