What makes for a good n2o cam?

blakern · 01-21-2010, 02:31 PM

Im doing a mild heads and cam package on my car. I told SDPC i wanted a good somewhat mild cam that would like spray. They recommended a comp 224/230 .581/.588 on a 114 i believe. So i went with it and never thought twice about it. Havnt finished the build yet but a buddy asked me if my cam was good for spray. I told him yes but i really cant explain why, except for " cause sdpc said so" haha.
So what does make for a good n2o cam?

boogeyman · 01-22-2010, 07:20 PM

nitrous like`s a wide LSA to help contain exhaust pressure, and having a wide duration split also help as you generate more exhaust pressure when using nitrous so it helps by keeping the exhaust valve open a little longer

Satan's Camaro · 01-22-2010, 08:33 PM

Well put.

Remember that when you add nitrous, it has a greater O2 density than regular air. It is also more combustible than air, once over the temperature that breaks the nitrogen oxygen bond. This greater density and combustibility create a couple of effects. Greater combustibility means it creates higher pressure faster, which is why you need to pull timing. This also means that you have a longer time period of higher pressure in the chamber, giving you a greater time period that you can still create power. The advantage of this greater duration can only be achieved by delaying the exhaust opening, which means a longer LSA.

Going back to a higher density of O2, and subsequently fuel in the cylinder... This creates a larger amount of gas that still needs to escape. This means you need a longer time period for the gasses to escape, hence the longer duration of the exhaust valve.

There is one more key to remember when looking at all of this. It is still a street driven car. You don't want to give up all of your power to accomodate just the nitrous. You still want a nice cam that will give you great driveability and good street manners with decent power. Balancing it all out, you get the same intake duration as you would a normal street cam, a slightly larger LSA (1-2 degree) than a typical street cam, and a slightly longer (@2 degree) exhuast duration than a typical street cam.

As an added note...
Make everything the same, with the exception of the cam. The street cam will make just barely more power without spraying nitrous than the nitrous cam, just barely. While spraying, the nitrous cam will make noticeably more than the street cam. Doing the same things, if you do an intake to each, you will see the same gains in each engine whether you are spraying or not. But, if you do long tube headers, you will see an even greater gain on both engines while spraying than while not spraying simply because of the greater exhaust capability.

blakern · 01-22-2010, 09:43 PM

never really said anything about weather or not my cams is good for n2o? so what i can gather from this you want more exhaust duration than intake, and the more lsa the better? which would make mine pretty good right?

Satan's Camaro · 01-23-2010, 09:55 AM

Yes. Yours is a good n2o cam.

BOTTLE FED R/T · 01-27-2010, 02:55 PM

Damn good info Satan

socal gto · 01-28-2010, 11:55 AM

Newb here but it is good to hear that the cam I have will be good for spray. I am slowly installing my kit but I'm still waiting on a few parts.

NOS JOHN · 05-13-2010, 02:34 PM

I had cam motion grind mine had them spec it for a 300 shot. With 317 head and hyd. just for example
242 252 on a 113 +2

Satan's Camaro · 05-13-2010, 05:15 PM

Thanks for the added info on a cam grind. Any chance you can add what types of lobes they actually used for the grind?

boogeyman · 05-23-2010, 12:07 AM

typical sbc motors require a split pattern cam to help w exhuast flow due to the poor flow of the stock exhaust port usually 6-8 degree`s is normal, when looking for a good nitrous cam i like to see 8-10 degree`s and at least a 112 LSA to really help get the exhuast out. LT cars need less of a duration split due to a very strong exhaust port 2-4 degree`s is average to make good power on just HP alone . LS motors i have no clue cuz i dont do many of them lol

Satan's Camaro · 05-23-2010, 02:28 PM

I have to find all my cam data for LS cams. I have complete listings for the comp and crane cam lobe designs somewhere. I'm pretty sure I saved them when my computer crashed last time. Took a long time to get all of the data.

BOTTLE FED R/T · 05-23-2010, 05:37 PM

At what size shot is a N2O cam beneficial?

boogeyman · 05-23-2010, 11:54 PM

its more than just the shot size, the convertor plays a big role too. but i look into a nitrous cam when i plan on hitting a car w 200 or more

01-21-2010, 02:31 PM	#1
blakern Hooked on Nitrous Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gibbon Nebraska Posts: 144	What makes for a good n2o cam? Im doing a mild heads and cam package on my car. I told SDPC i wanted a good somewhat mild cam that would like spray. They recommended a comp 224/230 .581/.588 on a 114 i believe. So i went with it and never thought twice about it. Havnt finished the build yet but a buddy asked me if my cam was good for spray. I told him yes but i really cant explain why, except for " cause sdpc said so" haha. So what does make for a good n2o cam? __________________ All Torn Apart

Last edited by blakern; 01-21-2010 at 02:34 PM..

01-22-2010, 07:20 PM	#2
boogeyman Hooked on Nitrous Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: minooka ill Posts: 110	nitrous like`s a wide LSA to help contain exhaust pressure, and having a wide duration split also help as you generate more exhaust pressure when using nitrous so it helps by keeping the exhaust valve open a little longer __________________ Go Go Gadget third gen i who walk thru the valley of death i shall fear no big block thy bottle and thy solenoids they comfort me for thy nitrous is with me.

