Howards Cams Street Force 4 Hydraulic Roller Camshafts

Howards Cams Street Force 4 hydraulic roller camshafts are high performance models designed for car enthusiasts who want a rough, lopey idle and significant power improvements in the mid-to-high RPM range. Their specific grinds determine each cam's unique performance characteristics. What the specifications mean: * Hydraulic roller: This describes the type of lifter the camshaft is designed for. Hydraulic roller lifters use a wheel-like roller on the end that rides along the cam lobe. This design significantly reduces friction and allows for more aggressive lobe profiles compared to older flat-tappet designs. * Street Force 4: This is a series of performance camshafts from Howards Cams. The "4" indicates it is the most aggressive grind in the series, designed for optimal street performance and mild drag racing. * Performance enhancements: Compared to a stock camshaft, the Street Force 4 offers: -- A longer duration (how long the valves stay open) for more airflow at higher RPMs -- Higher lift (how far the valves open) to allow more air and fuel to enter the combustion chamber * Engine characteristics: The design of this cam results in: -- A noticeable lopey or "choppy" idle due to the valve overlap -- Higher horsepower and torque, particularly at mid-range to high engine speeds * Supporting modifications: Because of their aggressive profile, Street Force 4 camshafts generally require other engine modifications for proper performance, such as: -- A higher-stall torque converter (2,800 to 3,500 rpm) -- An upgraded intake manifold and carburetor -- Improved headers and exhaust system -- An upgraded ignition system ** How a camshaft works A camshaft is a rotating shaft with a series of lobes (or cams) that controls the timing of the engine's valves. -- Controls valves: As the camshaft turns, the lobes push on the valve lifters, which in turn open and close the intake and exhaust valves. -- Engine timing: This process must be precisely synchronized with the movement of the pistons to ensure that the air/fuel mixture enters and the exhaust gases exit at the correct times during the engine's four-stroke cycle. -- Performance: The shape of the cam lobes is engineered to determine how long and how far the valves are open, which is the key factor that determines an engine's power band. Show Less