Camshafts, idle quality, driveability and LSA-REAL WORLD EXP and OPINION

RAMM said
So you went a single degree tighter on the LSA and added over 10 degrees @ .050" and in the process dropping 75 psi cranking and winding up @ 150 psi and you were surprised that idle was so much poorer? Not surprising in the least.To sum up--You had a big cam on a tight LSA and then you installed a much bigger cam on an even tighter LSA and you witnessed a much poorer idle? You don't say? You are obviously an astute tuner and a cam with a tight LSA is probably right up your alley anyways. The intake valve closing is important for sure but what it AND the exhaust are doing at the same time is more important-at least in my observations. J.Rob

Never said I was surprised. I just flat out didn't know what to expect being a novice to hot rodding. This car is my first muscle car, the first time I had ever had an engine rebuilt, first time tuning a carb the way I did, well first everything really. I had a steep learning curve and knowing what I do now, the outcome doesn't surprise me looking back. If I had the chance in the future, I'd tweak the cam to have better idle characteristics. But other than that, the car runs like I want it to. Seems like the more I try to learn, the less I feel like I actually know!