Dilemma ! Which Cams Should I Go For, For My New Engine

[Shevy 4]

Well, after spending the day at FCS on Sunday, I managed to catch up with Matt Sav

to discuss further the final spec of my new engine.

I have now agreed with him I am having solid lifters fitted but he managed to throw in one more decision to be made and that is the final cam spec.

The 2 catcams on offer are the 4913551 and 4913552

The 4913551 will drop straight in and I shouldnt need any further uprated components but if I go for the 4913552 I will need to uprate the rods to some forged items, which is obviously additional cost on what Im already spending.

But, it seems a shame to fit solid lifters and not make really good use of the stronger valve train.

The only big worry I have is although my car will see a lot of track use it will still be used on the road at weekends and may do 2000/3000 road miles a year.

Matt thinks the 4913552 will start to come on cam at 4,000 rpm and run round to 8500 + rpm !! Im just a little concerned it will be undriveable on the road.

Where as the 4913551 will be more driveable and obviously cheaper for me to run as I wont need Forged rods.

 

What do people think ? I want to agree my final engine spec with Matt this week.

[Batfink 201]

i think if its a road car the bigger cam will be a little too wild

[Rippthrough 98]

Either are going to be a bit of a handfull on the road, your going to have to keep the engine spinning even with the softer one, so I'd go the whole hog and have damn good fun on the track.

[James_R 3]

Doesn't matter what the cams are, it's the mapping that counts, all you'll get is a flat feeling, no rocking judeergin or anythign like that, smooth, just no power which means drop a gear, that's all, very much like driving a std clio 16v, nothing under 4k, just no go, nothing dramatic.

[petert 587]

If in doubt, always choose the smaller grind. I don't see why new rods are mandatory. Even if you fit new rod bolts, and have a solid set up that allows you to rev to 8000 as a reliable limit, you're way in front of the pack in terms of reliabilty.