Just talked to Dave @ Hughes...

Killer6 said

Just so I'm clear yellow rose, you're stating companies that regrind stock cores are
ALL copying other grinders profiles that use blank cores? And before you even turn the
key on an engine w/a regrind, wouldn't you have detected the variation when setting up
the cam, degree-wise,lift-wise,& duration at the usual check points?
I have only dealt w/ Lunati,Crane,Comp,Mopar,& Cam Dynamics, as well as some
generic "bargain" cams(cust's mista--er choice.... one of which wouldn't idle"JCW"lol).
So I guess other than reducing the base circle,which many cams do,what prevents these
grinders from using proprietary profiles? Or is it just certain grinders that you've already
referenced, since OC was kind of tapped by DD for a number of slanty cams,doubtful if
those were copied from ?????
Since it sounds like you've spent capitol and sweat on this I guess I'm looking for
clarification and insight.Copying copies would fall under the accumulation of error effect,
which is well known in many fields.
:happy1:

Click to expand...

Well I had posted it once, but the mod decided to delete the whole post so once more, for clarity, I will post once more.

I don't know ANY cam REGRINDER that actually designs, develops and creates a cam lobe. They take know cams and COPY the existing lobe. When a cam is made, someone makes a MASTER lobe, and ALL successive lobes are made from the MASTER. A cam REGRINDER makes a MASTER from an EXISTING lobe, so they are making a copy from a copy. Does that make sense? It is almost IMPOSSIBLE to copy a lobe. That's why cam MANUFACTURERS make a MASTER to grind from.

I tried at length to copy a cam. I was paying $115.00 (my cost) for a cam I had use often, liked, and was going to use over and over and over. I could get a reground cam for $55.00 (my cost)! So why not do it? Because they were JUNK.JUNK.JUNK. Down on power. Every time. So, we decided to put them on new cores for 20 bucks more (we started out using used cores and thought the issue may be that and I'd still be saving money) and the result was the exact same. Every time I used the reground cam (on a used core) or the copy (on a new core) the results were the same. I can't how many times I had to pull the reground cam out on the dyno and replace it with the original and EVERY time it picked the power up. I will tell you we were trying to copy a Clay Smith grind. I can't tell you how much money I have wasted with this crap. That's why I'm saying not to do it.

Let's see if anyone learns. You can't copy a lobe and expect it to work. I don't care who the regrinder is.

There is a place for reground cams. Absolutely dead stock stuff (and then it can still be problematic) or when you can't get a replacement. But the fact is that almost all cam manufacturers can regrind FROM A MASTER, not a copy of a master.

Why even bother?