350x cam questions

[jsimonh]

I have read everything that I could about cams for my 350 here and on .org, but still have a couple of questions. I'm not really wanting to get into new rockers/performance springs, etc... so I was thinking of the "drop in" cam that web cam offers.
My questions are:
Will a cam like this make any difference?
Would a higher comp piston be better?
A combo of both or neither?

I don't want to do anything at all to japerdize(sp?) realiability. What do you guys think? put it back stock or just cam it?

I'm looking for more acceleration and overall power, not really anymore speed.

[Somekindofjerk]

Just put in a high comp piston. Putting in a cam changes your intake vacume and requires you tear down most of your topend anyway. I would just go with the high comp.

[TRI-Zbrian]

if you are going to tare down the top end any way you might as well rebuild it with a high compression piston while you are at it and maybe get the head ported also... it will benifit that much more with porting...

[NOS_350X]

I love the drop in cam i have, it turns your 350x into a tractor. Sooooo much low rpm torque its amazing. You can easly change the cam by just taking off the rockerbox, about a 3or4 in dificulity (with 10 being the hardest) and to save some reliability it would be better than putting a higher compression piston. BUT you can do alot to those engines and keep extremely high reliability.

[jsimonh]

From what I gathered reading, running the higher comp piston makes a ton of difference, but it may take away some of the reliability. I have ran a cam in my old AutoX and really liked it. I may just cam it. I just bought a "new" cylinder and piston kit off of ebay. It comes with everything you need rings/piston/jug etc.. I also got new valves and springs coming. I'll just go with a drop in and see what happens.

[jason 32]

well i would suggest that you get the valve springs as well- not the racing high dollar ones ,they should have some that are drop in as well,
opening up the ports will really help while your at it
also the new valves will need to be ground with new seats,

[jsimonh]

well i would suggest that you get the valve springs as well- not the racing high dollar ones ,they should have some that are drop in as well,
opening up the ports will really help while your at it
also the new valves will need to be ground with new seats,

Forgive me for being ignorant, but could you elaborate on this for me a little? When I did my AutoX (which is the only other Thumper I've worked on) I didn't have to mess with valves or springs. The springs coming are supposed to be "high performance", but the valves are versa(sp?). Will I need to take it to a shop to be fitted?

[NOS_350X]

Will I need to take it to a shop to be fitted?

No, go to a auto parts store, and pick up some valve grinding compound, and set the valves. Spinning the valve with the compound on the valve.

[Mobular]

ALways resurface and Parkerize the rocker faces!They will have worn to match the old cam. Resurfacing will make them flt again and allow proper break-in/mating with the new cam.

[sandpuppi101]

Go with a mild cam set-up,if you are going to be riding anything hard I would'nt go all hi compression,myself!! You need reliability when your miles from any town on some trail rather than running faster laps!! And I would get the heads redone and check for bent valve's and such and like what was said by mobular about the rocker faces....

[Eric250R]

I have a web cam and wiseco piston in my X, I still have the factory springs, rockers, all of it, and it runs great and has for many reliable years. Don't get me wrong, surfacing your rockers would be a good idea, although I didn't. Just telling you that I did the drop in cam deal and piston and it worked out great for me.

[jsimonh]

Well I just ordered the Powroll mild cam. 195 bucks shiped! I've got a new jug/piston, and new valves/high performance springs coming. Could you guys explain to me a little more about the rockers? Do I need to buy new ones from somewhere or take mine to a shop? Can I get by without doing anything to them? I gather from reading post like Eric250r's and talking to NOS_350x that I could probably get by without doing anything other than installing what I've already got.

"ALways resurface and Parkerize the rocker faces!They will have worn to match the old cam. Resurfacing will make them flt again and allow proper break-in/mating with the new cam."

More info please! You guys are helping me a whole bunch. I'm getting more confident in what I'm fixing to do, but there still seems to be alot that I don't know.

[jason 32]

yea you need to have the new valves and seats matched up--(ground) to have a proper seat- so they dont leak
lapping is ok if they were fitted together once before-
springs- well they ware out over time and loose tension- and that will keep the valves from closing fast,and tight enough, and will allow the valves to float-(stay open at higher rpms)
not a hard job - or expensive , but really nesacery!!!/ needed
local machene shop can do it for you - if not local-- mail it

[Mobular]

You could buy new rockers. They will be true flat and ready to install. but are rather expensive.
Take your old ones in to a cam shop and have them measure, machine and Parkerize them. Much more affordable. If memory serve correctly, mine were done for $20 per, a few years back.