Hi.
My friend wants to upgrade to a 276 cam but he asked me how to tell the difference between the standard cam, a 272 or the 276. I told him I wasn't sure so that's why I'm asking. Hes worried that maybe someone will say its a 276 when its actually not. Are there numbers on the cam to distinguish the difference in duration etc?
Thanks guys.
How to tell camshafts apart
- Ansell
- Cadet
- Posts: 181
- Registered for: 9 years 6 months
- Car Make: VW
- Car Model: 1997 Golf 3
- Location: Somerset West, Cape Town
How to tell camshafts apart
Current:
1997 Golf MK3 GSX (1.8 MP9)
Specs:
79.7kw at 5209rpm and 160nm at 4240rpm (Saichs Dyno)
Modifications:
Stock exhaust with one 50mm-57mm freeflow box.
Standard airbox
Standard cam
Ex: 1970 Beetle 1300 twin-port
If you don't look back at your car after you park it, then you own the wrong car.
1997 Golf MK3 GSX (1.8 MP9)
Specs:
79.7kw at 5209rpm and 160nm at 4240rpm (Saichs Dyno)
Modifications:
Stock exhaust with one 50mm-57mm freeflow box.
Standard airbox
Standard cam
Ex: 1970 Beetle 1300 twin-port
If you don't look back at your car after you park it, then you own the wrong car.
-
- Lieutenant-Colonel
- Posts: 4565
- Registered for: 17 years 10 months
- Car Make: Merc
- Car Model: C63 Edition 507
- Membership No: missing
- Location: Eastrand
Re: How to tell camshafts apart
only way is to measure the lobes/lift - also some cams will have special markings which tell them apart
Polo 20VBigT - The Redhead
Kia Sportage - The Silver Surfer
C63 507 Edition - The Dragon
Isuzu 4x4 - Little Joe
Rustler Bakkie - Good Old Jimmy
Kia Sportage - The Silver Surfer
C63 507 Edition - The Dragon
Isuzu 4x4 - Little Joe
Rustler Bakkie - Good Old Jimmy
- Ansell
- Cadet
- Posts: 181
- Registered for: 9 years 6 months
- Car Make: VW
- Car Model: 1997 Golf 3
- Location: Somerset West, Cape Town
Re: How to tell camshafts apart
Ah I see, okay cool. Thanks. So if there are no markings then would I use a dial indicator?
Current:
1997 Golf MK3 GSX (1.8 MP9)
Specs:
79.7kw at 5209rpm and 160nm at 4240rpm (Saichs Dyno)
Modifications:
Stock exhaust with one 50mm-57mm freeflow box.
Standard airbox
Standard cam
Ex: 1970 Beetle 1300 twin-port
If you don't look back at your car after you park it, then you own the wrong car.
1997 Golf MK3 GSX (1.8 MP9)
Specs:
79.7kw at 5209rpm and 160nm at 4240rpm (Saichs Dyno)
Modifications:
Stock exhaust with one 50mm-57mm freeflow box.
Standard airbox
Standard cam
Ex: 1970 Beetle 1300 twin-port
If you don't look back at your car after you park it, then you own the wrong car.
- panic-mechanic
- Panic's Place
- Posts: 26715
- Registered for: 21 years 7 months
- Membership No: 79
- Location: Benoni, putfontein.
Re: How to tell camshafts apart
You cannot measure a loose cam using a dial gauge. Can only be done on an engine where it is installed.
But all aftermarket cams will have a marking on the one end showing it's duaration. If not then walk away as you won't know.
But all aftermarket cams will have a marking on the one end showing it's duaration. If not then walk away as you won't know.
Stephan van Tonder - Jhb - Putfontein Benoni
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10
Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
'05 Audi A6 3.0L TDI Avant
'09 Touareg 3l TDI
'13 VW CC 2l tdi (repair project)
'05 Touareg v10
Perfect Power dealer. I do dyno tuning.
-
- Lieutenant
- Posts: 1076
- Registered for: 21 years 7 months
- Location: Gauteng
- Contact:
Re: How to tell camshafts apart
To add to OP's question, Would you know if said cam is intended for hydraulic or solid lifter setup?panic-mechanic wrote:You cannot measure a loose cam using a dial gauge. Can only be done on an engine where it is installed.
But all aftermarket cams will have a marking on the one end showing it's duaration. If not then walk away as you won't know.
- Ansell
- Cadet
- Posts: 181
- Registered for: 9 years 6 months
- Car Make: VW
- Car Model: 1997 Golf 3
- Location: Somerset West, Cape Town
Re: How to tell camshafts apart
Thanks Panic.
Current:
1997 Golf MK3 GSX (1.8 MP9)
Specs:
79.7kw at 5209rpm and 160nm at 4240rpm (Saichs Dyno)
Modifications:
Stock exhaust with one 50mm-57mm freeflow box.
Standard airbox
Standard cam
Ex: 1970 Beetle 1300 twin-port
If you don't look back at your car after you park it, then you own the wrong car.
1997 Golf MK3 GSX (1.8 MP9)
Specs:
79.7kw at 5209rpm and 160nm at 4240rpm (Saichs Dyno)
Modifications:
Stock exhaust with one 50mm-57mm freeflow box.
Standard airbox
Standard cam
Ex: 1970 Beetle 1300 twin-port
If you don't look back at your car after you park it, then you own the wrong car.
- PapaJo
- Brigadier
- Posts: 6984
- Registered for: 13 years 11 months
- Car Make: VW's
- Car Model: '16 7R, '86 Caddy AUM 20VT
- Membership No: missing
- Location: Meyerton or Offshore Guyana.
Re: How to tell camshafts apart
Aftermarket VW cams as Panic said has engraving on telling you the duration. Reputable cam suppliers put a "S" for solid lifter or "H" for hydraulic lifter cam behind the cam duration.Dale wrote:To add to OP's question, Would you know if said cam is intended for hydraulic or solid lifter setup?panic-mechanic wrote:You cannot measure a loose cam using a dial gauge. Can only be done on an engine where it is installed.
But all aftermarket cams will have a marking on the one end showing it's duaration. If not then walk away as you won't know.
A solid lifter cam also has a larger base circle and lobes than a hydraulic cam.
- Ansell
- Cadet
- Posts: 181
- Registered for: 9 years 6 months
- Car Make: VW
- Car Model: 1997 Golf 3
- Location: Somerset West, Cape Town
Re: How to tell camshafts apart
Thanks PapJo, now ive learnt something new.
Current:
1997 Golf MK3 GSX (1.8 MP9)
Specs:
79.7kw at 5209rpm and 160nm at 4240rpm (Saichs Dyno)
Modifications:
Stock exhaust with one 50mm-57mm freeflow box.
Standard airbox
Standard cam
Ex: 1970 Beetle 1300 twin-port
If you don't look back at your car after you park it, then you own the wrong car.
1997 Golf MK3 GSX (1.8 MP9)
Specs:
79.7kw at 5209rpm and 160nm at 4240rpm (Saichs Dyno)
Modifications:
Stock exhaust with one 50mm-57mm freeflow box.
Standard airbox
Standard cam
Ex: 1970 Beetle 1300 twin-port
If you don't look back at your car after you park it, then you own the wrong car.
- Psycho8v
- Lieutenant-General
- Posts: 8523
- Registered for: 13 years 8 months
- Car Make: Vw
- Car Model: Citi Golf
- Membership No: 1881
- Location: Fochville