Sportsman Bracket Drag Racing Basics
Building Your Own Motor
Camshaft
Moving on to the Camshaft. The Camshaft is the Heart of the Motor. The Camshaft opens and closes the Valves, via Lifters, Pushrods and Rocker Arms. There are 4 kinds of Camshafts available. Any one of these can be used for Sportsman Bracket Drag Racing. NOTE: Some Motor Blocks may have to be Modified to use a Roller Camshaft.
Hydraulic Lifter Cam -- Uses Hydraulic Lifters
*These Cams are found in most Production Motors into the 80s
Solid Lifter Cam-------- Uses Solid Lifters
*These cans were used in Performance Motors into the 80s
In the 80s most Automakers were building Motors with Roller Camshafts, the reason for this is there is less Friction, meaning more Horsepower.
Hydraulic Roller Cam - Uses Hydraulic Roller Lifters
*These Cams are used in most Production and Performance Motors from the 80s on.
Solid Roller Cam-------- Uses Solid Roller Lifters
*These Cams are Used in Very High Performance Motors
In general, you get more Horsepower out of a Solid Lifter Cam than a Hydraulic Lifter Cam and you get more Horsepower out of a Roller Lifter Cam than a Regular Lifter Cam.
There are many Camshaft Manufactures to choose from. You can get someone to grind a special Cam for you if you can afford to have this done. There are 2 basic things about a Cam Profile you need to Know, they are Lift and Duration. Lift is how high the cam will lift the Valve Lifters, in turn pushing the Valves into the Cylinders, via Rocker Arms. Duration is how long the Valves are open. The Longer the Valves are Open and the deeper into the Cylinders the Valves are pushed, The more Horsepower you will get out of your Motor. It is Highly Recommended that you contact a Camshaft Manufacturer for their recommendation on a Camshaft for you Motor.
