Good custom cam grinder in US

[mperdue]

Can anyone here recommend a good place to take my cam for a mild street performance grind? I've found several places on the web but I'd like a personal recommendation if possible. This isn't for my Z - it's for my other Datsun. No one makes an aftermarket cam for the A-series so a grind is the only option. I figured some of you could recommend a good shop. Thanks - Michael

[sblake01]

Nissan Motorsports has a nice cam for those engines. It's the 'GX' cam. Lift(I-E)/duration are .331"/.328"/256deg. It was actually made to go with the twin su setup they had for the A12 but it will fit in any A series but you must install new lifters with it. The Nissan part number for this cam is 13001-H5700 and for the stock lifters 13231-H1001, & the lightweight lifter (24 gr lighter than the oe lifter) 13231-M0820. It's a good grind for the street. Garry Kerr, who I seem to run into at all the local Datsun/Nissan shows, runs one in his A15 powered 65 NL320 pickup. There is one thing though, the OE lifters are about 10 bucks each and the lightweight ones are about 30 bucks each (x8) IIRC.

[HS30-H]

Hi Michael,

The Nissan Motorsports items are bound to be good ones, but don't ISKENDERIAN still make a couple of cams for the A-series? They were listed last time I looked at the Isky range. Worth giving them a try?

If not, then I know for sure that some of the Japanese shops still carry special cams for these engines. Let me know if you want me to look into it.

Cheers,

Alan T.

[mperdue]

Hi Stephen and Alan,

I didn't mean for the conversation to head OT into the A engine domain but I do appreciate the info.

There is an A-series "race cam #1" on the Nismo website, but it looked a little extreme for my application (.487/300degrees), and it also requires that you change the lifters which I'm tryign to avoid. As I understand it the "GX" cam will only work on A12 engines from the 1200. The later A12's, A14's and A15's had the distributor in a different location so numbers of gears on the cam changed. BUt I'm still looking into that as the info out there isn't clear. Having a part number for the GX cam will help - thanks Stephen.

Alan, I would really appreciate any more info you can find on Japanese cams for the A14. We should probably take it off-line though. And if anyone does have info on US grinders I'm still interested in that info too as that may be the option I end up with.

Michael

[Ron Carter]

Iskidarian would be my recomendation

[mperdue]

Is Isky short for Iskendarian? I did find the Isky website when I searched for Iskendarian, and they do offer cam grinds for my application and for L-series applications. It looks like they grind your cam, not produce new cams themselves as far as I can tell. Only $99 for my cam, ~$150 for L6.

michael

[Ron Carter]

Yes Iski is short for Iskendarian

[sblake01]

Michael, there are actually two GX cams that Nissan Motorsports lists. The part number I gave you is for the later center distributor engines. I have worked a little in the past with A motors and I'm familiar with the differences. The A12 and the non-USA A10 up to 73 are different from the A14, A15, and A12A which came later.

[bob m]

You might try "Elgin Cams" in Redwood City, Ca. Dema Elgin specializes in grinding cams and has been involved with sports car racing for years. I have had his company grind cams for me in the past and they worked fine. You should call him and tell him what you want, he will ask alot of questions about your motor, car and what you want.

Bob M.

[Ron Carter]

Not a bad idea bob m, but Iski ground cams for BRE back in the day...so they have been grinding racing cams for 35+ years for L6 motors.

[mperdue]

As you can see below I went with Isky. Thanks again for the recommendations. This grind was only about $100. SHould know how I like it by the end of the summer when it's back together.

michael

[keiths71240Z]

Delta Camshaft in Tacoma WA 800-562-5500

deltacam.com