How To Choose The Right Cam

Pat Topolinski from Engine Power goes over one of the most discussed topics when it comes to engines: cam selection. Here's how you can choose the right cam for your application.

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[qxnexp]

For street, think about the cam you want, then go slightly milder.
Giving up torque for that peak HP number isn't fun. You'll be spending more time below 4k than you will past 5500.

[warmonger]

Ahhh, answering questions truthfully is going to be a problem for me.

[Myvintageiron]

This video literally tells me nouthing about how to select the right cam

[ck]

The most important things about how to select a cam are left out of this video. Knowing the flow numbers of your heads is a must when selecting the right lift of the cam. If you put a cam in with more lift than the heads flow then the intake runners become saturated with air and you end up losing power. So if you go out and get the biggest drag racing cam you can find and stuff it in your stock 350 or 305 with it's factory heads, more than likely your engine is going to be a dog. If all you do is cruise around, a high lift cam with lots of duration and narrow LSA because you like the sound, it's going to suck driving around town. Know your head flow numbers, how you plan on driving, what RPM range your intake it rated at, weight, trans type, gears will help you choose the best cam for your application.

[KingJT]

3 cam choices

the blub blub blub cam (just say it fast it'll make sense) 8.5-10 to 1 stock to 3.73
the potato cam (this is where most people fall just say potato really fast) 10-11.5 to 1 3.55- 4..30 gears
or the last one the whipeout cam intro drums to whipeout 12.0 to one and up 4.56 and up

there, now you know how to select a cam !! lol

[jorgedamian]

Hello power nation i enjoyed watching this video and learned basically a map pertaining my cam specs and knowing what those numbers mean and where they stand thank you.

[TheSickest]

Cool video, I’m glad Tom Greens brother could help me out with understanding came more

[dirtyboy]

Thanks for this info I just got a full understanding on how things work

[bradleycampbell]

thanks for teh video, i am trying to sort out cam selection for my engine.

[one_Racing]

Video: how to choose the right cam
Answer: ask a cam guy.
Thanks video for wasting my time!

[chrisrye]

Timely info. Selecting a cam now for 94 Mustang GT w/ GT40p heads w/ back cut intake valves, tfs 2500100 spring kit, aode, Explorer intake and 75 mm throttle body. Trying to stay at .500 lift or less, 210-220 dur at @.050 & max rpm 5500 to match parts selected. Target is 300 HP at wheels and reliability. Elgin E-1835-P cam is an option. Or Ford letter cam arpund .480 to .490 lift. I'm open to suggestions if you have a favorite.

[Harley_ashtonn]

I got a rare opportunity to upgrade my cam (im in highschool) and im looking to build for circuit racing.


hears endurance cam used for road racing and durable *HAPPY NOISES*

[Ethan_LeBlanc]

Very good explanation but im kinda confused between endurance and street. I need a cam that for a little but if street racing just some pulls here and there but I’m also daily driving the truck. That imcludes some pretty long trips what do you suggest? I don’t want to replace the cam that much or damage my valve terrain

[Texasmule]

Thank you for the help...I just slapped a 279 cam in my 350 small block and well even tho the idle was rough...it was always ruff and low rpm so it was no problem smoothing it out with carburetor

[billfrench]

Don't forget bigger is not always better, it's also the
CFM of the heads on a flow
bench where it's tested & the complete saturation by lift of cam so if your heads max. Out at .465 you don't put a larger cam

[zmanphx]

Application is every thing. What rpm band will it spend most of the time? The bigger the displacement the more duration it will tolerate for street.

[Dube]

I’m assuming duration is measured @ .050” lift, which would be nice to mention, but not much was.
Also, EFI vehicles may require 112-114 deg overlap due to sensors, but 106-108 deg (for carburetors) provides a broader power band… as I understand it.

[mikehall]

This video helps but still can't find the camera I'm looking for, on thr engine u have so goddammit enjoying, like a thorn in my side

[youngestson]

Well stated. Very thorough and very informative.

[numberpirate]

I like having two different cam profiles for my engine, get the best of both worlds, good streetability and economy, and good power and broad rev range. VTEC FTW. almost 2hp/cubic inch.