i understand duration, lift, centerpoint, lsa so all of the basics of cams i just dont get what .050 is a representation of? I assume that its a representation of lift but why .050 if your starting around .004-7 and it goes all the way to .5** isnt .050 really low for comparing anything???

 

.050" is a good reference point for the beginning of meaningful lift. Anything less is just a leak. So, cam duration as far as it affects how much power the engine will make and at what RPMs, is measured in the number of degrees from where the valve opens that far, through peak lift, and to where it reaches that opening on its way back closed again. All cams have at least .050" of lift; it's not used for comparing that.

 

i get it....was wondering what the significance of .050 was but what you said makes sense.

 

What RB says usually does make sense. Except for that thing about the "whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles during" - oh, wait, that was someone else, I think...