Okay, when it comes to choosing a camshaft, EVERYONE wants the brain of the engine to have the brawn of Superman, the mild-manners of Clark Kent, and the exhaust note of the most highly-compressed drum solo on the show circuit.

Camshaft technology has advanced (no pun intended) with the advent of fuel injection, roller lifters, improved engine design, and a better understanding of how to engineer a cam’s specs to get the most power possible. As an added bonus, today’s engineers were able to blend the best street performance with that oh-so-cool camshaft sound we all love. The main thing is to know what you want going in.

When designing a camshaft, knowing what doesn’t work is just as important as knowing what does. That is why companies such as Howards Cams can be such a resource when sourcing a camshaft. Howards Cams has been in business for over 75 years and they’ve seen a thing or two when it comes to what works and what doesn’t.

Many times, when shopping for a camshaft, enthusiasts go to the page in the catalog for their specific engine and then proceed all the way down to the bottom of the page where the big, thumpy, NASTY cams reside. While we enjoy a low-vacuum, raucous idle as much as the next guy, the reality is that happiness is most often found somewhere in the middle.

It’s not cool to be the king of the parking lot and then constantly endure the slow lane at “Gapplebees.” Howards Cams has created several lines of camshafts designed to give you exactly what you desire, so long as you tell them EXACTLY what that is! Its online camshaft recommendation considers many options, as well as various uses for the engine’s intended use. Options include overall horsepower, right down to fuel economy – and yes, folks do use that as a consideration.

When it comes time to choose a cam for your ride, don’t dwell in the deep end of the camshaft overlap pool or swoon over a thumpy post on social media. Go to the pros and find that perfect match for your application. You’ll be glad you did!