have cams improved in the past 10 years?
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 213
Likes: 3
From: St. Cloud, MN
have cams improved in the past 10 years?
I have a 96" s&s evo with edelbrock performer heads and a super g carb with thunderjet installed. The motor was built by the previous owner 10+ years ago. My curiosity is making me wonder about a cam swap. I know it is cammed up right now but not sure what specific cam it is. Since it is 10 or more years old I'm wondering if the advancement in cams in the past years is worth the money/effort of a swap. Anyone have any thoughts or input on the topic?
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
There are some old cams that are still made and very popular, also later ones that get good reviews. The later ones seem to me to need high CR for them to give their best, so it is likely a motor will need a rework to make fitting one worthwhile. There are a few sponsors who are specialist engine builders and can give a better answer, may even call by and comment before long. It is Sunday!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 312
From: Out of Commiefornia!
Depends on whether your current cam is giving you what you're looking for. You wouldn't want to swap out your cams just for something new with the same specs - if it ain't broke, don't fix it!
If, however, you aren't happy with the performance and want to change in order to move the torque curve for instance, or get a higher performance cam set, then that would be a decent reason to plan an upgrade. You'll want to do LOTS of homework though, and try to sort out what you've currently got and what you're looking for in replacement as there are so many choices it is mind boggling. Unless it is a huge profile change, I'm not sure cam changes alone are going to satisfy and based on your stated specs above, I'd be surprised if they used a real mild cam when they did that build?
Cam swap isn't super expensive, but it isn't cheap either. I'm not sure you know enough about your current build to make an educated decision and may want to sort that out first?
Good luck!
Roger
If, however, you aren't happy with the performance and want to change in order to move the torque curve for instance, or get a higher performance cam set, then that would be a decent reason to plan an upgrade. You'll want to do LOTS of homework though, and try to sort out what you've currently got and what you're looking for in replacement as there are so many choices it is mind boggling. Unless it is a huge profile change, I'm not sure cam changes alone are going to satisfy and based on your stated specs above, I'd be surprised if they used a real mild cam when they did that build?
Cam swap isn't super expensive, but it isn't cheap either. I'm not sure you know enough about your current build to make an educated decision and may want to sort that out first?
Good luck!
Roger
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 213
Likes: 3
From: St. Cloud, MN
Thanks guys, I do realize id need to do lots of research and find out more specifics of what I'm actually running. Trouble is the guy that had the work done doesn't remember if he even upgraded cams when he did the heads. I couldn't believe he wouldn't have but it takes all kinds. It only has 8k on the motor so Im sure its all in good shape, runs like it is. It needs a good carb tune but I'm not great with that and have a hard time trusting any shops where I'm at, just moved to the area. My thoughts were that maybe cams have improved dramatically over the past years and I could unleash some cheap power. Everything I own ends up asking for me to tinker with it!
Supporter
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 13,870
Likes: 4,083
From: Taylortucky, MI
Depends on whether your current cam is giving you what you're looking for. You wouldn't want to swap out your cams just for something new with the same specs - if it ain't broke, don't fix it!
If, however, you aren't happy with the performance and want to change in order to move the torque curve for instance, or get a higher performance cam set, then that would be a decent reason to plan an upgrade. You'll want to do LOTS of homework though, and try to sort out what you've currently got and what you're looking for in replacement as there are so many choices it is mind boggling. Unless it is a huge profile change, I'm not sure cam changes alone are going to satisfy and based on your stated specs above, I'd be surprised if they used a real mild cam when they did that build?
Cam swap isn't super expensive, but it isn't cheap either. I'm not sure you know enough about your current build to make an educated decision and may want to sort that out first?
Good luck!
Roger
If, however, you aren't happy with the performance and want to change in order to move the torque curve for instance, or get a higher performance cam set, then that would be a decent reason to plan an upgrade. You'll want to do LOTS of homework though, and try to sort out what you've currently got and what you're looking for in replacement as there are so many choices it is mind boggling. Unless it is a huge profile change, I'm not sure cam changes alone are going to satisfy and based on your stated specs above, I'd be surprised if they used a real mild cam when they did that build?
Cam swap isn't super expensive, but it isn't cheap either. I'm not sure you know enough about your current build to make an educated decision and may want to sort that out first?
Good luck!
Roger
I've got it down to 2: Tman TR-555 or the Woods TW-555
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 837
Likes: 35
From: Northern California
Look like awefully similar cams to me. TR-555 exhaust valve closes a little later, but LSAs almost the same. Will a .555" lift cam work well on stock heads? I thought most bolt on guys were going with SE204s or Andrew 37s.
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