Cam Degree
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Cam Degree
I have an LT1 cam to put in my L03. Not sure how to degree it in without knowing the exact specs on it. Just wondering if I can use the comp cams degree wheel and verify that it is opening/closing the exhaust/intake valves where the degree wheel tells me it should? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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From: 51°N 114°W, 3500'
Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
Re: Cam Degree
Install it straight up. A degree wheel and a dial indicator will tell you if it's off or not compared to the cam card. Because chains will stretch, you may need to adjust the valve timing.
If you don't have a cam card telling you exactly when the valves open and closed, degreeing the cam will only tell you what it's currently doing, not what it should be doing. You degree a cam to see if it matches the specs on the cam card.
No cam card, install it straight up and hope for the best.
If you don't have a cam card telling you exactly when the valves open and closed, degreeing the cam will only tell you what it's currently doing, not what it should be doing. You degree a cam to see if it matches the specs on the cam card.
No cam card, install it straight up and hope for the best.
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Pittsburgh PA
Car: 89 Iroc-z
Engine: 555 BBC Turbo
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: MWC 9” 3.00
Re: Cam Degree
If you know durations and lift you can back calculate opening closing events. Desktop dyno had a cam feature that could do this and there were some online calculators out there. Cant find them at this moment however
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Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Philly, PA
Re: Cam Degree
I have never found stock specs to be reliable as far as opening and closing events. GM just seems to rate things a little differently than the aftermarket does.
Find the point of max intake lift and see if it's in the realm of sanity. Start with the standard 0* keyway on the timing chain. The LSA on a production line LT1 cam is something like 115*. So if the point of max intake lift is slightly less than that, the cam is advanced (which would be "normal" for most N/A SBC cams). I would think anywhere in the range of 110-114* max intake lift would be "in the ballpark". If it's 115* or higher it would be a little odd. Very few production cams are designed to be installed "retarded". The LS6 cam would be an exception, and I'm sure there are others. But see where it's at and use your brain to determine if it is in the realm of sanity. If it is, good. If not, start to dig a little deeper.
Find the point of max intake lift and see if it's in the realm of sanity. Start with the standard 0* keyway on the timing chain. The LSA on a production line LT1 cam is something like 115*. So if the point of max intake lift is slightly less than that, the cam is advanced (which would be "normal" for most N/A SBC cams). I would think anywhere in the range of 110-114* max intake lift would be "in the ballpark". If it's 115* or higher it would be a little odd. Very few production cams are designed to be installed "retarded". The LS6 cam would be an exception, and I'm sure there are others. But see where it's at and use your brain to determine if it is in the realm of sanity. If it is, good. If not, start to dig a little deeper.
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