FI CAM vs NA CAM - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

GAD · 10-19-2021, 02:34 AM

What's the main differences? Planning on going FI around March ish. Talking over options with the tuner and he talked like there would be a limit to how much boost could be put through a NA CAM.

CamaroDreams76 · 10-19-2021, 04:35 AM

overlap is the main difference. NA cams have way more then FI cams. NA cams will still support big numbers though.

GAD · 10-19-2021, 08:03 AM

Okay, thanks!

Greenhornet2 · 10-19-2021, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GAD

Okay, thanks!

What happens on a NA cam is you basically blow some boost out the exhaust due to the overlap. Also you usually run more exhaust duration and or lift to account for the extra gasses from the higher density air/fuel crammed into the combustion chamber. While it wont really change how much "boost" you can run. It may have more of a restriction so running a pulley that nets you 12psi on a NA cam may net you 10PSI on a FI cam but will still have more power than the 12psi NA cammed set up meaning it Is breathing easier. Boost is just a measure of restriction. So you would be able to spin it faster to regain your 12PSI of boost and get even more power.
I made 574whp on the NA stock cam 12psi. changed cam gained power but was at 9-10psi, put a smaller pulley on it got my 12 psi back and 704whp.
In short. If you are going to run FI and change the cam go with a cam designed for your FI. Turbo cams are more aligned towards NA cam profiles.

silversleeper · 10-19-2021, 12:37 PM

You already spent the money to put in the cam, I wouldn't tear it all down $$ to change it. Run it with what you got. Yes it would leave some hp on the table but as already said just pulley up if you want more.
I think it might be hard on cats but that isn't an issue for you.

gtstorey · 10-19-2021, 02:06 PM

For what it's worth, Engine Masters tested NA cams and FI cams in the same motor and decided they are both just cams. By that they mean one performed as a lower end torque cam and one pushed the power higher at higher RPM's just like you normal cam decision that has to be made. This was just one motor combo (351 Windsor with roots charge IIRC).

GAD · 10-19-2021, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenhornet2

What happens on a NA cam is you basically blow some boost out the exhaust due to the overlap. Also you usually run more exhaust duration and or lift to account for the extra gasses from the higher density air/fuel crammed into the combustion chamber. While it wont really change how much "boost" you can run. It may have more of a restriction so running a pulley that nets you 12psi on a NA cam may net you 10PSI on a FI cam but will still have more power than the 12psi NA cammed set up meaning it Is breathing easier. Boost is just a measure of restriction. So you would be able to spin it faster to regain your 12PSI of boost and get even more power.
I made 574whp on the NA stock cam 12psi. changed cam gained power but was at 9-10psi, put a smaller pulley on it got my 12 psi back and 704whp.
In short. If you are going to run FI and change the cam go with a cam designed for your FI. Turbo cams are more aligned towards NA cam profiles.

That's the info I was looking for! Awesome, answered all my questions. I really appreciate the reply. And everyone else's replies. Thanks all.

Bigdumogre · 10-19-2021, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenhornet2

What happens on a NA cam is you basically blow some boost out the exhaust due to the overlap. Also you usually run more exhaust duration and or lift to account for the extra gasses from the higher density air/fuel crammed into the combustion chamber. While it wont really change how much "boost" you can run. It may have more of a restriction so running a pulley that nets you 12psi on a NA cam may net you 10PSI on a FI cam but will still have more power than the 12psi NA cammed set up meaning it Is breathing easier. Boost is just a measure of restriction. So you would be able to spin it faster to regain your 12PSI of boost and get even more power.
I made 574whp on the NA stock cam 12psi. changed cam gained power but was at 9-10psi, put a smaller pulley on it got my 12 psi back and 704whp.
In short. If you are going to run FI and change the cam go with a cam designed for your FI. Turbo cams are more aligned towards NA cam profiles.

Thanks for this. Now I don’t feel bad for getting a NA cam now, I will go fi in the future but gonna take me 5 years so rather enjoy the car over this time then underperform with a fi cam. Plus when I go boosted into just looking for mid 700 hp

silversleeper · 10-20-2021, 12:47 PM

https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/ca...ted-explained/

https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/ls...r-cams-tested/

If you care to do more reading.

