DKS Cams

NOT THE BLUE LAMPSHADE · 01-22-2006

I was just wondering what any of you think of or have heard about DKS cams. They're pretty much the same as HKS but I question the quality. Let me know what you guys think.

http://www.ffwdconnection.com/cams.shtml

272s for $350!!!!!

Jakey · 01-22-2006

Search anyone?
http://dsmstyle.com/forums/showthrea...highlight=cams

NOT THE BLUE LAMPSHADE · 01-22-2006

When I typed DKS in the search nothing came up. I figured that's all I'd have to search for.

PSI2HI · 01-26-2006

I installed a set of these for a customer, im a little iffy on them as they send a bag of washers they say to use in case there is to much play in the lifters. I haven't heard anything back from the customer so i assume everything is still well, but it still seemed a little half ass to me. Looks like someone needs to do a head to head test!!

**Halon** · 01-26-2006

Yes I just heard about this. They send some "shims" to put under your lifters. HKS's don't come with this do they? Is this safe to have these loose washer things inside your head?

**JET** · 01-26-2006

No, HKS doesn't have those. They sound like regrinds so they are actually a little smaller. If they made larger ratio rocker arms they might be viable.

niterydr · 01-26-2006

They do sound like regrinds.
Nothing is wrong with regrinds as long as you maintain the same clearance between the cam follower and the cam. (I hoped you guys checked that SLS).
The valvetrain geometry changes, but is very negligible, especially on a HLA system.
As far as shimming your HLA's. People have been doing this for years. Its not bad if done correctly, and since they are in the head, below the HLA, I wouldn't worry about it.
The important part is to maintain proper clearances between the cam follower (rocker) and the cam. To tight, and you could collapse the HLA, to loose, and you could send it on a trip somewhere else in the head or through the valve cover.
Have fun!

TheBlizzard · 01-26-2006

You don't need all the valves working anyway to make power. Andys car made 440whp with only 15 valves.

Its all in the tuning.

On topic though, they look decent for the price. But I would be skeptical of the quality.

**Shane@DBPerformance** · 01-26-2006

They saw right under the picture that they are regrinds. Whether theirs are good or bad needs to be determined. Dealing with shims is a downside. The original Crower cams were supposed to be copies of the HKS cams also, and they didn't quite live up to it.

**JET** · 01-26-2006

If you think about a regrind, it will never get more lift than the original. If they are using stock cams for the blank, they aren't going to work great without a larger ratio on the rocker arm to produce more effective lift.

**1ViciousGSX** · 01-26-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by JET

If you think about a regrind, it will never get more lift than the original. If they are using stock cams for the blank, they aren't going to work great without a larger ratio on the rocker arm to produce more effective lift.

Not sure if that statement is true. Think about why they are called "re-grinds". The reason for the shims is because the base circle of the cam is ground to a smaller diameter, to increase the lift of the cam in relation to the follower. If you make the base circle smaller, it makes the lobe bigger. The shims take up the difference.

Matt D. · 01-26-2006

From what I've always understood is that a regrind is where they weld a cam up then grind it down to where it should be. Therefore the base circle and lobe wouldn't be all out of proportion.

Outlaw1 · 01-26-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ViciousGSX

Not sure if that statement is true. Think about why they are called "re-grinds". The reason for the shims is because the base circle of the cam is ground to a smaller diameter, to increase the lift of the cam in relation to the follower. If you make the base circle smaller, it makes the lobe bigger. The shims take up the difference.

You are correct.

**JET** · 01-26-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ViciousGSX

Not sure if that statement is true. Think about why they are called "re-grinds". The reason for the shims is because the base circle of the cam is ground to a smaller diameter, to increase the lift of the cam in relation to the follower. If you make the base circle smaller, it makes the lobe bigger. The shims take up the difference.

That makes sense and would explain the shims. Hopefully they are getting them re-heat treated properly.

riderevolution · 01-26-2006

I would not spend the money on those cams! Pay a little more and go fp's or hks!

**1ViciousGSX** · 01-26-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by riderevolution

I would not spend the money on those cams! Pay a little more and go fp's or hks!

Agreed.

niterydr · 01-26-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt D.

From what I've always understood is that a regrind is where they weld a cam up then grind it down to where it should be. Therefore the base circle and lobe wouldn't be all out of proportion.

That would be a "hardweld" cam.
It uses a "spray" welding technique. The regrinds are just like vicious mentioned, cutting down on the base circle. Therfore you need to shim your lifter, or in our case a HLA so the radio maintains similar to stock.
Case in point, my cams.
Going from .375" to .412" lift. I am being told to use a #10 washer (.030"). I'll be dialing out the factory overlap with aftermarket Cam gears.

PSI2HI · 01-26-2006

I say just buy a HKS and be done w/ it and not have to worry about any problems.

Im sick of seeing all these threads everywhere about people talking up knock off parts and people saying oh their just as good your vendors are just trying to rip us off and all this non sence. I've had numerous customers bring in knock of BS and i'll just say 50% of it doesn't work from the start and another 25% fails w/in a few months.

niterydr · 01-26-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSI2HI

I say just buy a HKS and be done w/ it and not have to worry about any problems.

Im sick of seeing all these threads everywhere about people talking up knock off parts and people saying oh their just as good your vendors are just trying to rip us off and all this non sence. I've had numerous customers bring in knock of BS and i'll just say 50% of it doesn't work from the start and another 25% fails w/in a few months.

Word to that. However, without continued research and development, who's to make new products?
Hell I bet buschur considers your FMIC kits knockoffs of his. (He did invent the FMIC right?

).

TheBlizzard · 01-26-2006

There are good ideas out there, the problem is that most people want to keep the cost of R&D low as well as materials. This to me is cutting corners and what suffers is the quality. You think the HKS cams are durable as well as perform good by accident? I am sure a lot research went into the cam line and I am sure corners were not cut to keep cost low and profits high. They took the quality route which in the end payed off huge for them with the cams for example. Yeah they are spendy but whats your time worth? If you have to pull out shitty cams every year and mess with them or replace them you aren't really saving anything by going cheaper.