Cammed

[texasspeed]

So I know a little about cars and their engines. But have lost some knowledge over the years. I used to work with a mechanic/engineer and learned alot, but that was some years ago. Anyways, simple question. Does a mild cam hurt you engine due to wear? Not worried about mpg or anything, just the wear and tear that it could possibly do to an engine.

[Chaoul1]

It won't hurt the engine but there is a chance it will hurt MPG. But it will increase Horsepower baby and Torque!

What do you have?

[texasspeed]

Well I'm looking at some trans am right now and of course mod every car I get. Thought I've never done a cam.

[languy99]

depending on how mild the cam is, if it is too much it can bind the valve springs. But just a small mild cam no it will not just be careful.

[MOPARado]

Can you post the mfg'er and specs of the cam you're thinking of?
Are you going to install it yourself?

Some cams will increase HP/torque and some cams are designed to increase MPG though most car mfg'ers today design cams for the best MPG with maybe the exception of the hi-end, hi-performance cars.

Unless you're going for some radical racing cam, all should be just fine.
On the otherhand if the cam is on the radical side, look for decreased MPG and like languy99 said earlier, the valve springs might have to be changed also.
But most cam kits (at least back in my day) come with matching springs, retainers, etc. for a specific engine.

There's also another remote concern with a radical racing cam in that if the lift is great enough, the valves could hit the piston depending on the specific engine in question... A definite day ruiner!
:

[The Chariot]

The biggest thing you gain with a mild cam (along with setting the degrees) is not necessarily a horse power or torque increase, but rather a change in the torque curve. In other words, where the peak power is and depending on the grind, how flat the overall curve is. Generally you want it lower in the PRM range for the street. With an EFI system I recommend you get it tuned after the cam swap.

[Chaoul1]

So on top of that upgrade the Valve springs and you might want to upgrade the Headers for more performance!

[Char1iebrown]

Headers, And cam, and you will be set..

[texasspeed]

what i usually do to my vehicles is just catback/maybe headers,programmer, cai. But with this i would do headers, cam, exhaust, programmer, slp cai. The specs on the cam i would like are anywhere from 525/540. Around that range. Just a mild, but a good lope. Im okay if I lose 5mpg.

[Char1iebrown]

What engine/car do you have?