As other people are thinking of a NA cam now to FI later, I'd choose something more with a 116-118 Lobe center angle and not too much overlap and it would work better with both. As I said I'd not change out one with 114 in a VVT due to $ vs gains. If you are going for max power and don't care about $ ignore most of what I said.
Saw a good youtube on this topic, I'd argue for a fun street motor this crane NA cam is more in line with what I'm looking for. Might be a different brand to ensure a good core metal. Again not the max hp cam there is but an all round package. California smog means I can't easily run this now though.

the cam specs are below:

TheFlyingBananaSS · 10-20-2021, 09:02 PM

There are PD blower cams and Centri blower cams too so it's best to decide what type of blower you want to run before you buy the cam.

GAD · 10-20-2021, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silversleeper

https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/ca...ted-explained/

https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/ls...r-cams-tested/

If you care to do more reading.

As other people are thinking of a NA cam now to FI later, I'd choose something more with a 116-118 Lobe center angle and not too much overlap and it would work better with both. As I said I'd not change out one with 114 in a VVT due to $ vs gains. If you are going for max power and don't care about $ ignore most of what I said.
Saw a good youtube on this topic, I'd argue for a fun street motor this crane NA cam is more in line with what I'm looking for. Might be a different brand to ensure a good core metal. Again not the max hp cam there is but an all round package. California smog means I can't easily run this now though.

the cam specs are below:

Thanks. Will definitely have to read through those links.

I don't really have a specific power goal in mind. I've just been winging it this far lol.

GAD · 10-20-2021, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFlyingBananaSS

There are PD blower cams and Centri blower cams too so it's best to decide what type of blower you want to run before you buy the cam.

Yea definitely going Centrifugal. After talking with the tuner, I'm debating between D1x Procharger or ECS's Novi 1500.

10-19-2021, 02:34 AM	#1
GAD Drives: Silver 2014 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Knoxville Posts: 225	FI CAM vs NA CAM What's the main differences? Planning on going FI around March ish. Talking over options with the tuner and he talked like there would be a limit to how much boost could be put through a NA CAM. __________________ 2014 Silver 2SS L99 with Roto-Fab CAI, Kooks LT Headers, Kooks Cat-less 3” exhaust, TS Stage 3.2 VVT CAM, Circle D 3200 Stall, E85 Kit, FIC 850cc injectors and Elite Engineering Catch Can. Dynoed at 478rwhp.

10-19-2021, 04:35 AM	#2
CamaroDreams76 Tri-County Camaro SWFL Drives: 2013 IOM 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: South West FL Posts: 3,078 View My Garage	overlap is the main difference. NA cams have way more then FI cams. NA cams will still support big numbers though. __________________ Just bolt ons........ https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343023

10-19-2021, 08:03 AM	#3
GAD Drives: Silver 2014 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Knoxville Posts: 225	Okay, thanks! __________________ 2014 Silver 2SS L99 with Roto-Fab CAI, Kooks LT Headers, Kooks Cat-less 3” exhaust, TS Stage 3.2 VVT CAM, Circle D 3200 Stall, E85 Kit, FIC 850cc injectors and Elite Engineering Catch Can. Dynoed at 478rwhp.

10-20-2021, 09:02 PM	#10
TheFlyingBananaSS Evil Genius of Chevrolet Drives: 2017 Z06, 2019 XTS, 2013 SS Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: New York Posts: 3,260	There are PD blower cams and Centri blower cams too so it's best to decide what type of blower you want to run before you buy the cam. __________________ GPI SS2 VVT cam, ECS Novi 1500 supercharger, Corsa Extreme, Detroit Speed and BMR suspension, Circle D triple disc, Melling oil pump, LS2 chain tensioner, ATI 10% UD, DSX E85 kit, High Energy coils, BTR springs, LS2 Lifter trays, Titanium retainers, hardened push rods, FIC 1000 injectors, ZL1 pump, Mighty Mouse catch can, AEM gauges, Tial BOV, Richmond 3.91 gears, Custom gauge bezels, Speed Engineering headers, Stainless Works HF cats, DSX Aux pump, 710rwhp on E85.

10-19-2021, 12:37 PM	#5
silversleeper Big Crow Drives: '13 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: California Posts: 1,486	You already spent the money to put in the cam, I wouldn't tear it all down $$ to change it. Run it with what you got. Yes it would leave some hp on the table but as already said just pulley up if you want more. I think it might be hard on cats but that isn't an issue for you.

10-19-2021, 02:06 PM	#6
gtstorey Drives: 2010 Camaro SS2,L99, LSA SC Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,155	For what it's worth, Engine Masters tested NA cams and FI cams in the same motor and decided they are both just cams. By that they mean one performed as a lower end torque cam and one pushed the power higher at higher RPM's just like you normal cam decision that has to be made. This was just one motor combo (351 Windsor with roots charge IIRC).