I was ready to go to the track and decided to check valve lash and found that I wiped a lobe . Took top half of motor apart and no. 7 was gone. Cam was a solid FT Im now going with a Hydr. roller. My eng. bldr. recomends a billet cam. What are the advantages or disadvantages of a billet. I notice that they cost more but are they better not only in strengh but better performing than the same cam non-billet?
Billet cams
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I would guess that they also flex less with higher spring loads. Crower looks like there standard cores are iron, Isky looks the same. They dont seem to have issues like Comp, but probably sell a small fraction of what Comp does, so the #'s are skewed.
I'd go billet, why not? How about a SR cam? Get yourself 600HP...that M21/950hp/Eddy'd will love it!
I'd go billet, why not? How about a SR cam? Get yourself 600HP...that M21/950hp/Eddy'd will love it!
Aukai
Good, I would like something stronger so if it lessens the chance of cam failures then it is worth it.
Vince
My eng. bldr. likes Comp so thats what we will use. As far as a SR, I only go to the track 4 or 5 times a year and drive it on the street almost everyday so with the oiling problem that exist with street driving a SR, I don't think it is practical.
HP wise, I'm at 586 now and I hope with the HR and increased duration there might be a few more ponies to have.
The M-21 is not going to like the HP figures, the 950 hp and the eddys might be ok with it. This isn't the 468 in my sig. I stroked it to a 498ci and the FT cam was 3 years old that went into this combo from the old combo.
Thanks for the replies, I was just wondering if there was any real performance value in a billet cam.
Good, I would like something stronger so if it lessens the chance of cam failures then it is worth it.
Vince
My eng. bldr. likes Comp so thats what we will use. As far as a SR, I only go to the track 4 or 5 times a year and drive it on the street almost everyday so with the oiling problem that exist with street driving a SR, I don't think it is practical.
HP wise, I'm at 586 now and I hope with the HR and increased duration there might be a few more ponies to have.
The M-21 is not going to like the HP figures, the 950 hp and the eddys might be ok with it. This isn't the 468 in my sig. I stroked it to a 498ci and the FT cam was 3 years old that went into this combo from the old combo.
Thanks for the replies, I was just wondering if there was any real performance value in a billet cam.
only if you think having all the lobes still on the cam helps power. 
seriously, do a google search or even a search here on "cast iron roller cam" and check the results.
Does anybody still have the thread where Comp recommended a softer spring for the cast iron version of a well known lobe that had a stiffer spring for the steel version?
seriously, do a google search or even a search here on "cast iron roller cam" and check the results.
Does anybody still have the thread where Comp recommended a softer spring for the cast iron version of a well known lobe that had a stiffer spring for the steel version?
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Actually, cast cams have very little flex, just like cast cranks. One of the problems with 86XX series steel is that it does twist. That is one of the main reasons to go to a larger diameter base circle. Bill Jenkins used to use non-relieved cams, meaning there was no undercut between the lobes, to get rid of some of the effects of twisting. However, if it doesn't twist, it can snap in half. So the roller cams are made springy in the center and hard on the outside wear surface. The hardness of roller cams only goes about .060"-.125" deep, but the outer hardness is over 55 Rockwell "C". That's why when you have a roller cam reground, it can't be changed too much, or the case hardening will be ground away. Don't ask how I know that.
A solid roller cam is a real bargain at $350. I'm sure UDHarold will agree. There is a lot of labor that goes into a SR cam. A "billet" cam will never wear out. Get one of those!
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Thanks Ken. I do think that one of the best deals out there is the Voodoo cams: billet cores, and the Everwear distrib. gear for about 275.00. How can you beat that?
Rumor has it though that these may not be billet anymore as standard equip. Hopefully somebody can comment.
From what I heard from Lunati a few weeks ago, they are now charging $30 extra for a billet cam with the EverWear Gear. Price increase from the manufacturer, CMC.
For this extra charge, you get an 8660 steel billet core, with the EverWear Gear option that allows you to use a stock distributor gear instead of a Bronze gear.
I have used these in over 600+ CID BBC engines with no problem.
The low-cost VooDoo cam may get you an iron core similar to the -8 Comp Cams one.
They told me nothing about this until a customer told me. Then I verified it.
UDHarold
For this extra charge, you get an 8660 steel billet core, with the EverWear Gear option that allows you to use a stock distributor gear instead of a Bronze gear.
I have used these in over 600+ CID BBC engines with no problem.
The low-cost VooDoo cam may get you an iron core similar to the -8 Comp Cams one.
They told me nothing about this until a customer told me. Then I verified it.
UDHarold
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There is more than one kind of steel cam.
Standard forged steel, great for probably 90% of hydraulic rollers and milder solid rollers. It is forged but not cut completely from a cylindrical billet/blank of steel. These are OEM hydraulic rollers, too.
Billet steel, good for all the rest.
Standard forged steel, great for probably 90% of hydraulic rollers and milder solid rollers. It is forged but not cut completely from a cylindrical billet/blank of steel. These are OEM hydraulic rollers, too.
Billet steel, good for all the rest.
Tom
Yes I do think staying on the lobe is good because drove for a short time with 7 cyls. and it wasn't fun. For that kind of insurance with the billet, it's worth it.
This cam is coming with a Everwear type gear. It is good not to have to worry about the gears.
Thanks fellas, I feel good about the billet.
Yes I do think staying on the lobe is good because drove for a short time with 7 cyls. and it wasn't fun. For that kind of insurance with the billet, it's worth it.
This cam is coming with a Everwear type gear. It is good not to have to worry about the gears.
Thanks fellas, I feel good about the billet.
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