[El33tist]

What are they, what do they do, what kind of aftermarket options are there for them?

[itschristorres8]

http://www.rehermorrison.com/images/...n/Camshaft.jpg

is a camshaft
on our cars and all other OHV(over head valve) motors the camshaft is located in the block between the V
rides and circular cam bearings with drilled holes so oil can get to it and lubricate it

the camshaft opens and closes the valves in your cylinder heads
in a OHV motor also known as push rod motors lifters ride onthe camshaft
as you can see in the picture the camshaft and circular and ovalish looking parts...the oval looking part is called cam lobe. theres a circular part that when the lifter rides on that the valves are shut. not letting air in or out

when the raise section comes up that lifts up the lifter, which lifts up the push rods, the push rod then lifts up one side of the rocker arm and just like a see-saw the other side of the rocker arm must go down in-turn pushing down on the valve.

what makes the valve go back up?
valve springs, the valve springs push the valve back up so it does not stay open and rides smoothly along the cam

proper valve spring choice(tension) is important to much tension will wear the cam lobes prematurely


getting a performance camshaft will usually increase the lift and how long the lift is
a longer or taller lift will allow more air in
the longer the duration of the lift the longer the valve stays open allowing air to enter or exit

regrind camshafts basically grinds the camshaft lobes to a desired spec. now witha regrind longer push rods are needed to make up for whats been grinded down

a new cam will let you keep the stock push rods but whose to say they're strong enough?
new camshaft uses most likely a stock diameter lobe and just increases lift/duration over stock specs for more power

[itschristorres8]

things to upgrade with a camshaft
rocker arms and valve springs
a good idea to replace
push rods
lifters and timing chain and tensioner to avoid having to do it in the future

[El33tist]

bit beyond my know-how at the moment. I want to go to college for automotive technology at st phillip's here in s.a...
I've decided just to go with a 4.2L setup.
I've got it on good word that I can run w/ a 5.0 if I can just find a 4.2L engine to get parts off of...

[dgt_mustang]

.......run with a 5.0 with a 4.2 setup.....is there something in addition to the motor cause i doubt a 4.2 with just basic mods will.

[itschristorres8]

maybe a fully built 4.2L
depends what 5.0 your talking about
bone stock yeah you'll crush it
h/c/i no n/a 4.2L can keep up with a h/c/i 5.0 in a n/a vs n/a race