Words and photos by Jim Mozart

There’s little doubt about it. Performance camshafts can make a profound difference to the power output of an engine. However, choosing one can be a daunting task. To some, looking at camshaft specifications becomes bewildering, but it is generally understood that, when intelligently analyzed and carefully selected, that wild looking shaft with those weird looking bumps on it is the basis for producing horsepower.

Bear in mind that bigger in this case is not always better. Jeff Sams of Lunati said, “We get numerous calls every day with regards to choosing the correct camshaft profile for LS-style engines. And that’s what we’re here for. Everyone seems to like our Voodoo high lift series cams with more area under the lift curve which has very good driving characteristics.”

Choosing the correct “stick” with the proper lift and duration that matches your engine combination is a science all by itself. In that regard, it’s best to contact the camshaft manufacturer. But understanding the label on the camshaft box followed by other simple camshaft terminology can go a long way toward ensuring your purchase does exactly as planned.