- To find out if you cam has advance ground in you can check on the cam card. Besides the +2, +4, you can determine the number by looking at the intake center line (ICL). Referring back to the T1 cam card you'll see that it states that those are the specs when installed on a 108 ICL.

- Subtracting the ICL from the LSA will give you the advance: 112 – 108 = 4 using the T1. Or 113 – 109 = 4 using the G5X2.

- Retarding the cam does the opposite of advancing it, it pushes the power band up slightly and gives more top end power.

- With an adjustable timing chain or degreeing the cam you can install the cam at different ICL's.

- Keep in mind as stated; most cams already have advance ground into them so if you buy an adjustable timing chain and advance 2 degrees you'll increase the overall advance to 6 degree's if the cam has 4 degree's ground in.

- Also with big cams and/or milled heads piston to valve clearances starts becoming an issue. If in doubt always clay the heads and find out your PtV clearance before installing/advancing especially if your cam has a big intake duration as advancing starts the intake valve events sooner.

- Degreeing or installing dot to dot at the said ICL is the best bet.







II. Which cam is right for you



- The key to cam selection is to be brutally truthful when it comes to how you intend to use the engine in question.

- Don't succumb to the temptation to put the biggest cam you can find into your daily driver.

- If you want to be a lazy **** and not do your own research to find the cam that best suits your application you can just pick up a tr224 114 cam which is the quintessential all around great daily driver cam or step up to the FMS FM13

- "Small, Medium, and Large" are relative terms and always changing with the times. 220 to 230 duration, .550 to .590, 112 or 114 cam is considered good starter cams, again, depending on application.

- When upgrading from a previous cam make sure the increase in duration is more then a few degree's. For the average joe a swap from a tr224 to a tr230 or a FM13 to an FM14 wont be worth the time and effort to swap. Instread of swapping cams save up some money and invest in a good set of heads.

- A few of the more popular and latest and greatest cams in no particular order:

TR224 .563/.563 112 +4

TR 224 .561/.561 114+4

Comps 224 .581/.581 112

TSP 231/237 .598/.595 112+2

G5X2 232/240 .595/.609 112 or 114+4

G5X3: specs unreleased but bigger then the X2

TR Trex 242/248 .608/.612 110+2

FMS FM4 226/226 .575/.575 112 or 114

FMS FM 10 228/228 .581/.581 112 or 114

FMS FM 13 230/232 .591/.585 112 or 114

02+ LS6 cam 204/218 .551/.547 117.5

LPE GT2-3 207/220 .578/.581 118.5

GM HotCam 219/228 .525/.525 112

TSP 225/225 .589/.589 112

TSP 233/ 233 .595/.595 112

MS3 237/242 .603/.609 113+0

TSP 233/239 .598/.603 113

FM14 232/234 .600/.600 110, 112, or 114 lsa

II. Valvetrain



A. Springs



- For any cam swap you MUST change out valve springs. The stock springs are only good enough for the stock cam and barely at that.

- As far as springs go you have a few but not limited to the following choices:

1. Comp 918's: A few years back they had some problems with non-blue stripe springs breaking but they have rectified the problem. The beehive design is also a superior setup due to there light weight and harmonics.. Your stock steel retainers can be reused with the 918's but titanium retainers are recommended for lightening up the valvetrain and for strength.

Outside Diameter (O.D.): 1.290"/1.060"

Inside Diameter (I.D.): .885"/.656"

Installed Pressure: 130 lbs @ 1.800"

Open Pressure: 318 lbs @ 1.200''

Coil Bind: 1.085"

Maximum Lift: 0.625"

Rate (lbs/in): 313 lbs/in



2. Manley Nextek: Also a single spring like the 918's but not of the beehive variety. They are a good spring and come in a package deal from SDPC for $214 and that includes titanium retainers. The springs are rated for up to .600 lift.

Max Valve Lift : .600"

O.D. : 1.255"

I.D. : .830

Installed Pressure : [email protected]"

Open Pressure : [email protected]"

Coil Bind : 1.100"



3. Crane Duals: A dual spring setup rated for up to .650 lift. When buying duals you'll need the dual springs (obviously), titanium retainers, new dual spring seats, and new valve stem seals.

Outer Diameter Outer Spring 1.275

Outer Diameter Inner Spring .937

Inner Diameter Inner Spring .667

Damper No

Seat Pressure @ Installed Height 112 lbs @ 1.800

Open Pressure and Height 352 @ 1.150

Coil Bind 1.045

Maximum Net Lift w/.060" Clearance .650

Average Spring Rate (lbs./in.) 352

*INFO REGARDING CRANE SPRING REVISION* (first batch)



4. Comp 921's: Also a dual spring like the Cranes above and come as a kit with everything you need for installation, rated for up to .650 lift

O.D: 1.300

I.D: .870 (outer spring)

I.D: .655 (inner spring)

135 LBS @ 1.770

400 LBS @ 1.220

COIL BIND @ 1.040

MAX LIFT .650



5. Patriot Gold Duals: See Crane and 921's. The PP Golds come on all PP heads. PP are the only genIII spring setup to use the super 7 10* locks.

O.D 1.29

135lbs @ 1.800

385lbs open

coil bind @ 1.08

.650 lift

My Personal Indepedently tested PP golds:

seat: 143 lbs @ 1.800

open: 363 @ 1.200

coil bind: 1.060

Clearance: .140

spring rate: 367



6. PRC Dual Spring Kit: Kit comes with Dual springs, tit. retainers (using stock locks), seats, valve stem seals. good for up to .660 lift