Should We Choose Hi Performance Camshafts For Our Vehicles?
The purpose of changing factory engines to work with hi performance camshafts is to increase the horsepower. If you are considering changing stock parts of an engine for high performance ones, you must decide how far you want to go with the increase in power and how much performance in other areas you are willing to sacrifice.
Camshafts were used in ancient days to create movement in toys, to allow life size figurines to mystify kings and emperors, and to make idols seem alive. Most people are familiar with them as parts of an internal combustion engine, without realizing their history.
A camshaft is a spinning pole that opens and closes the intake and exhaust valves of an engine. On a four-cycle engine with a carburetor, the intake valves open to draw air and fuel into the cylinder, and close during the compression and combustion that produces power. The exhaust valves then must open to expel the used gases. A two-cycle engine works a little differently.
The camshaft is not self-contained, but gets gets its power from the crankshaft by way of a timing belt or chain or by gears. The ‘cams’ are irregularly shaped lobes that push on the valves to open them and then rotate away to allow them to be closed by spring action. The shaft is located in the head above the cylinders in most engines.
High performance cams are designed to increase horsepower, are made of heat hardened steel, and these days are designed by computers to allow the precise interaction of moving parts that maximizes performance. How long the valves are open (duration), how much overlap there is when both the intake and exhaust valves are open, how many of each kind of valve are being used, the relationship to compression ratio and engine displacement – all of these factors affect horsepower.
There must be careful matching of many factors when changing the cam, which regulates the whole power plant. The compression ratios must be compatible with the duration and the fuel delivery system. Cylinders heads may need to be milled for more volume, and the height of the lift of the head adjusted. Fortunately, there is much customer support from performance parts manufacturers to help people match all the related factors.
They also affect performance, which is a different matter. More duration means more power at medium to high RPMs, but may mean less torque at low RPM speeds. If you are thinking of all-out racing, you will want such modifications as solid cylinders and a gear driven cam if maximum horsepower is your goal.
Working with the manufacturing company’s experts can prevent problems and achieve the goal of an engine working at peak performance to get the most power when it is needed. There is a lot of basic guideline information to be found in the product descriptions on company websites. Performance magazines often have tips on deciding which cam will fit your needs best.
Hi performance camshafts can be used to build a powerful car, and can be used to increase horsepower in a modified stock car. Attention to every detail of the power plant will achieve either goal.
Looking to find the best place to get car engine parts, then you should visit enginefor.com where you’ll also find the best deals on hi performance camshafts.
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