A cammed engine might sound like a two-stroke that is struggling to breath at idle to the uninitiated. However, to the experienced, it is a tell-tale sign of how much more power the truck can put down when running at the right RPM.
What does it mean if a truck is cammed?
The term cammed refers to the act of changing the camshaft in your car’s engine, which in turn changes its performance. The camshaft controls the opening and closing of the engine’s valves, which controls the flow of air and fuel going in and out of the engine.
The camshaft is responsible for opening and closing the valves using rotation lobes known as cams to push open the valves and springs to close them. By swapping the camshaft for a more performance cam, you can increase the duration of time the valves open during engine strokes.
As a result, the horsepower of your engine increase, allowing the truck to accelerate quickly. A larger camshaft will increase the engine horsepower power by retarding the cam.
How to make your truck sound cammed
Did you know there are ways to make your car sound beastly without installing a performance or bigger camshaft in your engine? And they are much cheaper and barely affect the way your vehicle consumes fuel, idles, or functions.
Rework the exhaust system
This entails replacing the factory-installed muffler with a straight muffler. This will make your exhaust louder than the factory muffler. Factory-installed mufflers have an S shape that tends to absorb most of the vehicle’s sound, making them quieter.
On the other hand, a straight muffler or a muffler delete will allow most of the noise produced to be released, making your vehicle sound cammed. On the plus side, straight mufflers are more efficient than S-shaped mufflers.
Install a vacuum reservoir
As the name suggests, this will store excess air in a vacuum canister that can be used to replenish the primary brake air when it runs low. By having an extra air supply for your braking system, the camshaft can pull in more air, thus creating a lot of noise that makes your engine sound cammed.
Install an electric vacuum pump
The principle behind an electric pump effect on the cammed sound is similar to the vacuum reservoir’s impact on the camshaft. By generating the air needed for the braking system, your camshaft has complete access to all the air it needs for the engine making it noisier as if it were cammed.
Install a hydro-boost system
This uses pressure from the power steering to run the brakes. This again means your camshaft is free to use as much air as possible to power the engine, which equals a noisier engine.
How do you know if your engine is cammed?
The most common indicator of a cammed engine is the amount of noise produced when driving or when the vehicle is idling. Another way to tell that your engine is cammed is the way the car idles. A rougher idle is an indication of a cammed engine. Lastly, if the engine is cammed, it will consume more fuel than an engine with a regular camshaft.
Does camming a car make it louder?
Yes. Changing the camshaft alters the sound produced by the engine owing to the increased airflow. The impact of the valves opening and closing at steeper angles cause a loud impact as they open and close. Additionally, the increased air intake and outflow also increase the amount of noise.
Is camming a car bad?
In most cases, camming a car is actually a good thing. Aside from the rough idle and the loud engine, you get to gain horsepower and faster acceleration. However, a camshaft can spell disaster for your car if it breaks or causes a lope.
A broken camshaft will affect your vehicle’s performance over time. This is due to the fuel’s inadequate intake of fuel and distorted intake of air and outflow of air from the engine. It is advisable to replace the camshaft as soon as you figure out that it is broken.
Check this too: How Much Does it Cost to Install a New Exhaust System?
A car lope will lead to excessive fuel consumption, which is never a welcome side effect. Car loping is a result of the intake and exhaust valves being open at the same time. The overlap causes excess fuel to accumulate in the cylinder due to incomplete fuel combustion.
Additionally, the loping will lead to a rougher idle, which may break the car’s spark plugs or spark plug wires. Damages plugs cause inconsistent fuel combustion, leading to a rough engine feel while you are driving.
How much does it cost to cam a car?
A camshaft costs between $300-600, whereas installation cost can range from $900-3000. Depending on the type of engine, car shop, extra services to amp engine performance, and so forth.
While you may handle the installation of the straight muffler on your own, camming a car is best left to a professional. The last thing you want is to damage your engine in the name or a throaty rumble.
Granted, you may be able to do it if you follow instructions diligently. But it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to an expensive part of your car, such as the engine. Wouldn’t you rather spend $1,200 on a camshaft installation than $6,000 on a new engine?