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Solid flat tappet cam with stock efi

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Old Oct 20, 2014 | 10:47 PM
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Solid flat tappet cam with stock efi

Is anyone running a flat solid cam with a stock tpi efi computer?

I am running the computer compatible xfi280 flat tappet cam presently and looking for a bit more power.
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Old Oct 20, 2014 | 11:14 PM
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From: Bowdon, GA.
Car: 1988 Camaro
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Re: Solid flat tappet cam with stock efi

I have no experience with a mech. flat tappet cam in an EFI car, but I would think the knock sensor would pickup the cam's lash chatter and think it's detonation/ping and retard timing.
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Old Oct 21, 2014 | 08:00 AM
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Re: Solid flat tappet cam with stock efi

Think those sensors are tuned to pick up a specific frequency so it wouldnt pick up everything. Lash who knows. There are sensors that are a little dumbed down so to speak maybe someone how has done this can pipe in

Big fan of the way solids run.
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Old Oct 22, 2014 | 09:57 PM
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Re: Solid flat tappet cam with stock efi

Bump, anyone running a solid flat cam in an efi?

I don't want to go carb!
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Old Nov 24, 2014 | 01:13 PM
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Re: Solid flat tappet cam with stock efi

Bump!

Anyone running a solid flat or roller cam with EFI?
TPI computer or otherwise?
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Old Nov 24, 2014 | 01:29 PM
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Car: 1988 Formula
Engine: 421 Little M block
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Axle/Gears: 9" 4.30s, Wilwood discs, 28X10.5-15
Re: Solid flat tappet cam with stock efi

You answered your own question. The cam profile needs to be "computer compatible". You have to use a solid lifter cam with a profile that will not exceed the limitations of the stock ECM (emissions)

The knock sensor is tuned for specific frequency where knock occurs which is not same frequency as valvetrain noise.

I do not know of ANY solid lifter cam that will work in a OEM setup, pass smog and not make the "service engine soon light" stay on .

Aftermarket EFI is another matter since there is no OBD / ODBII smog test.

These cars are old enough that you can get a smog waiver if it's not a daily driver. Otherwise you are stuck using CARB certified parts to pass the smog testing in your area.
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Old Nov 24, 2014 | 01:34 PM
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Re: Solid flat tappet cam with stock efi

I'm not too concerned about passing smog tests, we dont have them here.

But I can't find any solid cam(roller or flat) that is computer compatible.

So I'm asking if anyone has tried running one with a stock EFI computer?
Or is it just too hard to tune? and not worth the effort.
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Old Nov 24, 2014 | 01:44 PM
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From: IL
Car: 1988 Formula
Engine: 421 Little M block
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Axle/Gears: 9" 4.30s, Wilwood discs, 28X10.5-15
Re: Solid flat tappet cam with stock efi

Originally Posted by LB9GTA
I'm not too concerned about passing smog tests, we dont have them here.

But I can't find any solid cam(roller or flat) that is computer compatible.

So I'm asking if anyone has tried running one with a stock EFI computer?
Or is it just too hard to tune? and not worth the effort.
it wont' work (well) because the cam profile exceeds the parameters of the ECM.. you may not care about smog... the ECM does.. LOL

if you can reprogram the stock ECM have at it.. or go with an aftermarket system. There are plenty of race cars with solid roller cams and EFI..
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Old Nov 24, 2014 | 04:08 PM
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Re: Solid flat tappet cam with stock efi

Try sending tuned performance or rbob a private message asking this. Stock and modified ecm is there bread and butter, they have made and helped countless people.
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Old Nov 27, 2014 | 09:51 PM
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From: Spokane WA
Car: 92 Lingenfelter Z28 articwhite
Engine: Aluminum 615BBC
Transmission: Th400wbrake/curri entps9" locker
Axle/Gears: 4.11/4.30/4.56
Re: Solid flat tappet cam with stock efi

just takes a tune to have the knock sensor retared 0
and to the profile of the cam..its what Lingenfelter did to my car..

my camaro has always run a mech roller.. and the new eng is also a mech roller..just a tad under 620 lift and ballpark of 250@50..but its also almost 430cid. it's easy..
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Old Dec 4, 2014 | 03:55 PM
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Car: '87 Flame Red/Carmine Red GTA
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Re: Solid flat tappet cam with stock efi

I don't know how advanced these knock-detection systems are, but most of them detect certain frequencies and only at certain times. It knows when to expect knock. Just saying, if knock sensors are picking up mechanical noise, you have an old or crappy EFI computer. Hell, even with OBDII it became standard to sense how fast the crank should move after firing a cylinder, and they even factor in load, and if it's too slow you get a misfire code.
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Old Dec 5, 2014 | 07:41 AM
  #12  
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From: IL
Car: 1988 Formula
Engine: 421 Little M block
Transmission: TH400 w/brake
Axle/Gears: 9" 4.30s, Wilwood discs, 28X10.5-15
Re: Solid flat tappet cam with stock efi

Detonation aka Knocking has a very specific sound frequency which has been proved in the OEM's dyno rooms and proving grounds for decades.
Engine "noise" (valvetrain, rockers, etc all emit different frequencies)

The early knock sensors were tuned for this "detonation frequency" so when it was "heard" by the sensor the ECM pulled timing until the "noise" was gone, simple & effective.

The problem lies with aggressive cam profiles that throw off the ECMs smog control, timing, & fuel parameters so much that the stock ECM cannot "self tune".

You have to modify the stock ECM or go aftermarket.
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