Conclusion

In general, steel is a good camshaft material, but the type of steel has to be matched with the cam follower it runs against because different grades of steel have different scuff characteristics. When purchasing camshafts, enquire which material the parts are produced from. This will help you find a fit for purpose solution for your engine build. For example, a chilled iron camshaft may be more expensive, but its resistance to wear in all conditions far exceeds any other type of cast iron. Of course, this article has been a somewhat simplified explanation of camshaft materials, but may assist you in asking the correct questions when purchasing performance camshafts for your Porsche. We’ll go into further detail regarding camshaft selection and cam timing for air-cooled engines in forthcoming issues of Classic Porsche.