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  Above are three cams,  Can you guess which one has the largest Duration and Lift

The point we are trying to make is that all three cams have the same lift (L) and duration (D).
As you can see they are obviously  not even close to being the same.
If cam "B" is the correct design then cam "A" would have more Low End but produce less H.P.
and be more likely to float the valves.

Cam "C" would have lots of Top End but would produce a very narrow power band and be very
hard on the valve train since the valves would be opening so fast,

As you can see it is nearly impossible to compare or evaluate cams by the "numbers" only. 

So when it comes time to pick a cam it is wise to get advice from some one who has tried a verity of cams in motor's similar to the one you will installed it in.

Stock cams as used in the 1200cc to1600cc VW motor had 225 degrees duration with 285/300 lift.
Most new engine builders have a tendency to over cam there first several motors, First time engine builders are warned about  " Over C's "  It's very easy to Over Cam, Over Carb and Over Compression until your on your 4th or 5th motor. 
We give the following Rule of  Thumb suggestion on picking your first cam. And we realize that every "Rule of Thumb" is made to be broken, but please don't go wild until you gain some experience building VW motors.

-- Rule Of Thumb for picking you VW Cam --
One Carb with single throat .........Maximum Duration of 275 degrees
One Carb with Dual throats .........Maximum Duration of 285 degrees
Dual Carbs ( The carb's do not limit duration as with single carb use. )
 
If you need help picking a cam, first gather up as much information as you can, and then head out to your local engine builder. Remember you wont necessarily get the correct information from man down the street who has the fastest VW in town. Better find out who built his motor and take all your information to the experienced motor builder.

If you are on a tight budget you might be considering a reground cam and lifters. My opinion is to save money some place else. When a cam is reground the base circle gets smaller and smaller and when reground lifters are also used the lifter starts coming out of the lifter bore. We won't even get into the surface hardness of the cam and lifters. Use a new cam and break it in as recommended. 

Valve Train & Cam Gears - *ck
 AP Performance Cams -> Order          New 36hp cam -> Order        Push Rod Tubes "Replacement type"-> order

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Victor Comp. Products Inc. **--Vic's--**Phone 816-650-3535 • 230 S Hudson St., Buckner, Missouri, 64016, US