Cam Gear Timing

[kyle94gt]

so here's a quick question maybe someone can help me with. when my pops was installing my timing gears on my new engine he installed the cam gear 4* advanced. I've heard a lot of people say it's better to run this cam at 0* and 5.0 magazine or mm&ff did a build on a 347 with the cam and put it at 0*. so i'm curious is that something worth looking into changing? i don't feel my car has the potential it should have. thanks

 

[GDTrumbo]

If it's a stock cam, I don't think timing it at 4* is a good idea. ECM may not know what to do with that. If aftermarket, you may want to degree it.

GT

 

[kyle94gt]

no it's a trick flow stage one. i don't think he degreed the cam at all. i wasn't there the day he was doing it. I had just finished the bottom end the night before and had to work the next day so i doubt he did.

 

[Paul]

Advancing or retarding the cam only moves your power curve up/down the RPM range. If it were me, I would have installed it at zero.

All "degreeing" a cam means is that you're checking to ensure the actual lift matches what it specifies on the cam card. If your cam is ground correctly, all you need to do is line up the dots on the timing sprockets. The only way you can really adjust it is in "fixed" increments if you have a timing chain that has them, or it can be infinitely adjustable if you have something like a Jesel belt drive.

Paul.

 

[kyle94gt]

okay i got ya. that's what i was thinking because it seems it runs like i have a turbo sorta if you know what i mean. no low end torque until it hits about 2800 then it pulls like a beast. anyways.. i'm glad i'm not the only one that was thinking that. i appreciate it guys.

 

[Paul]

I installed my TFS1 at zero to keep the power curve right where it's most useful on the street.

 

[kyle94gt]

how hard does it pull off the line? that's what i'm going for mainly is the initial start up. mines like i've got mad turbo lag like i had in my 6.0 f-250. sucks.