performance camshafts

[german]

im currently a student in automotive and still cant get a clear picture on what exactly needs to be done when installing a performance cam im thinking new valve springs and retainers, bigger valves and valve overlap. im still a newb when it comes to cams just wanting to know of your guys knowledge on them. i have a b16a2
what gains would i get?? feel free to make me feel dumb lol no hard feelings

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[Roy French]

Hey german91, I can understand your confusion. There is allot to know about performance cams. Certainly new valve springs and retainers are a must. As far as bigger valves go, they are a double edged sword so to speak. It depends on what you are expecting your engine to do. Bigger valves will allow more volume to flow into the head, but with less velocity. I am not familiar with your b16a2 and don,t know what you are after.
As you learn about cams you find they are full of contradictions and limitations. You can have the power at the high rpms or low, but not both. The grind for a camper with 400 hp is much different then a 400 hp drag car.
That drag car will scream at high rps but won’t idle smooth. That camper will sail right up a Rocky Mt. pass, but not make power over 3500 rpm.
I read some years back that Mercedes was experimenting with a cam less diesel for over the road trucks. The valves are pcm controlled hydraulic solenoids. If they ever perfect that you will be able to have it all. Power all through the rpm range and good fuel mileage. I don’t look forward to trouble shooting them though.

[EricTheCarGuy]

Thanks very much for your question. The truth is that making an engine perform better is not a matter of bolting on the right parts. It’s really a matter of reengineering something. For that, you need to take a holistic approach. Meaning you need to understand what your goal is BEFORE you start buying parts and bolting them on. There are several systems that come into play when you’re dealing with performance work. You might think starting with the engine is the way to go. Often it’s not. You need to consider first and foremost how you will use the vehicle. What RPM range you’ll be operating in, as well as tire size and gear ratios. It’s true you can bolt on SOME parts and make more power, but if you don’t have a plan for how you’re going to use it when you’re done you’re not likely to be successful. Trust me, I’ve seen plenty of these types of cars and they may look good on the outside but they’re crap when it comes to performance.

How does this pertain to your original question? Well, don’t start with buying a cam until you know what RPM range you’re going to be working in. Once you figure that out, then you can start to formulate a plan for how you want to vehicle to perform.

[Author]

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