As a website content creator at obd-de.com and a car repair specialist, I often encounter enthusiasts eager to boost their vehicle’s performance. You’ve probably heard the term “Car Cammed” thrown around in garages or online forums. But what exactly does it mean to “cam” a car, and is it the right upgrade for you? Let’s dive into the world of camshafts and performance enhancement.
High-performance cars, like this Mazda RX-7 drifting, often benefit from camshaft upgrades to enhance engine power and responsiveness.
Understanding Car Camming: More Than Just Engine Noise
“Camming a car” is essentially upgrading or modifying the camshaft within your engine. The camshaft is a critical component that dictates the valve lift and valve timing of your engine’s intake and exhaust valves. In simpler terms, it controls how much and how long these valves open and close during the engine’s combustion cycle.
Valve lift refers to how far the valves open, allowing air and fuel mixture to enter the cylinders and exhaust gases to exit. Valve timing is the duration the valves remain open. By altering these parameters through camshaft modification, we can significantly change how your engine breathes and performs.
Imagine the camshaft as the brain of your engine’s valve train. It’s a rotating shaft with egg-shaped lobes that push on the valves. As the camshaft spins – synchronized with the crankshaft at a 1:2 ratio via a timing chain or belt – these lobes dictate the precise opening and closing of the valves.
An exposed camshaft showcasing its lobes, which are crucial for controlling valve timing and lift in an internal combustion engine.
How Camming Boosts Horsepower
The core idea behind camming is to allow more air and fuel mixture into the combustion chamber and expel exhaust gases more efficiently. Performance camshafts are designed with different lobe profiles compared to stock camshafts. These profiles typically increase both valve lift and duration.
- Increased Valve Lift: Wider valve openings allow for a greater volume of air and fuel to enter the cylinder, leading to a more powerful combustion.
- Extended Valve Timing (Duration): Keeping the valves open for a longer period, especially at higher engine speeds (RPMs), maximizes airflow and improves cylinder filling and emptying.
This enhanced airflow translates directly to increased horsepower, particularly at mid to high RPM ranges. This is why “car cammed” vehicles are often associated with a more aggressive and powerful driving experience.
The Trade-offs: Downsides of Car Camming
While camming offers performance gains, it’s essential to understand the compromises involved. Modifying your camshaft isn’t a free horsepower upgrade; it comes with certain drawbacks:
- Reduced Low-End Torque: Performance camshafts, optimized for high-RPM power, can sometimes sacrifice low-end torque. This means your car might feel less responsive at lower speeds, which can affect daily driving and towing capabilities. The engine might need to rev higher to get into its power band.
- Lower Fuel Efficiency: Cammed engines often require a richer air-fuel mixture to compensate for the increased airflow and valve timing. This can lead to decreased fuel economy, as your engine consumes more fuel for the same distance.
- Idling Issues and “Lopey” Sound: Aggressive camshaft profiles can result in a rougher idle and the characteristic “lopey” or “choppy” engine sound that many enthusiasts find appealing. However, this uneven idle can sometimes be less refined for everyday driving.
- Potential for Engine Wear: Increased valve lift and more aggressive valve action can place additional stress on valve train components, potentially leading to increased wear over time if not properly addressed with supporting modifications like stronger valve springs.
- Emissions Concerns: Modifying the camshaft can affect your vehicle’s emissions output, potentially making it non-compliant with emissions regulations in your area.
Why Consider Camming Your Car? The Performance and Sound Factor
Despite the downsides, car camming remains a popular modification for several compelling reasons:
- Significant Horsepower Gains: A well-chosen performance camshaft can deliver a noticeable increase in horsepower, transforming your car’s acceleration and top-end performance. Gains of 45 horsepower or more are achievable, depending on the engine and supporting modifications.
- Enhanced Engine Sound: For many car enthusiasts, the aggressive, throaty sound of a cammed engine is a major draw. It adds a distinct character and auditory excitement to the driving experience, particularly in V6 and V8 engines often found in American muscle cars like Ford Mustangs, Chevrolet Corvettes, and Chevrolet Camaros.
American muscle cars, like this Ford Mustang GT performing a burnout, are frequently cammed to amplify their powerful engine sound and performance.
- Improved High-RPM Performance: If you frequently drive at higher RPMs, whether on the track or open roads, a cammed engine will excel in this range. The increased airflow and optimized valve timing are designed to maximize power when the engine is spinning faster.
Camshaft Failure: Understanding the Causes
While camshafts are durable components, they can fail over time or due to specific issues. Understanding the common causes of camshaft failure is crucial for maintenance and preventing problems:
- Timing Chain/Belt Issues: The timing chain or belt connects the crankshaft and camshaft, ensuring they rotate in sync. If the timing chain stretches or the belt breaks, it can disrupt valve timing, leading to engine damage and camshaft stress. Valve overlap, where both intake and exhaust valves are open simultaneously at the wrong time, can occur.
- Improper Lubrication: Camshaft lobes and valve lifters experience constant friction. Insufficient or contaminated engine oil can lead to excessive wear on the camshaft lobes and bearings, eventually causing failure.
- Loose Connecting Rods or Rotating Parts: In severe cases of engine damage, loose connecting rods or other internal components can strike the camshaft, causing cracks or breakage.
- Normal Wear and Tear: Like any engine component, camshafts have a lifespan. While they are designed to last a long time, typically around 130,000 kilometers or more, eventual wear and tear can lead to the need for replacement.
Proper installation and lubrication are critical when replacing a camshaft to ensure longevity and prevent premature wear.
Is Camming Your Car the Right Choice?
Deciding to “cam” your car is a balance between performance aspirations and practical considerations. It’s a modification best suited for enthusiasts who prioritize increased horsepower and a more aggressive engine sound, and are willing to accept the trade-offs in low-end torque and fuel economy.
Consider camming your car if:
- You want a noticeable boost in horsepower, especially at higher RPMs.
- You appreciate the aggressive sound of a performance engine.
- You primarily use your car for performance driving or events.
- You are prepared to address potential downsides like reduced fuel economy and low-end torque.
Camming might not be ideal if:
- You prioritize fuel efficiency and daily driving comfort.
- You need strong low-end torque for towing or city driving.
- You are concerned about emissions regulations.
- You are not prepared for the potential for increased engine noise and a rougher idle.
Car Camming: FAQs
Q: How much does it cost to cam my car?
A: The cost varies depending on the camshaft type, vehicle, and labor charges. Performance camshafts can range from $150 to $500 or more, and labor costs can add significantly to the total.
Q: Will camming my car make it sound different?
A: Yes, performance camshafts typically produce a more aggressive and “lopey” engine sound, especially at idle.
Q: What parts are involved in camming a car?
A: The main component is the camshaft itself. However, supporting modifications like valve springs, pushrods, and potentially ECU tuning may also be necessary.
Q: How much horsepower can camming add?
A: Horsepower gains can range from 45 HP upwards, depending on the engine, camshaft profile, and other modifications.
Q: Why do cammed cars perform better at high RPMs?
A: Performance camshafts are designed to optimize airflow and valve timing at higher engine speeds, maximizing power output in the mid to upper RPM range.
At obd-de.com, we are dedicated to providing you with expert insights into automotive performance and maintenance. Explore our website for more in-depth articles and guides to help you make informed decisions about your vehicle.
