In the endless research to put a cam in my 265, I have been looking at Comp Cams and using their CAMQUEST software. I know all the dyno software is not 100% accurate but how accurate is theirs ? What I would really like to hear is someone who used it, chose a cam,****embled and ran their engine and possibly had it dynoed to prove how accurate the software actually is. I really want to get going with this project and this as we all know is the most important step.
Thanks sdluck. That is actually something I know the previous owner of my short block didn't do, so it shall be done.
I've wondered the same thing but haven't heard of anyone doing it. I do****ume they are a bit "generous" with they're predictions though. Posted using the uh, er, whatever. Who cares app
I actually loaded it and tried it out due to this posting. I found it was a waste of time, maybe I was not doing it right but I'm looking at the same cams as I was before. In a sense it's like a semi interactive online catalog. I could not get the features to work and now I'm concerned about getting a zillion Emails. I'll probably take myself off the newsletter list. Maybe not though if they send out good info. You could do the same thing with the Summit Racing search engine and get other stuff besides Comp products. I think there is no magic bullet in cam choice. Even if someone has an identical engine to yours, results may vary. I remember when I was a kid and my brother and I would study the Summit catalog and the description comments like " It's for horse lovers."...Yep, that's the one for us. Believe it or not most of the time it worked out very well. Ignorance is bliss I guess. It seems it was easier back then around 1990. I'll share more in my build thread but I'm looking at "The Package". Gear ratio, weight, tire size, induction, intake, exhaust system, heads, tire size, RPM at my common speeds, and camshaft RPM bands that match all of that. So when I plugged into the camquest, I was looking at the same stuff with the same info as I was before. ABCD...1234 pick one. I may not have helped but IMHO it really comes down to Ennie-Minnie-Miny-Moe as there are so many profiles that do basically the same thing once you get "the package" figured out.
Yep F-ONE, I do agree, there are what seems to be too many choices. It is too easy to get caught up in the abyss of over research. If nothing else, it at least shows some changing info. based on different durations and lift combinations. When I compare their data to what Desktop Dyno shows, Desktop is a bit more generous. I have been told that Dyno's data is 5-7% high. If that is somewhat true, CAMQUEST seems to be somewhat in line. But like you said, it could still "generous". I am trying to build around "the package" as well. I may have to change a few things but if we don't try to build "the package" I know you just waste some of the other components potential.
I found cam quest info helpful and mostly pretty close- as close as you are in putting in the info. The old garbage in garbage out scenario fits well. If it asks for a specific answer and you guess, then how accurate can it be on the bottom line. Its really only as smart as the guy sitting in front of it. It's up to you to interpret the information generated.
For basic hot rod stuff I'm sure it'll be fine. If you're really serious- call a cam grinder like ultradyne and talk to Harold or one of the other custom places. Posted using the uh, er, whatever. Who cares app
What are you planing on doing with the car? 9,000 rpm D|G or a street car. Don;t make the common mistake of buying the cam you want instead of the one you need. What works in 383 may not be good in a 265.
the comp cam program is basically the same as there cheap version of there dyno program , and you will not be able to tell if your 10-15 hp off with the good old***** dyno .
Its good for getting you close... if you enter accurate info. I dont use the HP numbers but it is more useful to plug in the various cams it lists for your combo and see the differences in torque, HP and RPM ranges between them to help you pick one.
I agree about garbage in garbage out. What I entered is what I feel is good info., so if the numbers I get are close, I'm happy and it should be fun.
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