What part of your tune up is such a departure from competitive engines that the cam has to be different?
Excellent question. Many feel that they will benefit more from a special grind verses off the shelf stuff. Just not true, especially if you are using off the shelf parts for everything else and building in the 550 or under HP range. On the second part of the OP's question, it is always smart to get a few different cam vendors opinions when you are looking for a custom grind. Fill out their web sight form and send it in.
This IS the problem. If you don't flow the intake system, don't know all the numbers then off the shelf is probably good enough. But no 2 engines are ever exactly alike.
What I can't grasp is why is it a big deal to pay the same (or even a few $$$ more) to get a cam that is spec'd to YOUR cmbination. If you don't think it's a big deal, make up 3 engines, all with slightly different specs i.e. one with a dual plane, one with big headers and one with 1 point more compression. Then call and get cam grinds called out for each one. Something there to learn.
