If you own a muscle car or you are currently working on a project car, then you already know how useful camshafts are. A perfect camshaft can bring a balance between power and performance to your dream car. Two popular choices are Howards Cam and Comp Cam. So, what is the difference between Howards Cam Vs Comp Cam?
Both Howards cams and comp cams have quite similar appearances. But the main difference comes with their uses; Howards cams are meant more for street-style racing, whereas Comp cams are targets towards stock torque converters.
So, if you are confused about which cam you need between these two, our guide is the perfect starting point for you.
Table of Contents show
Howards Cam Vs Comp Cam – Let’s Break The Differences
The table will show the quick and short differences between Howards Cam and Comp Cam.
| Criteria | Howards Cam | Comp Cam |
| Lift | Less (Street style racing design) | More (Aggressive design) |
| Duration | Higher | Lower |
| LSA | Wider | Lower |
| Price | More | Less |
Overview of Howards Cams
Howards is a reputable brand in performance thanks to more than 75 years of study and design. They produce premium camshafts that give your automobile the ideal amount of power.
The Howards Cams maintain controllability whilst generating reliable power and a vintage growl. They have broader lobe centers to increase air velocity and employ a faster ramp rate.
Good Sides
- Comes with wider lobes which increase the torque
- Suited to street-style racing
- Uses the most premium-grade quality racing cores
Bad Sides
- Not meant for stock torque converters
Overview of Comp Cams
The valve train and camshafts accessories are COMP Cams primary product lines. The COMP Cams camshafts function more aggressively in real-world situations.
Street grinds are available but won’t be as useful as other options. It has some powerful lobes and extremely strong energy. Yet, they are reasonably priced and will create a cam tailored to your requirements.
Good Sides
- Comes with an aggressive lobe design
- Designed for stock torque converters
- Quite durable in the long run
Bad Sides
- Not meant for street-style racing
Common Differences Between Howards Cam Vs Comp Cam
You need to consider many factors when picking the right cam for your dream car. Down below, we will talk about the main differences between Howards Cams and Comp Cams.
Lift
According to OnAllCylinders Staff, Lift is one of the main factors while choosing a camshaft. The primary job of the cam is to open the valves. The term “lift” describes how high a valve is raised off its seat as well as how high a valve opens inside a cylinder.
More intake lift enables the cylinder to receive extra gas and air, hence, ideally, generating more power.
Generally speaking, Comp cams are designed with a more aggressive design which means the lift will also be more when compared to the same type of camshaft from Howards.
Duration
Duration is the length of time the valve is kept off its seat by the camshaft lobe. It is measured in crankshaft rotational degrees. By extending the duration, you may keep the valves open for a longer period of time and feed more air and fuel into the chambers of the torquey engine.
Longer-duration cams perform better at higher rpm levels, whereas shorter-duration cams are useful for low-speed performance.
So, aggressive cams open and close quickly compared to street-style camshafts. The Howards cams will have a higher duration than the Comp cams.
Lobe Separation Angle – LSA
This is the alignment of the intake and exhaust lobe lane dividers. It is the number of degrees between the inlet and output cam lobes’ maximum lift positions. LSA contributes to understanding cam action.
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Therefore, the less overlapping between the intake entrance and the exhaust shutting, the broader the LSA will be. This results in an increased engine vacuum, greater idling condition, and a broader range of RPMs, but at the expense of decreased power at low and moderate rpm.
Both Howards cams and Comp cams offer camshafts with different LSA angles. But, still, for street racing, you are looking at the wider LSA offered by Howards Cams. But, just for higher RPM and more power, you will need lower LSA, which is more available in Comp Cams.
Price
Price is another factor that plays a role when we are talking about buying camshafts. The ultimate choice is always dependent on your budget. Comp Cams are available between $159-$600. Whereas Howard cams are a bit more expensive on the contrary; you can find them between $199-$899.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What factors should I consider when buying a camshaft?
When purchasing a camshaft, you must take into account three things. The first is that cylinder head flow is crucial, and you should also examine the movement in the rpm range and the proportion of intake to exhaust flow.
How do I identify Comp Cams?
Each engine family is given a two-number identifier by COMP Cams. The very first two digits of this code often indicate the exact cam component number for the LS engine.
Are Howard’s camshafts made in the USA?
Howards company was established back in 1945 and has been in the market for more than 75 years, making quality full camshafts. They are fully made in the USA.
Which is the Best Choice for you?
So far we have discussed the basic differentiation between Howards cam Vs Comp Cam. Both of these camshafts are well renowned in the market and built with American technology.
When comparing these two cams, we have seen that both offer a huge array of different types and quality camshafts with different specs. Hence, the correct choice for you depends on your specs and car model.
However, even if they both make similar types of cam but both are intended for different purposes. So, before choosing the camshaft, you will need to check your car well, along with other factors like engine, tires, flywheels, and others.
Technically, Howards cams have more options for camshafts than Comp cams. Moreover, if you are looking for a camshaft for street-style racing, then Howards cams are the better choice.
Nonetheless, for the stock torque converter and muscle car, which needs more power and RPM Comp cams can be a better choice. Once perfectly paired and adjusted with your car, the best camshaft can provide the ultimate performance and power.
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