what about a trick flow top end kit, head cam and intake
there again, you get a cam, heads and intake that are "matched" to work together, with in the bounds of production volumes. remember that trick flow is also a high volume manufacturer, and has certain constraints on how closely they can match components.
and they match the
m by the projected rpm range they will be used in, and again are designed for out of the box usage.[/QUOTE
They might just be for a foxbody about 3300 pounds ,stick shift and 5.0
in some cases a custom cam grind can make an additional 20-30hp over an off the shelf cam, in the same rpm range.
Quite the contrary... I will preface this first by saying that I am a very extreme case:I too have a hard time believing that custom cams can give much benefits over an off the shelf cam.
I too have a hard time believing that custom cams can give much benefits over an off the shelf cam. They come in so many different combinations off the shelf, surely there is something there that matches close to what is needed for a given combo.
Quite the contrary... I will preface this first by saying that I am a very extreme case:
Beginning of last season I has swapped cams in my 438" Windsor. The original cam while making pretty sick hp wasn't exactly designed to maximize my engine combo. I had a new cam ground and picked up 115 rwhp, no that isn't a typo. We netted a gain of 8% power at the rear tires making 1,327 rwhp previously and 1,442 rwhp after the swap. The only appreciable difference was the cam change.
If a properly designed custom cam can make 8% more power on a 300 hp motor ( which I don't think is totally un plausible) you could see a net increase of 24 Hp
While I agree with most of what you stated I do want to clear up the "cost" issue. A custom grind doesn't cost twice as much as an ots grind in most cases. For example a common price point for most company's is around 280$(Not the FMS grinds). Now my custom billet core cost 402$ to my door. So yes they're more expensive but I'll have a professional select/design my cam every time for such a minor price difference. Just my .02Some custom cams are common, the problem is that they don't have a designated part number, for example an e303 cam.
So to get one you have to know the specs, then be a dealer that calls say comp cams and orders those specs. For sure they have done that cam before but without a part number you can't just grab if off the shelf at summit racing. The cam companies don't necessarily know what parts you have or why you need those specs, but they don't really care.
It's really just a racket to ring up a much more expensive sale.
Even worse, try to sell a custom cam you bought, you damn near have to give it away.
A custom cam is at least a $200 add on, and just like everything else out there, the money is all in the extras.
The cam is so deep in the engine, I just prefer custom, yup it costs double, but I really don't like even the idea of pulling the cam out because I was cheap.
Some custom cams are common, the problem is that they don't have a designated part number, for example an e303 cam.
A custom cam is at least a $200 add on, and just like everything else out there, the money is all in the extras.
I'd be very curious for someone to do a side by side test with a good OTS cam, say a TFS1, TFS2 , crane extreme 264, 270 and then a custom cam.
As would I. I think far too many on this site are unable to see that there's a difference between an OTS cam and a "poorly selected" OTS cam.I'd be very curious for someone to do a side by side test with a good OTS cam, say a TFS1, TFS2 , crane extreme 264, 270 and then a custom cam.