Recommend Me a Cam

[jimmysprinkle]

Alright guys, I've ordered everything for my Powerdyne/L26 motor rebuild, except fo the cam. My setup will be a Series 3 L26 with the slightly larger valves, a DIY P&P, Powerdyne at 9psi, and a small shot of nitrous with methonal injection coming soon. Thinner MLS Head gaskets bump compression up to 9.55:1.

I have mod'd comp retainers and viton seals, so I'm good to .580 lift wise, however, I've been told not to push it past .550.

I've been debating between the Intense S2 blower cam, or he ZZP XP cam.
Here's the specs
xp's specs 212/224 .520/.536 116
intense s2 214/222 .531/.541 115

I'm also more than willing to try a custom grind, but while I know what the specs mean and affect, I have no idea as to how these specs should be tweaked to tailor to my specific mods.

Anybody feel like helping me create a custom grind? I'd be more than willing to post up my results should we create a beastly cam.

[ssms5411]

Re: Recommend Me a Cam

With the VS cam 206/216 115LS, I lost 2 PSI from the boost gauge , so running even more of a bigger cam I would think you would lose more. 9 PSI the internal belt won't hold up long and you'll be doing rebuilds alot on it. The Ceramic Bearings seemed to hold hold good just the belt speed was the issue, either snapping or slipping off the shafts. I would leave the stock cam and add nitrous for the extra power. Or run 6-7 PSI with a cam and nitrous for extra power. Just like Shirl did stock cam PD at 6PSI and a 100 wet shot of nitrous runniing 11's. I try and warm people about running too much PSI with the PD and what happens , some want to argue saying their running Air to water intercooler will fix the problem and don't care about HP #'s which is BS and then suddenly stop their project(I wonder why.LOL) and some listen and they will save money in the long run. So its up to you if you want to spend alot of money.

[dgreet77]

Re: Recommend Me a Cam

I have also been wondering about what a good cam would be for the PD later on down the road. My setup will be 6-7 psi so I don't want a cam that would eat boost.

If I knew more about cams I would definitely be game for helping you design a custom grind. But I doubt I would be much help with my limited amount of knowledge....

My only other thought would be try a larger NA cam and see if it ate boost or not...I know you might not make as much power as a blower cam with a smaller number on the gauge, but for peace of mind might be nice....

[caspernicus]

Re: Recommend Me a Cam

The reason it'll make less boost with a cam is because the motor
is moving the air more efficiently. There's less resistance to the
airflow,which is a good thing. The same or more power, with less
boost.

[jimmysprinkle]

Re: Recommend Me a Cam

I do know that it's valve overlap which bleeds off boost (overlap is how long the intake and exaust valves are both open for). Overlap is good in NA, since it scavenges air, but it just bleeds boost in FI, which is why I can'tuse my Abbott NA cam.

I'm trying to stay away from nitrous, at least the big shots. I consistantly sprayed 100 wet shot for over 14 bottles, but it eventually popped the engine. Also, I don't have a 6psi pulley, only the 9psi. I think I'm going to stick wih the 9psi now, not becuase I won't heed your advice, but because the unit was freashly rebuilt, and I think it'll last at least a few months untill I'll have the money to finish my car completely. If it pops, I'll rebuild it and drop a pulley size.

[jimmysprinkle]

Re: Recommend Me a Cam

The reason it'll make less boost with a cam is because the motor
is moving the air more efficiently. There's less resistance to the
airflow,which is a good thing. The same or more power, with less
boost.

Hmm, this makes sense. It's not about how much boost you run, but how much air you can flow. You're right, boost is a measure of resistance.

Here's the deal, I'm going out of state from July 31st to August 4th. I go to college August 20th. I'd like to order my parts in the next 3 days, so they'll be here when I come home. I'm leaning towards the XP, since it's readily available, and has been tried and proven to make some good numbers.

[ssms5411]

Re: Recommend Me a Cam

The 9PSI pulley might be fine, The VS cam I made some good #'s but once heated up it dropped really fast so if you run the methanol you'll be better off. I wish I would of upgraded my springs to Comp 105 LBS , I was having valve flat at 5700 RPMS. If your in a cooler state you might be better off also. Everyone says they have good results with the XP so it would be worth a try. Good luck.

[jimmysprinkle]

Re: Recommend Me a Cam

Much thanks. I'm either getting the XP or a custom one. I'm in talks with a guy who specializes in 3.8Ls who might be able to make me a great cam for about the same price.