How to find the right Automotive Replacement Engine Cam & Lifter Kits AI guide

COMP Cams: Widest range of street and performance cam and lifter kits.
Lunati: Performance cam and lifter kits for domestic V8s.
Edelbrock: Matched cam kits designed around its intake and head packages.
Howards Cams: Performance cams and lifters, including roller conversions.
Melling: Stock-replacement cam and lifter kits for rebuilds.
Sealed Power: OE-style replacement cams and lifters for stock rebuilds.

Written by an AI model from its trained knowledge.

What the AI looks for in Automotive Replacement Engine Cam & Lifter Kits

Lifter type must match the block: Factory roller blocks take hydraulic roller kits. Flat-tappet cams need new flat-tappet lifters every time. Reusing old lifters on a new flat-tappet cam wipes lobes almost immediately.
Flat-tappet break-in: Use high-ZDDP break-in oil or additive. Run the engine at about 2000 to 2500 rpm for the first 20 to 30 minutes, with no idling. Most cam failures happen during break-in on modern low-zinc oils.
Valve spring compatibility: Springs must handle the cam's lift without coil bind and give the seat and open pressure the manufacturer specifies. Stock springs often bind or float on higher-lift cams.
Match duration to the vehicle: Choose duration and lobe separation to suit compression, converter stall, gearing and vacuum needs (for example, power brakes). An oversized cam ruins low-speed drivability and brake vacuum on a street car.
Clearance checks: Check piston-to-valve and retainer-to-guide clearance on high-lift or long-duration cams. Inadequate clearance causes valve-to-piston contact.
Emissions legality: On emissions-controlled road vehicles, check for a CARB EO or an equivalent exemption. Non-exempt cams can fail inspection where emissions rules apply.

Flat-tappet engines benefit from oil with higher zinc content long term. Hydraulic roller engines run fine on normal modern oils.