Cam work...is this fact or fiction? - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

madness410 · 03-23-2008, 09:41 PM

hey,
so i bought a third gen camaro with a rebuilt engine, and some minor cam work done to it. my friend who i bought it from told me to let the car warm up for a good 5 minutes before driving it, because the oil has to become warm to properly lube up the cams.

sometimes i let it warm up for about 2 minutes, and drive off because my parents hate that my car sounds like a helicopter in their driveway. but i dont go over 1500 rpm.

i wanted to know if it is true that when a car has camwork is it imperative that the engine warms up properly before driving it. get at me.

jon

Tru2Chevy · 03-23-2008, 10:07 PM

No, should be fine to just start her up and go on all but the coldest of days. I wouldn't beat on it until it's up to operating temp, but gentle driving is just fine.

- Justin

GrandmasterCow · 03-24-2008, 08:29 AM

I was told same thing, when my old motor was cammed I would let it warm up for 2-5 mins and it was fine. I was told to warm up the springs or something.

Fast92RS · 03-24-2008, 09:01 AM

Ive heard many things around but with todays vehicles and fuel injection. You really dont need a warm up time. IMO all you really need in 30 seconds to a minute to let the oil get circulating in the engine and trans and then start going. In really cold weather below freezing I would say no more than 5 mins is needed.

madness410 · 03-24-2008, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fast92RS

Ive heard many things around but with todays vehicles and fuel injection. You really dont need a warm up time. IMO all you really need in 30 seconds to a minute to let the oil get circulating in the engine and trans and then start going. In really cold weather below freezing I would say no more than 5 mins is needed.

hahah yeah ive heard that too...but my camaro is an 87 and is carbureated. im switching over to fuel injection sooner or later. thank you for your input.

JL8Jeff · 03-24-2008, 12:51 PM

The extended warm up is helpful with a carbed motor, especially without a choke! But 5 minutes is too much. The engine should be good in a minute or 2, just don't rev it to redline before some heat gets into it.

GP99GT · 03-24-2008, 03:20 PM

yeah..should be fine with a minute or so, just dont go beating on it til its up to temp. this is true for all cars, not just ones with mods

BonzoHansen · 03-24-2008, 04:45 PM

I don't really understand why a 'cammed' engine (aren't all engines cammed? LOL) would make a difference. Oil flows the same. Use good syth oil and the correct wt for the time of the year (ie 20/50 is not for Januray) and you should be fine.

69BirdX · 03-24-2008, 07:06 PM

It is never needed to warm and engine with a cold start becasue at idle an engine runs rich until it is warmed. This rich mixture allows oil to be burned ooff the cylinder wall creating more wear. Its better to let your car warm up by taking your time driving.
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JL8Jeff · 03-24-2008, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69BirdX

It is never needed to warm and engine with a cold start becasue at idle an engine runs rich until it is warmed. This rich mixture allows oil to be burned ooff the cylinder wall creating more wear. Its better to let your car warm up by taking your time driving.

Yeah, but if your carb doesn't want to behave nice because of no choke, then you'll probably just stall out. EFI doesn't need any warmup but 30-60 seconds is not a bad idea to get the oil flowing before putting a load on it.

maroman88 · 03-24-2008, 09:33 PM

i love hauling ass in the middle of the night for a fire call in the middle of winter, man my cars hate that lol.

but i let it warm up at least a minute all year round, more then that when below freezing cuz my ass likes to be warm when i get in

Anti_Rice_Guy · 03-25-2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maroman88

i love hauling ass in the middle of the night for a fire call in the middle of winter, man my cars hate that lol.

but i let it warm up at least a minute all year round, more then that when below freezing cuz my ass likes to be warm when i get in

Just your ass likes to be warm?

I have the stock cams in the vehicles that I drive but normally i'll let it idle for 30 secs or so before i shove off.

WildBillyT · 03-25-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madness410

hey,
so i bought a third gen camaro with a rebuilt engine, and some minor cam work done to it. my friend who i bought it from told me to let the car warm up for a good 5 minutes before driving it, because the oil has to become warm to properly lube up the cams.

sometimes i let it warm up for about 2 minutes, and drive off because my parents hate that my car sounds like a helicopter in their driveway. but i dont go over 1500 rpm.

i wanted to know if it is true that when a car has camwork is it imperative that the engine warms up properly before driving it. get at me.

jon

I would let it warm up for about 1-2 minutes if the car has a flat tappet cam. If it has a roller cam it is probably fine a few seconds after startup.

qwikz28 · 03-29-2008, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

I don't really understand why a 'cammed' engine (aren't all engines cammed? LOL) would make a difference. Oil flows the same. Use good syth oil and the correct wt for the time of the year (ie 20/50 is not for Januray) and you should be fine.

i think he means because of the more aggressive valve springs?

and a quick aside, the engine is not the only thing that needs to be warmed up! remember the trans and diff both need to be up to normal temp as well before you can start beating on the car from what i understand