01-22-2010, 08:33 PM	#3
Satan's Camaro Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 513	Well put. Remember that when you add nitrous, it has a greater O2 density than regular air. It is also more combustible than air, once over the temperature that breaks the nitrogen oxygen bond. This greater density and combustibility create a couple of effects. Greater combustibility means it creates higher pressure faster, which is why you need to pull timing. This also means that you have a longer time period of higher pressure in the chamber, giving you a greater time period that you can still create power. The advantage of this greater duration can only be achieved by delaying the exhaust opening, which means a longer LSA. Going back to a higher density of O2, and subsequently fuel in the cylinder... This creates a larger amount of gas that still needs to escape. This means you need a longer time period for the gasses to escape, hence the longer duration of the exhaust valve. There is one more key to remember when looking at all of this. It is still a street driven car. You don't want to give up all of your power to accomodate just the nitrous. You still want a nice cam that will give you great driveability and good street manners with decent power. Balancing it all out, you get the same intake duration as you would a normal street cam, a slightly larger LSA (1-2 degree) than a typical street cam, and a slightly longer (@2 degree) exhuast duration than a typical street cam. As an added note... Make everything the same, with the exception of the cam. The street cam will make just barely more power without spraying nitrous than the nitrous cam, just barely. While spraying, the nitrous cam will make noticeably more than the street cam. Doing the same things, if you do an intake to each, you will see the same gains in each engine whether you are spraying or not. But, if you do long tube headers, you will see an even greater gain on both engines while spraying than while not spraying simply because of the greater exhaust capability. __________________ 99 Camaro SS with a 408 and a little direct port action. AKA RedTtop6spd The reason why my wife is calling it Satan's Camaro

01-22-2010, 09:43 PM	#4
blakern Hooked on Nitrous Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gibbon Nebraska Posts: 144	never really said anything about weather or not my cams is good for n2o? so what i can gather from this you want more exhaust duration than intake, and the more lsa the better? which would make mine pretty good right? __________________ All Torn Apart

01-23-2010, 09:55 AM	#5
Satan's Camaro Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 513	Yes. Yours is a good n2o cam. __________________ 99 Camaro SS with a 408 and a little direct port action. AKA RedTtop6spd The reason why my wife is calling it Satan's Camaro

01-27-2010, 02:55 PM	#6
BOTTLE FED R/T Nitrous Addict Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: St.Louis Posts: 416	Damn good info Satan __________________ 311rwhp & 356rwtq N/A 398rwhp & 487rwtq N2O

01-28-2010, 11:55 AM	#7
socal gto Nitrous Tech n00bie Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Chino Hills Posts: 1	Newb here but it is good to hear that the cam I have will be good for spray. I am slowly installing my kit but I'm still waiting on a few parts.

05-13-2010, 02:34 PM	#8
NOS JOHN Nitrous Tech n00bie Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: NIXA MO Posts: 9	I had cam motion grind mine had them spec it for a 300 shot. With 317 head and hyd. just for example 242 252 on a 113 +2 __________________ NITROUSOUTLET D.P KIT 9.78@138

05-13-2010, 05:15 PM	#9
Satan's Camaro Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 513	Thanks for the added info on a cam grind. Any chance you can add what types of lobes they actually used for the grind? __________________ 99 Camaro SS with a 408 and a little direct port action. AKA RedTtop6spd The reason why my wife is calling it Satan's Camaro

05-23-2010, 12:07 AM	#10
boogeyman Hooked on Nitrous Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: minooka ill Posts: 110	typical sbc motors require a split pattern cam to help w exhuast flow due to the poor flow of the stock exhaust port usually 6-8 degree`s is normal, when looking for a good nitrous cam i like to see 8-10 degree`s and at least a 112 LSA to really help get the exhuast out. LT cars need less of a duration split due to a very strong exhaust port 2-4 degree`s is average to make good power on just HP alone . LS motors i have no clue cuz i dont do many of them lol __________________ Go Go Gadget third gen i who walk thru the valley of death i shall fear no big block thy bottle and thy solenoids they comfort me for thy nitrous is with me.

05-23-2010, 02:28 PM	#11
Satan's Camaro Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 513	I have to find all my cam data for LS cams. I have complete listings for the comp and crane cam lobe designs somewhere. I'm pretty sure I saved them when my computer crashed last time. Took a long time to get all of the data. __________________ 99 Camaro SS with a 408 and a little direct port action. AKA RedTtop6spd The reason why my wife is calling it Satan's Camaro

05-23-2010, 05:37 PM	#12
BOTTLE FED R/T Nitrous Addict Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: St.Louis Posts: 416	At what size shot is a N2O cam beneficial? __________________ 311rwhp & 356rwtq N/A 398rwhp & 487rwtq N2O

05-23-2010, 11:54 PM	#13
boogeyman Hooked on Nitrous Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: minooka ill Posts: 110	its more than just the shot size, the convertor plays a big role too. but i look into a nitrous cam when i plan on hitting a car w 200 or more __________________ Go Go Gadget third gen i who walk thru the valley of death i shall fear no big block thy bottle and thy solenoids they comfort me for thy nitrous is with me.