Fastroad cam selection & how to install a performance cam

Everything You Need To Know About "Fast road cams for everyday use."

The camshaft is located at the top of the engine and looks like a metal bar with egg shaped lobes on it.  The shape and size of the lobe determines the amount of time that the heads valves are open, and the amount they are open. The valves allow the mixture of fuel and air into the engine and, after combustion, the exhaust gases to flow out of the cylinder.

Most modern engines have a double overhead cam and configuration with one cannot controlling the intake side of the engine and another controlling the exhaust side.  A single a overhead cam has the lobes arranged in a double pattern to allow them to perform the same function.

Double overhead cams are more tunable and allow a greater degree of control and accuracy.  The downsides to fitting a fast road cam includes lumpy idling and loss of power lowdown.  Some high performance cams are constructed of a softer material than standard cans and therefore suffer from premature wear.  Motorsport cams will need replacing every few races so for road use we would recommend a fast road cam.

For maximum flexibility selected can with between the 257°and 285°. These are typically referred to as a stage 1 or fastroad cam. (If you have a high revving engine stick to the upper end of these guidelines). A camshaft will be one of the biggest car tuning mods for a NASP engine. We do not recommend a different cam profile if you polish and port the engine.

When fitting cams always get new followers lifters and springs or at least check these components for wear.

How to Install a High-Performance Camshaft

A few considerations must be addressed before installing a performance camshaft. This involves selecting the appropriate camshaft for your application and properly aligning the cambelt and teeth.

Other components may need to be replaced as well, and clearances will need to be checked often to ensure the camshaft operates properly.

  1. Aligning the Cambelt and Teeth
    Before removing the old camshaft, carefully spin the engine a few times to locate the timing markings on the cam and cam sprockets.
  2. As the top dead centre of the first cylinder piston must be met (T.D.C). If no timing markings are visible, avoid removing the camshaft and consult the engine manual for additional assistance.
    Once the replacement camshaft is ready for installation, it might be challenging to align it properly with the engine internals.
  3. To begin, it is prudent to clean your camshaft with minerals and spirits, since modern camshafts have a rust-prevention coating. Following that, lubricant should be used to disrupt the metal-on-metal contact.
  4. Ascertain that the new camshaft is aligned with the old camshaft's timing markings.
    If they are not aligned properly, the camshaft will be out of phase with the crankshaft, and the valves will lift and shut erroneously. As a result, the fast-moving pistons are struck, resulting in engine damage.
    Remove the timing chain and lifters. The sprocket may then be reinstalled on the camshaft and manually twisted to ensure smooth rotation.
  5. When installing the replacement camshaft into the block, take care not to score the cam bearings.
  6. Once the timing chain and sprocket (or belt and pulley) are attached, align the timing markings properly.
  7. Then, tighten all nuts to the specified torque.
  8. Lubricate the lifters before to installation and ensure that they are changed on older engines to guarantee proper contact between the tappet and the cam lobe.
  9. Assuring that each lifter may move freely once in position. If they do not spin freely, the cam and lifter may fail, since the pattern of contact between the cam and lifter face is not evenly distributed.
  10. With an improved camshaft, a valve shim would also need to be updated or changed. The shim's softer metal structure allows for a space between the valve's top and the crankshaft lobe.

Twin cam automobiles often do not need valve adjustment, since contemporary engines feed the lifters through hydraulics.

Do you also need to replace shims and other components?

Shims are used only on older vehicles to adjust the clearances between the top of each valve and the tappets. It is essential to check the handbook or an engine specialist to estimate this distance, which should be measured using a feeler gauge.

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What Is Valve Lift and How Is It Affected by the Cam?

When updating the camshaft on your engine, the valve lift is the distance in millimetres between the valves. Longer camshaft lobes result in more lift on the exhaust and intake valves.

A performance camshaft may include larger lobes that allow for increased flow. This results in increased peak power and quicker lap times. Performance at lower rpm levels is only marginally affected.

The design of camshafts is a precise science. With restrictions on the size of the lobes. As is the case with a high lift, the lobes may be made higher, but this puts a great amount of strain on the camshaft and valvetrain.

Additionally, the valvetrain must be upgraded to reduce ramp angle and therefore lift. Or even increasing the time required to lift – all of which will have an effect on the powerband of your engine.

Lift is one factor to consider; the other is the possibility of valves clashing with pistons. Increased valve movement as a result of increased lift means they may collide with the pistons as they enter the combustion chamber!

Why It Is Necessary to Check and Adjust Valve Lift.

During operation, the valves open and shut thousands of times per minute as the camshaft rotates. It is critical that the readings be adjusted accurately for the engine application.

They regulate the air intake and the exhaust gases produced during combustion.

Incorrect valve clearance may result in underperforming engines and harsh idling due to the valves opening at the incorrect time to enable the engine to breathe.

A high clearance results in valve clattering, which over time damages valves, camshaft lobes, and rocker arms.

The Importance of Performing a Remap.

It is critical to verify that your engine runs properly after updating your camshaft and correcting the valve lift distance and timing.

As you may be aware, the ECU regulates the quantity of fuel and air in an engine, as well as the ignition timing and boost pressure, based on the rpm range and gearing. This ensures that you are extracting the most amount of power from your automobile in the most consistent manner possible via the use of a smooth power curve.

When an engine is driven on a dynamometer, the power curve is calculated (or Dyno for short).

A programmable ECU enables a mapping specialist to precisely adjust the fuel, ignition, and boost pressures to match your ignition coils and spark plugs, valves, forced induction mechanism, fuel injectors, and, of course, camshaft configuration.

A remap can take advantage of any engine changes and boost a car's performance simply by utilising software. This also eliminates knocking (combustion occurring at an inopportune time during the cycle), an incorrect mixture of air and fuel in which the engine is either too rich (too much fuel for the amount of air) or too lean (too much air for the amount of fuel), which can result in engine strain or an incomplete combustion cycle.

Will Flowed and Ported Heads Have an Impact on the Cam?

If an improved cam is fitted and the valves lift higher and for a longer time in your engine, it may be worthwhile to consider porting your heads for additional performance. However, do they have an effect on the camshaft?

Porting your head entails removing material from your engine to create a larger inlet and exit aperture, which allows for more airflow into the combustion chamber.

If your injectors have been modified to provide more fuel, your power output should rise after a remap.

The camshaft allows for increased valve lift, which ensures that more air is driven into and out of the engine and contributes to your power enhancement. The disadvantage is that if you do not remove stuff correctly, you will need a new cylinder head and will have to restart.

According to the performance community, a ported head provides just a marginal performance boost if the cam is not also improved. As a result, both must be precisely calibrated and contribute to higher power. It is essential to see an expert who will walk you through the cam lobe height improvement ratios and the amount of porting necessary for your cylinder head.

'Bottlenecks' in the flow of information are also a significant influence. Either with the intake and air filter prior to entering the engine, with the head porting itself, or with the restrictive exhaust manifold and piping. If they are not optimised, the enhanced camera cannot be exploited to its maximum potential, and vice versa.

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One Response to “Fast road cams for everyday use.”

  1. salvatore belfiore says:

    I ave 2009 toyota yaris i need high rav cam i need suggestion please e mail me