The profile of today's high-performance camshaft market is one of growth and diversity. There's a surging demand for camshafts that can withstand the rigors of big boost, and in some cases that means a cam with a larger, harder, stronger tool-steel core. At the same time, manufacturers are filling holes in the market for more traditional cam applications, such as older small block Chevy-type engines.

With developments across such a broad spectrum, there's a lot to discuss in this latest look at camshafts.

'Boost' Sales

The popularity of nitrous oxide systems, superchargers, and turbochargers in motorsports has affected camshaft development for companies such as Cam Motion in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. "We're keeping cores on the shelf now that can accommodate the power-adder guys," said Bobby Biancaniello. "You're going to cam something completely different if someone has a turbo or twin turbos and they're trying to run 40 pounds of boost and make 2,500 to 3,000 horsepower than if it's the same motor naturally aspirated."

Guy Aguayo at Crower Cams in San Diego, California, also noted a demand for cams that will handle what power-adders throw at them. "The bigger the cubic inches, the wider the lobe separation. That's one thing," he said. "Turbo applications tend to fool around a little bit different with duration, and then [there's] the supercharger—it all depends on what kind of power band they want to run."

He said it's amazing that some boosted applications have 1-inch-plus lift at the valves. "And they're getting 50-, 55-, and 60-millimeter camshafts. They want that for strength with all the spring pressures they run," Aguayo said. "They don't want any core flex at all."

He noted how better cylinder head flow, big cubic inches, and a lot of fuel intake all...

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