hey guys,

i'm going with a comp cams part# 08-502-8 (that's just for the cam itself) and i see there are different kits each containing the cam and different additional parts. question is: do i really need those extra parts? can i get away with just using the cam or do i really need to buy the timing chain set, lifters, pushrods, springs, spring seats, spring locks and etc...

Thank you in advance!

 

is your old **** original? how many miles? I would definitely do the timing set while your in there, since you have to remove it anyways. same for the lifters and pushrods, get some fresh comp hydraulics in there! the springs and related components is a pretty big job with the heads still on the engine. you can do the whole cam job now, and feel quite a bit of performance, the springs can be done later without touching any of the parts required to replace the cam, unlike the timing set and hydraulic lifters.

 

thanks for the response, traviZ. I'm buying a rebuilt engine and contacted comp cams via email for cam recommendations. so since the rest of the valve train will be new do i still have to replace everything else? can the regular valve springs be used on the new cam? i apologize if i'm asking stupid questions, i just want to make sure of everything.

 

biggest thing is to make sure your valve springs are good for the overall lift it will see using your newfound cam
Also, if your engine is rebuilt, see if your timing set is a double roller, if not, I would invest in one. and what quality are the hydraulic lifters in the rebuilt engine? keep that in mind too.. Comp makes very good lifters.
Your pushrods will probably be fine.

 

great! so just to clarify, the minimum is should get with the cam would be valve springs with locks seats and seals, double roller timing set, and lifters (if not good quality)?everything else is good? i'll ask the shop too and compare what they say.

 

right, except you dont need valve springs w/ lock seats and seals, unless your current rebuilt engine springs arent up to the task of the cams lift. (dont forget to multiply your cam lift by your rocker arm ratio. )

this is assuming your rebuilt engine came with new springs.

 

ah ha! thank you for the insight! this i definitely didn't know. i'll have to ask. I know everything is new. However, i don't know if the springs are up for the lift. are the stock spring usually ok for it?

 

also do i calculate valve lift or lobe lift by the rocker ratio? i'm guessing valve lift?

 

according to your cam specs, on summitracing.com, it advertises:

"Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio 0.495 int./0.503 exh. lift"
so thats with 1.5 rocker arms. your valve springs need to be good for at least .550 lift in my opinion for some play room. Valve springs are typically sold with advertised lift in .050 increments like .500 .550 .600 etc..
stock cams only tapped a little over .400 lift so I doubt a stock replacement valve spring is going to be good for that cam, but I cant say for sure. Like you said, check with your engine builder.