These numbers are provided as technical reference for anyone building a Lada engine and experiencing difficulty choosing a replacement or performance camshaft.

Understanding how different camshaft specifications change the behavior of an engine and the way power is developed is the foundation of choosing the correct performance camshaft for your application.

This general overview of camshaft specification and their effects may help clear up the mystery of cam specs.

Lift

Lift is the amount the camshaft pushes the valve into the combustion chamber to allow air to enter of exhaust to escape. It is typically measured in millimeters, and is a combination of camshaft lobe lift, multiplied by the rocker arm ratio. In the case of the Lada, the rocker ratio is 1.5:1. The factory camshaft has 6.42 mm of lobe lift X by rocker ratio 1.5 = 9.63mm valve lift.

Short duration camshafts with high lift generally make an engine responsive, allowing it to climb the RPM range quickly. At high RPM a higher Lift cam will also increase duration and may require stronger valve springs. Lift can be limited by piston-to-valve clearances and some engine combinations may not flow enough air to support additional valve lift.

Generally increasing camshaft lift, without changing duration, can yield more horsepower without altering the nature and range of the power curve.

Duration

Duration is the amount of angle, in degrees of crankshaft rotation that the valve is open during the lifting cycle of the camshaft lobe. It can be thought of as how long the valve is open to allow air to enter the cylinder or exhaust to escape. However it is not measured as time, as the actual open and close time changes wildly with engine speed. Due to this, Duration is expressed in degrees of crankshaft rotation.

Small/Short duration camshafts will generally have a stable idle, and produce good low-RPM power and good torque, but may have a fall off point in the RPM range where power production reduces suddenly.

Large/Long duration camshafts may have a slight lope to rough idle, but will produce greater horsepower at high RPM and the peak power figure will occur at a higher RPM number. Engine peak torque may be reduced and low speed engine performance may suffer. Large duration cams are well-suited to conditions where the engine RPM can be maintained at an ideal high, such as racing, but can be difficult to drive at lower RPM such as on the street or commuting.

Advance/Retard

Camshaft can be installed “straight-up” which is perfectly aligned with the piston at top dead center. However a camshaft can be installed either advanced (sooner) or retarded (later) of the 0 degree centerline. This can be done intentionally to change the behavior of an engine, if done accidentally, such as through inaccurate installation or manufacture, it can cause unexpected negative effects to engine power production.

An Advanced Camshaft Install compared to OEM 0 degree install, the engine will build more low-end torque and peak horsepower will occur at lower RPM and be a lower number.

A Retarded Camshaft Install compared to OEM 0 degree install, the engine will build less low-end torque and peak horsepower will occur at higher RPM and be a greater number.

If the engine timing chain and tension system is out of specification, it can allow the camshaft to advance and retard in an uncontrolled manner which will contribute to erratic camshaft timing and deliver poor engine performance.

Camshaft installation angle outside of 0 degrees can have a large impact on piston to valve clearance, especially when installing a larger lift or longer duration than OEM, so be sure to check all clearances before starting the engine or expensive damage can result.

Lada Camshaft Specifications

Lift numbers are at the valve and expressed in millimeters (mm)

Duration is expressed in degrees

*Also listed, popular camshafts specifications for similar series of Fiat/Lancia for comparison purposes.*

Havassey Camshafts Applications and Observations

Provided by Nagy Emil

These profiles below are some of the best ones available. I especially like these camshafts, because they are surface treated, even the regrind ones. Biggest street cam that I recommend is the 296 degree duration.

You can reduce idle rpm and incoherence at low RPM (Idle surge & Slow response) with improving engine breathing, like porting the head, using twin 40/45 carbs (Weber DCOE or Dellorto DHLA), and bigger valves.

To cut costs, I use Volkswagen Mark 2 GOLF GTI springs and retainers. There is a model which has 8 mm valve stems, some require modifying the inside angle of the retainer, for allowing the usage of Lada valve cotters/retainers.

For bigger cams, higher Compression Ratio is necessary, if you want to enjoy the engine and to make it reliable, these modifications will increase engine life:

• Metallic head gasket,
• Forged pistons with a high dome (the guys from Hungary use dome Ross Racing Pistons to avoid skimming the head and block, H rods),
• Supporting the wall with welding in the cylinder head or using cylinder heads that are factory reinforced for leaded fuel.

If you want performance and high lift camshaft, I personally learned that cutting the corners isn’t a solution, you’ll discover 99 ways to blow the engine, and the total cost will be higher at a scarce reliability.

Street Cam

This is a regrind cam that has stock valve lift of 9.6mm and an additional 28 degrees of duration. This camshaft should be used in higher compression ratios than stock, (above 8.5:1) does not require special valve springs. Minimum idle speed of 800-900 RPM. Set valve lash to 0.15.

Street/Track Cam

This is a regrind cam that has 1.4mm additional lift and additional 52 degrees of duration. This camshaft requires 10.8:1 compression ratio, requires stronger valve springs. Minimum idle speed of 1000-1100 RPM. Set valve lash to 0.20.

Track Cam

This is a regrind cam that is a poor choice for street use, has 1.7mm additional lift and additional 68 degrees of duration. This camshaft requires 11.4:1 compression ratio, requires stronger valve springs. Minimum idle speed of 1200+ RPM. Set valve lash to 0.20.

Split Profile (Asymmetrical) Cam

This is a regrind cam, has 2.4mm additional lift and additional 72 degrees of duration on the Intake side. The Exhaust specifications are 1.8mm additional lift and additional 60 degrees of duration.  This camshaft requires 11.4-11.8:1 compression ratio, requires stronger valve springs. Minimum idle speed of 1200-1500 RPM. Set valve lash to 0.20 for Intake and 0.25 for Exhaust Valve.

Big Base Circle Cam

This is a new manufacture steel camshaft, it has a larger base circle which allows much larger valve lift, but will require internal engine modification to avoid valve damage. Has 3.4mm additional lift and additional 72 degrees of duration on the Intake side. The Exhaust specifications are 4.3mm additional lift and additional 60 degrees of duration.  This camshaft requires 11.8:1+ compression ratio, requires stronger valve springs. Minimum idle speed of 1500+ RPM. Set valve lash to 0.25 for Intake and 0.30 for Exhaust Valve.

Sources and Contributors:

Lada Moscow

Thanks to Nagy Emil for Specifications and Observations on Havassy camshafts!

Lunati Camshafts

Hot Rod Magazine

If you see any errors, or have additional information to contribute, please place it in the comments below and it will be included in the next list revision.