so, i was wondering what is a cam, and what do the numbers mean? someone help me.

 

L.
O.
L.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/camshaft.htm

 

Most folks do not mind answering what we think are dumb questions. I know i am one to stick up for a lot of kids who get flamed for their questions, but damn man, if you dont knowstuff like that, save yourself some embarrasment and just google it. I'm sorry, it has been a rough morning. Now what was your question?

 

i didnt want to google it, i didnt make myself clear, i meant to ask whats the relation with the numbers from the cam and how the engine preforms. i know what it is and how it work, but i dont understand how/ why it makes the engine act the way it does.

 

Higher duration means bigger gulps of air... giving it the "lobing" sound. That's why a huge cam in a stock motor is pointless if the heads are restricting the big gulps of air.

Feel free to correct that if it's wrong...

 

so the duration makes it breathe air, what about the other 2 numbers 1 is the exhale of air right and the other is ????

 

There's an intake lobe and exhaust lobe on the intake the lift is how far the valve will open and the duration is how long the valve stays open the same goes for the exhaust except were as the intake valve opens to allow the air fuel mixture to enter the cumbustion chamber to be ignited to produce power the exhaust valve opens to expel the gases produced after the ignition of the exhaust gases after power is done being produced....this is the simplest way to explain it without getting all technical about the different strokes throughout the cumbustion process and technical aspects of cam timing....

 

thanks that's what i was looking for.