Tech / General Engine Is your car making a strange sound or won't start? Thinking of adding power with a new combination? Need other technical information or engine specific advice? Don't see another board for your problem? Post it here!
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

Camshaft Calculator...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 12:50 PM
  #1  
Rocket-Doc's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 376
Likes: 1
From: Romeoville ,Il.
Car: 1990 RS/SS modified
Engine: 355ci, 113 heads, LT4 hotcam
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.73 Eaton posi
Camshaft Calculator...

hey guys I've searched over and over but i can't find the thread for the camshaft calc, can anyone give me a hand?
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 12:55 PM
  #2  
Apeiron's Avatar
Moderator
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 20,981
Likes: 11
From: Mercedes Norte, Heredia, Costa Rica
Car: 1984 Z28 Hardtop
Engine: 383 Carb
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.54 Dana 44
Re: Camshaft Calculator...

What do you mean by "camshaft calculator"?
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 01:09 PM
  #3  
sweetaq's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento CA
Car: 1982 Z28
Engine: 385ci w/carb
Transmission: TH350 w/3200ish Stall
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt :( 3.23 gears w/ posi
Re: Camshaft Calculator...

Do you mean a calc that tells you what cam to run? If so keep reading, if not then please ignore me completely.

If you want to use a comp cam go to there website and and download camquest. You put in your setup and it gives you several cams that would work for you. It is just meant to be a guide though. If you posted your setup someone might be able to help you out on these boards.
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 03:53 PM
  #4  
Rocket-Doc's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 376
Likes: 1
From: Romeoville ,Il.
Car: 1990 RS/SS modified
Engine: 355ci, 113 heads, LT4 hotcam
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.73 Eaton posi
Re: Camshaft Calculator...

Somewhere on this board is the mathematical equations for choosing the "proper" camshaft...
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 03:55 PM
  #5  
Apeiron's Avatar
Moderator
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 20,981
Likes: 11
From: Mercedes Norte, Heredia, Costa Rica
Car: 1984 Z28 Hardtop
Engine: 383 Carb
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.54 Dana 44
Re: Camshaft Calculator...

There aren't any mathematical equations for choosing the proper camshaft.
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 04:39 PM
  #6  
sweetaq's Avatar
Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento CA
Car: 1982 Z28
Engine: 385ci w/carb
Transmission: TH350 w/3200ish Stall
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt :( 3.23 gears w/ posi
Re: Camshaft Calculator...

I think Cam quest will give you what you are looking for. If you what I still have the setup file and will email it to you if you like. It will give you choices depending on motor, heads, type of intake manifold, weight, power added, exhaust, fuel delivery, and rpm range. It even gives you a projected power curve If you don't want a comp cam then you would at least get a idea of the duration, lsa, and lift you need to look for.
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 04:47 PM
  #7  
Rocket-Doc's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 376
Likes: 1
From: Romeoville ,Il.
Car: 1990 RS/SS modified
Engine: 355ci, 113 heads, LT4 hotcam
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.73 Eaton posi
Re: Camshaft Calculator...

Ok well maybe it isn't on here, but on a forum, and I thought it was this one, there is a set of equations that help figure the best lift and duration configuration for a said set of motor specifications.

I thought it was TGO but maybee I was wrong...
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 04:47 PM
  #8  
Orr89RocZ's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,895
Likes: 429
From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: MWC 9” 3.00
Re: Camshaft Calculator...

well there kinda is some math that can choose the proper camshaft for a given motor but i dont have that math. Custom cam grinders i'm sure have this knowledge I know there are engine simulation programs in the 300-500 dollar range that you can play with a ton of variables to analyze how the motor will make power and flow air.

I can imagine its extensive. To develop a camshaft, one needs to analyze flow dynamics of the intake manifold and heads. You will need to know the flow numbers they produce and lift range of the heads. You need alot of information such as wave harmonics calculations for your intake, and velocity the air charge carries into the ports.

You will need to know basic information such as cubic inches, possibly rod length, bore size, static compression ratio, vehicle weight/gearing etc, and generaly performance goals you have in mind. This will be used to determine camshaft characteristics to best suit your needs for your particular combo.

Once you know how the motor will be flowing air, you can calculate optimum valve events and duration the cam will need. Lift is basically pretty easy, you want to keep it near peak lift of the head if not alittle higher than peak flow. The intake opening poing and closing point both will help determine duration of the cam and where the powerband will be. Exhaust opening and closing point need to coincide with those numbers to keep cylinder pressure at its highest point and help expel spent exhaust gases from the cylinder based on the heads port flow rates and the exhaust sytem you will be running.

Intake opening and exhaust closing will help determine camshaft overlap. Higher rpm power goals will need more overlap, and hence tighter LSA.

I TOO am eager to find these equations and to better my knowledge of camshaft design. I went custom cam for my HSR 383 build and I'm looking into how the grinder may have came up with the specs. If i dont like this cam or want more power later, i want to beable to make my own grind
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 06:14 PM
  #9  
Apeiron's Avatar
Moderator
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 20,981
Likes: 11
From: Mercedes Norte, Heredia, Costa Rica
Car: 1984 Z28 Hardtop
Engine: 383 Carb
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.54 Dana 44
Re: Camshaft Calculator...

Originally Posted by Orr89RocZ
I TOO am eager to find these equations and to better my knowledge of camshaft design.
Have I got a book for you, then.
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 06:20 PM
  #10  
Apeiron's Avatar
Moderator
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 20,981
Likes: 11
From: Mercedes Norte, Heredia, Costa Rica
Car: 1984 Z28 Hardtop
Engine: 383 Carb
Transmission: 4L60
Axle/Gears: 3.54 Dana 44
Re: Camshaft Calculator...

Originally Posted by Rocket-Doc
Ok well maybe it isn't on here, but on a forum, and I thought it was this one, there is a set of equations that help figure the best lift and duration configuration for a said set of motor specifications.
What you're looking for doesn't really exist. You could use systems of dozens of equations to model the engine and then optimize chosen variables including cam timing, or you could use off-the-shelf software to do it for you. Unless you're planning on having a custom grind done, it's a lot easier to pick a cam out of the catalog.
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 08:06 PM
  #11  
Orr89RocZ's Avatar
Supreme Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,895
Likes: 429
From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: MWC 9” 3.00
Re: Camshaft Calculator...

Originally Posted by Apeiron
Have I got a book for you, then.
I'm sure there are some great resources out there, i just havent looked yet. What do you have in mind?
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2008 | 12:53 PM
  #12  
Rocket-Doc's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 376
Likes: 1
From: Romeoville ,Il.
Car: 1990 RS/SS modified
Engine: 355ci, 113 heads, LT4 hotcam
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 3.73 Eaton posi
Re: Camshaft Calculator...

I found what I was looking for, it was the calculation for duration based on port flow...

Didnt mean to confuse...
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Bubbajones_ya
Cooling
24
Jul 6, 2024 08:32 PM
db057
TBI
14
Apr 28, 2019 07:45 AM
PurelyPMD
Camaros for Sale
27
May 5, 2016 04:57 PM
88SS6SPEED
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
7
Nov 11, 2015 07:05 AM
GTAman
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
4
Sep 26, 2015 02:01 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:41 PM.