Skip White Performance - We have the best prices you will ever find for aluminum heads, rotating assemblies and strokers
Skip White Performance
3349 E. Stone Dr.
Kingsport, TN 37660

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    • Camshaft Request

    Howdy folks, Skip White here. If you're diving into the world of camshaft selection for your V8, let me tell you—this ain't a choice you want to make on a hunch. Choosing the right cam is like picking the heart of your engine, and if you don't get it right, you're asking for a headache. That’s where we come in.

    Here’s why it pays to consult an expert like us:

    • 1. Your Performance Goals Matter: Whether you're gunning for massive low-end torque, top-end horsepower, or a smooth street cruiser, you need a cam that matches your goals. We’ve been building engines for decades, and trust me—getting the cam wrong can throw your whole build off.
    • 2. It’s All About the Combo: The cam has to work with the rest of your engine—heads, compression, intake, exhaust, and even your gearing. A mismatched cam can make your V8 run like a dog, no matter how much money you’ve thrown into the other parts. We know how to get the balance right.
    • 3. Years of Custom Experience: With all the custom builds we’ve done, we’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. Our experience means we can recommend the exact cam profile that’ll squeeze every bit of power out of your engine without compromising durability.
    • 4. Durability is Key: An improperly chosen cam can cause all sorts of problems—poor idle, valvetrain issues, or worse, catastrophic engine failure. We won’t let that happen to you. We make sure the cam fits the bill for your engine’s setup, so you get performance and reliability in one package.
    • 5. Tuning for Performance: When you step up to a more aggressive cam, you need to consider things like valve springs, lifters, pushrod length, and the right tune. We can guide you through that whole process and make sure you’re ready to hit the ground running.

    At Skip White Performance, we don't just sell cams—we live and breathe engine building. So, when you're ready to pick out the perfect cam for your V8, you can count on us to steer you in the right direction.

    - Skip White
    President, Skip White Performance

    Engine/Vehicle Details

    If you would like cam recommendations from our expert team, please fill out the form below. We'll do our homework and get back to you with what cam we think is best suited for you.

    What's your Phone Number (and text/voice preference) or Email
    Tell us about your vehicle, type/make/weight. A heavier vehicle will often use a camshaft with shorter duration (low-RPM power) to provide the necessary torque. Lighter vehicles may benefit from higher duration cams to maximize high-RPM horsepower.
    Bigger engines can tolerate larger cams because they can move more air. Smaller engines (e.g., a 302ci Small Block) may need smaller cams with less duration to avoid losing drivability and low-end performance.
    If you know it, you can use our compression ratio calculator if you need. Engines with high compression ratios (e.g., 10:1 or higher) can use cams with more duration and overlap because the higher pressure can compensate for the loss of cylinder pressure at lower RPMs. Lower compression engines (e.g., 8.5:1) often benefit from shorter duration cams to maintain cylinder pressure.
    Cruising, Street, Strip, Show Car, Marine, Off-Road, etc.
    It’s essential to match the cam to the lifter type for proper performance and longevity.
    Your performance goals for horsepower and torque will ultimately influence cam selection. What are your power requirements?
    What should it sound like. See below for details on each tone.
    Your Exhaust system will also be a factor, what type of setup are you running?
    If you know it. The size of the intake port runners on the cylinder heads affects airflow into the engine.
    What heads you do you plan on running? If you don't something picked out, tell us your budget and we try and will make a suggestion.
    What's on top of your engine?
    The Intake is major factor, tell us the details.
    example, 4.10:1 or 3.56:1
    Diameter in inches, or prop information.
    Manual transmission cars can handle a more aggressive cam because the driver controls the RPM range. Automatic transmissions, especially without a high-stall torque converter, often require a cam designed for low- to mid-range power to ensure smooth operation and drivability.
    Tell us more about your vehicles transmission
    If you don't have an automatic, skip this. The stall speed of a torque converter determines at what RPM the engine will begin to engage under load.

    V8 Camshaft Sounds

    Explore the unique sounds produced by different cam profiles in a V8 engine.

    Cam Type: Performance cams with high duration and overlap.

    Sound: A rough, uneven, aggressive idle, characterized by a series of deep “bumps” or pulses.

    Why it happens: High-duration cams keep the intake and exhaust valves open longer, creating valve overlap and inefficient combustion at idle, resulting in the lopey sound.

    Example: Hot rods or muscle cars with large aftermarket cams (e.g., 350 Chevy with a big cam).

    Cam Type: Stock or mild performance cams with low duration and overlap.

    Sound: A steady, smooth idle with no noticeable "lope" or roughness.

    Why it happens: Low-duration cams have little valve overlap, resulting in efficient combustion at low RPMs and a smooth idle.

    Example: Stock engines like a Ford 5.0 or GM LS1.

    Cam Type: Moderate performance cams with medium duration and overlap.

    Sound: A rhythmic "thump-thump-thump" at idle, not as rough as a lopey idle, but still aggressive.

    Why it happens: Moderate overlap causes some disruption in combustion, producing a noticeable but not extreme sound.

    Example: Street performance engines like a small block Chevy with a 280H cam.

    Cam Type: High-revving, high-performance cams.

    Sound: A sharp, raspy, high-pitched exhaust note, often heard at high RPMs.

    Why it happens: The cam profile allows the engine to move air efficiently at high RPMs, creating a less refined, high-pitched sound.

    Example: Small block race motors or drag cars revving above 8,000 RPM.

    Cam Type: Aggressive street-performance camshafts.

    Sound: A deep, throaty rumble that’s smooth at idle but growls when you hit the throttle.

    Why it happens: These cams are designed for a balance of performance and drivability, providing an iconic rumble.

    Example: Classic muscle cars like a 454 Big Block Chevy.

    Cam Type: Roller cams with high lift but low overlap.

    Sound: A refined, powerful sound with a smooth idle and strong acceleration.

    Why it happens: Modern roller cams are designed for high performance with less valve overlap, resulting in efficient combustion and a smoother tone.

    Example: Late-model performance builds like an LS3 with an upgraded camshaft.