304 cams

[mr calais 5.0]

Just a couple of questions about cams for the 304..
1- with a stage 2 crow cam do you need to change lifters and valve springs too
2- what's the difference between solid and hydrolic cams?
Thanks guys

[383 hatch]

You ALWAYS need to change lifters with a new cam, regardless of the grind. The Crow "stage 2" isn't overly big, but i'd still put a set of LT1 Chev springs in at the same time as the cam change. The stock springs will be old and weak anyway, so it won't hurt to put a new set in.

Solid cams have lifters that as the name suggests are solid (no moving parts in side them). They require clearance between the valve tip and rocker which must be set properly. As a result, they require adjustable rockers. Solid cams are good for high revving applications. However, solid grinds are generally quiet big cams. The clearances on a solid cam should be checked periodically.

Hydraulic cams have lifters that are operated hydraulically (oil pumps up a plunger inside) and don't require any clearance at all, they're preloaded by the valve train though. If the grind isn't massive, stock rockers can be used.

For a tidy street engine a hydraulic cam will be fine and maintenance free. If you are planning to build a high revving screamer (over 6-6500rpm), then a solid is the way to go. If you can afford it, either way you go look at going roller cam, it's the only way to fly IMO.

[mr calais 5.0]

Ahh cool thanks for the info.. Was looking at cams and some places you can get a cam, lifters, springs and other places just have cams on there own.. Also the crow cam comes with lifter, springs and memcal.. Just planing a cam change at tax time.. Just looking at how much $$ I should need to save and word up my mate the mechanic..

[383 hatch]

Honestly i'd just buy the cam, lifters and springs and then get it properly tuned. The tune Crow supply is just a generic type tune and it's pretty average at best (fitted a Crow stage 3 kit with memcal to a 5 litre).

[mr calais 5.0]

I have fitted a couple of cams to the 202 and 186 motors with the old man but he's not around anymore and I'm not 100% on the timing part.. So I will just save for the stage 2 kit and get my mate to fit the lot and get a custom tune.. Thanks for the help