alright i wont pretend to be an engine expert but my knowledge was always that a car with exception to an I4 always had dual overhead cams each lobe opening either the intake or exhaust valve over the cylinder heads. obviously i figured out i am wrong because i was recently enlightened that some cars like the LS1 motor have only one camshaft on the bottom. my question is how does an engine work with only one camshaft being on the bottom and is it more efficient or powerfull of an engine

 

this thread right here made me understand the camshaft

https://mustangforums.com/forum/4-6l-1996-2004-modular-mustang/333800-camshafts-explained.html

 

You are talking about a OHV or push rod engine. The crank still turns the cam but lifters ride the cam thru holes in the block and the push rods drop down from the heads and ride the lifters. The the lifter rides up the cam lobe it raises the push rod and the push rod pushes up on the rocker arm. Unlike ours a push rod engine rocker arm is bolted in place on a stud (some) and when the push rod pushes up the rocker pushes down on the valve to open it.

The only reason people like them over our engine is because there are much better heads for them and can build alot more power.

 

our cars dont have dual overhead cams...we have single overhead cams. one camshaft per bank. pushrod motors(motors with the camshaft on the bottom...in the inside of the motor) are a lot easier to modify and make power with. like the 5.0 mustangs. they are pushrod motors and they are one of the easiest cars to mod and make power with. you can do heads and cams for like $1000-$1500 and get like an extra 100hp or more. the overhead cam engines are better for gas mileage and efficiency but are more expensive to mod and the money/power ratio of overhead cam motors is not that great. pay a lot for mods and dont get much out of them...unless you go forced induction/nitrous.

 

thanks i kind of got it but the overhead cam theme is easier for me to understand then what is CAI or is that a new subject

 

CAI - Cold Air Intake= 50 +hp gains on our little 4.6's

 

Good site here for info http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine1.htm
CAI = Cold Air Intake

 

LOL Smart ***. Come on he is trying to learn.

It's more like .5 hp gains from a CAI

 

lol i know i just couldnt resist it!!!!! i bought my k&n cai from a member on this site that installed a turbo set up so i got it for 75.00 shipped. throttle responce was alittle crisper but the main thing that i liked was my gas milage went up buy 2-3 mpg. i have to keep track of my mileage for the IRS and the proof is in my numbers.Others might say its a lie but i see the results everytime i fill up. i wouldnt ever pay full price for one but if you can get a deal on one buy it.

 

yeah, and OP a dohc means it has 4 cams not two, 2 in each head

a single overhead cam or sohc means 1 in each head.

and as they said pushrod is one in the block, Mustangs used pushrods for a while from 95 and older( correct me if im wrong) i know for a fact all the 5.0s from 95 and older were pushrods im guessing the 289s and such were as well.