Hi All! ! !

Im trying to choose a camshaft for my 3.1l camaro and I ran across a mechanical cam that will do some extreme mid and upper rpm power, perfect for my twin turbo plan. However, I remember when I was building my sbc that everyone said stay away from mech, only get hydrualic. WHY?~ What's the deal? Isn't it just as simple as installing a Hyd flat tappet cam? I speak from alittle experience now that I have done my first project. Could someone tell me what am I in for if I do mech cam?

 

For high rpm power I use nothing but solid cams. Before I toned down my 383 with a hydraulic roller set-up, I was using a solid flat tappet cam shifting at almost 8k. I checked valve lash, but hardly ever had to adjust it.

 

So you never have tomaintain or just the mechanical cam, is that normal to have to keep ajusting, or is it suppose to maintenance free? I want to drive on the streets with the car as well, would I have to keep going in and checking lash?

 

Yes, with a solid lifter cam you need to periodically set the lash. How often depends on how much you drive it.

 

Yes, you will eventually have to adjust the lash. How often is not just determined by how much you drive it, but more importantly HOW you drive it. I drove my 383 mainly on the street and I never had to re-set the lash before I yanked it in favor of a roller cam. I did take it to the track a few times which is the only times it ever saw over 7k rpm. Typically with the solid cams, When it gets really noisy and you notice it's not quite as responsive and powerful as it used to be.....it's time to reset your valve lash.

 

Excellegions, Apeiron is one of the most knowledgeable people on this site and is right on with his reply. The last solid lifter 383 I had required frequent adjustments because I drove the car hard and often.

 

Correctly adjusted poly-locks and a stud girdle can really help extend the interval before adjustments are needed.

Lets clear something up here first - are you talking about a solid flat tappet cam or solid roller cam?

A solid cam will make more power with the same drawbacks as a hydraulic cam (same big cam feel, but more power). You can get more upper end HP, and faster ramp rates overall.
For a turbo app this may not be what you want. You're using boost for HP, not RPM, so you don't need a solid.

Side note - Turbocharged car - easy to get to valves to reset lash or not? Yea, think about that one for a bit. If it's not worth the hassle, leave it be

 

All you guys making very good sence! I really dont feel like having to have to go and set lash repeatedly. Especially when the turbo piping will run right over the valve covers. Sticking with Hydrualic Flat Tappet. Biggest I found has a Duration of 272 Init. 284 Exh. and a valve lift .454 Int. .480 exh. Good for hp up to 5400 rpm. No 8K rpm shifting for me. We'll see how much I can get out of this 3.1L. Thanks All !!!!