Valves allow the air/fuel mixture to enter the engine and the exhaust to exit the engine. As the camshaft rotates, lobes push against the valves, causing them to open. Springs on the valves return them to their closed position. This critical job significantly impacts an engine’s performance at various speeds.
This blog will teach you about how the camshaft affects engine performance.
● Lift
One of the most fundamental functions of the camshaft is to convert its rotating motion into linear motion or lift. This is accomplished on a typical Chevy V-8 with 16 lobes, all of which have been ground to an eccentric shape known as a lobe to allow each lifter to rise and fall above a base circle. The valve, or gross lift, is typically referred to in a camshaft catalogue and is calculated by multiplying the lobe lift by the rocker arm ratio.
● Duration
Camshaft duration is the amount of crankshaft rotation that occurs as the cam lobe moves the lifter away from the base circle. It is measured in crankshaft degrees to make it easier to degree the cam to ensure it is correctly positioned in the engine. It can be challenging to determine the precise point at which the lobe begins to move, the lifter off of the base circle, so most camshaft manufacturing companies in India use a standardised checking point to reference lift.
● Lifters
Camshaft lifters are available in hydraulic flat-tappet, solid flat-tappet, hydraulic roller, and solid roller configurations. The hydraulic flat-tappet is the most commonly used. It’s quiet operation and availability with virtually all camshaft profiles designed for either pure stock operation or very high-performance applications operating at around 6,500 rpm. Once an excellent hydraulic lifter has been appropriately adjusted, it usually stays adjusted due to a valve-controlled plunger inside the lifter that maintains a preload from engine oil pressure.
● Single And Dual Patterns Camshafts
If you’ve ever looked at a cam card, you’ve probably noticed that some cams have the same specs for both the intake and exhaust, while others don’t. A dual-pattern camshaft generally provides more exhaust duration to improve the flow of a cylinder head exhaust port that would otherwise be inadequate.
● Intake Centerline
The centerline specification of the cam is used to determine the position of the lobes on both the cam and the engine. The position of the intake lobe centerline relative to the top dead centre on piston number one is usually indicated by an intake centerline number, which most cam companies include.
● Separation
The distance or spacing between the intake and exhaust lobe centerlines is the lobe separation angle (LSA). This is in camshaft degrees rather than crankshaft degrees. This is an essential dimension because it determines how much overlap exists between the intake and exhaust. Unlike the intake centerline, the lobe separation angle can only be selected when the cam is ground.
A variety of factors determines the best camshaft. You should consider a camshaft with a shorter duration and relative lift if you drive your car daily. Most camshaft manufacturing companies in India provide extensive assistance in matching the best cam to the driving or racing you do. If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, remember to match the rest of your engine and vehicle to your cam selection.