I don't know if it's because I'm getting older and the stories are just accumulating or if there really has been an extreme epidemic of new cams getting wiped before the 2k mile mark.

I've heard all the stories.
Crap used in the Chinese forgings.
Companies becoming the Walmart of valve trains and skipping on QA/QC.
Oil formulation changes in the last few years for the worse.
Plus the eternal ever standard: "did ya break it in properly?".

It's happening in all the engines, from garage builds to pro builds.

I wish ASTM would do a comprehensive study on this but that ain't gonna happen.

The podium is now open....