Only one?

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Tunerguy21

Tunerguy21

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Tunerguy21
Why is it that when people modify a V8, they only put one cam?* You hear all the time "I put a mild cam in it" or "It has a big cam." Why only one, and does one bank have to make do without a cam? This may be just my symmetry OCD kicking in, but if you have two cylinder banks, why would you not have (at least) one on each? I honestly don't get it, and would love an explaination. Hope I don't sound too thick. :D

*This obviously doesn't count for everyone. Talking mainly about American street/strip or full-on drag V8s. (hope I explained that right)
 
Because old pushrod V8 engines only use one camshaft, unlike new, overhead cam V8's which use either 2 or 4 camshafts (one or 2 for each cylinder bank). On a pushrod style engine, both cylinder banks operate off one centrally located camshaft.

Here's a basic labeled diagram for a pushrod style engine.



nascar-spring-02-0212-de.jpg
 
Two words. Push, Rod.

V8%20Engine%20X-section%202.jpg


Con sarn it while looking for an example pic I get tree'd even with the new anti-tree tech :lol:
 
Gotcha. Figured it had something to do with the pushrods. I think this might have even been explained to me before. :banghead: Now I do feel thick! Thanks for dealing with the guy that can't brain properly!
 
Tunerguy21
Gotcha. Figured it had something to do with the pushrods. I think this might have even been explained to me before. :banghead: Now I do feel thick! Thanks for dealing with the guy that can't brain properly!
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If nobody asked questions nobody would learn anything, don't feel bad for being confused about something and asking for help 👍
 
I'm only installing a high lift cam on the intake side of my 4 cylinder Miata. The OEM exhaust cam already has good specs, no need to change.
 
Heldenzeit
I'm only installing a high lift cam on the intake side of my 4 cylinder Miata. The OEM exhaust cam already has good specs, no need to change.
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That can be done on a pushrod engine too, where on spec can be updated and the others left.

On a lot of old engines it's pointless to spend that kind of money and not upgrade everything though.
 
Slash
That can be done on a pushrod engine too, where on spec can be updated and the others left.

On a lot of old engines it's pointless to spend that kind of money and not upgrade everything though.
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Agreed. Aftermarket cams for this car are also over $900, so I found an OEM cam out of a higher spec car for less than $300.
 
Heldenzeit
Agreed. Aftermarket cams for this car are also over $900, so I found an OEM cam out of a higher spec car for less than $300.
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Good lord! I can go out right now and get an entirely custom grind of anything I want for about $250 brand new for any of these old pushrod V8's. Most of them go got about $150-$200 for decent ones. I've even found OEM spec ones (lolywudne1wantdem) for as low as $85 brand new.
 

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