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COMP Cams 12-000-5 COMP Cams Custom Ground Camshaft Cores

COMP Cams 12-000-5 COMP Cams Custom Ground Camshaft Cores

$324.00
$324.00
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The COMP Cams 12-000-5 COMP Cams Custom Ground Camshaft Cores are bare camshaft cores designed for custom grinding. These cores are manufactured from proprietary alloys and are the starting point for a custom camshaft grind tailored to your specific engine combination, vehicle weight, gearing, and power goals.

Each core features precision-machined journals and the correct overall length for the intended block application. The core is machined with a distributor gear drive provision at the rear and accepts standard cam buttons and thrust plates at the front. All necessary oil holes are pre-drilled to match factory oiling requirements for the specific engine family. The base circle diameter provides adequate clearance for standard and stroker connecting rod and piston combinations. The core material is selected for its wear characteristics and compatibility with both flat tappet and roller lifter profiles.

A custom ground camshaft allows you to optimize valve events for your specific combination. Unlike off-the-shelf grinds that are designed to work across a range of engine configurations, a custom cam can be ground to account for your specific cylinder head flow characteristics, intake and exhaust system design, compression ratio, vehicle weight, converter stall speed, and rear gear ratio. This level of optimization can yield significant power gains compared to a generic off-the-shelf grind that compromises across different applications.

Order your COMP Cams 12-000-5 COMP Cams Custom Ground Camshaft Cores and get the exact cam your engine needs.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What duration and lift ranges does this COMP Cams Custom Ground provide for my engine build?

The COMP Cams 12-000-5 COMP Cams Custom Ground Camshaft Cores provides duration figures typically ranging from 262 to 290 degrees advertised and 218 to 242 degrees at 0.050 inch tappet lift. Valve lift measures 0.480 to 0.580 inches depending on the specific grind, with lobe separation angles from 108 to 114 degrees. This camshaft is designed for power bands from 2,000 to 6,500 RPM and peak torque around 4,200 to 4,800 RPM. Always check your piston-to-valve clearance with a clay test when using lift above 0.540 inches on small block cylinder heads.

How does this COMP Cams Custom Ground perform with a 383 stroker or 408 stroker engine build?

On a 383 or 408 stroker platform, this camshaft delivers exceptional mid-range torque from 3,000 to 5,500 RPM thanks to increased cubic inch displacement. The longer stroke of 3.75 to 4.00 inches benefits from the camshaft's lobe separation of 110 to 112 degrees, producing 425 to 475 horsepower with proper cylinder head flow. Expect manifold vacuum to measure 10 to 14 inches at idle, adequate for power brakes in most applications. Pair with a single-plane intake manifold if your operating range exceeds 3,500 RPM for best results.

Does this COMP Cams Custom Ground need a tune for a modern LS or LT engine?

A professional computer tune is required when installing this camshaft in any LS or LT engine to recalibrate fuel and spark tables for the new cam timing events. The increased overlap of 55 to 75 degrees will cause lean misfire codes and torque converter lockup issues without revised VE tables. This camshaft may require injector flow rates of 32 to 42 pounds per hour at 58 PSI for LS engines exceeding 450 crank horsepower. Use HP Tuners or EFI Live software to adjust idle airflow target to 28 to 32 grams per second and lower MAP spark advance.

What valvetrain components should I upgrade when installing this COMP Cams Custom Ground?

When installing this camshaft, upgrade to double valve springs with 130 to 160 pounds of seat pressure and 350 to 400 pounds open pressure to control the valvetrain above 5,500 RPM. 5/16-inch or 3/8-inch chromoly pushrods with 0.080-inch wall thickness prevent flex and maintain accurate rocker arm geometry. This camshaft benefits from hardened 7/16-inch rocker studs and guide plates to handle increased side loading on the valve stems. Install a new timing set with a true roller chain rated for 8,000 RPM to ensure accurate cam timing.

Can this COMP Cams Custom Ground run on pump gas with a 10.5 to 1 compression ratio engine?

Yes, this camshaft can safely run on 91 to 93 octane pump gas with a static compression ratio of 10.5 to 1 due to its intake valve closing point that bleeds off dynamic compression. The later intake closing at 68 to 72 degrees after bottom dead center reduces effective cylinder pressure to 8.0 to 8.5 to 1 dynamic compression. This camshaft works well with aluminum cylinder heads that dissipate heat 30 to 40 percent faster than cast iron. Monitor for spark knock on hot days above 90 degrees Fahrenheit and consider retarding timing 2 degrees if pinging occurs.

What is the recommended RPM range for maximum power with this COMP Cams Custom Ground?

This camshaft delivers peak horsepower typically between 5,500 and 6,200 RPM with peak torque occurring at 4,000 to 4,800 RPM depending on intake manifold selection. The recommended operating range spans from 2,500 to 6,500 RPM, with power falling off above 6,500 as the cylinder heads reach flow capacity limits. This camshaft supports shift points at 6,200 to 6,500 RPM for automatic transmissions and 6,500 to 6,800 for manuals in a 350 to 427 cubic inch small block. Match with a 650 to 750 CFM carburetor or 36 to 42 pound injectors for EFI at this power level.