Re-reading this thread after this long, I chuckled at all the hype over "billet steel". It didn't occur to me at the time, but there's really no such thing as "billet steel".
It's "a billet of steel" and "billet" is machinist-speak for "a gigantic hunk of...". Granted the type of steel used in "billet cams" *could* be different than the plain old "steel" cams used in 5.0s and such, but I get the feeling that a lot of this is just hype.
Ok, I think I picked that nit...
I would suggest you hold a Billet cam in one hand and a Cast Cam/SADI in another and judge for yourself.
If you feel this is just hype your ride is probably just fine with what your using.
It's critical with higher valve train loads higher rpm's
You'd also be surprised how many cars are being manufactured today with Billet Steel cams from the factory
It sounds like these cam makers are doing some creative marketing.
Definition of the word "billet":
Billet refers to a cast semi finished product. It is also referred to as ingot, particularly for smaller sizes. A billet is typically cast to a rectangular, hexagonal or round cross section compatible with secondary processing, e.g. forging or milling. It can be produced either as coil or cut lengths. Ingots and billets are collectively known as bar stock.
If accuracy of your valve train is important Billet is a good way to way to provide it.
A billet cam is made from a differant material than a SADI cam. The cam lobes are also tighter in tolerance.
To me, spending good money on a strong bottom end, good flowing heads, intake, carb, ignition etc and then skimp a few bucks on the cam just seems out of place.
I don't think trying to eliminate stacking tolerances is "creative marketing"
It's been around since the industrial revolution*
I have a solid roller in the 66 Fastback and the cam manufacturer insisted on a bronze gear. I ran the bronze over several years, and had to replace it every spring as I could see the wear taking place. A few years ago, I switch to a polymer gear. In spite of its amazing lightweight, the polymer gear has so far shown no wear at all.
If accuracy of your valve train is important Billet is a good way to way to provide it.
A billet cam is made from a differant material than a SADI cam. The cam lobes are also tighter in tolerance.
To me, spending good money on a strong bottom end, good flowing heads, intake, carb, ignition etc and then skimp a few bucks on the cam just seems out of place.
I don't think trying to eliminate stacking tolerances is "creative marketing"
It's been around since the industrial revolution*
*edit* since man has been measuring things...lol
I understand exactly what you're talking about, but I think you misunderstood my point. For some reason, Joe Blow seems to think if it's "billet", it's super duper special and ultra modern. I'd hate to tell them that my uncle Pete was carving tools out of billet YEARS ago. First it was "oooh look, nice wheels, and they're BILLET" then "oooh, look, BILLET knobs". Wow, they were CNCed out of a huge chunk of aluminum, big friggin deal.
Nice to know that the "billet cams" being marketed to the general public are really different. I know you can buy special billet race cams for exotic applications like 1khp+ from some speciality shops but I guess I figured it was just marketing hype on the street cams.
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Cobra 5.0L & AOD swap, here we come.
If accuracy of your valve train is important Billet is a good way to way to provide it.
A billet cam is made from a differant material than a SADI cam. The cam lobes are also tighter in tolerance.
I don't think trying to eliminate stacking tolerances is "creative marketing"
It's been around since the industrial revolution*
*edit* since man has been measuring things...lol
Since all cams are made on machines I find it hard to understand how tolerances can be so loose that calling it Billet fixes the bad tolerances.
Not meaning to argue but, really, what is the difference and why is the difference better. I don't buy the better tolerance point.
Ford roller cams last hundreds of thousands of miles and with the accuracy needed to meet emission regulations they need to be darn tight.
Since all cams are made on machines I find it hard to understand how tolerances can be so loose that calling it Billet fixes the bad tolerances.
Not meaning to argue but, really, what is the difference and why is the difference better. I don't buy the better tolerance point.
Ford roller cams last hundreds of thousands of miles and with the accuracy needed to meet emission regulations they need to be darn tight.
Answer this ...Have you ever installed or degreed a cam?
The billet solid roller I choose was CNC machined, not ground on a lathe
Do you think your SADI core cam was CNC'd?
CNC offers superior results period. If you have ever compared a CNC'd anything to a cast product you will see.
I'm not here to argue with you, to persuade you or even educate you on this subject....but for someone who calls billet cam technology just "creative marketing" yet does not even take the time to read a little
A billet cam is cut from a solid piece of bar stock, which has a linear grain structure and different alloys than a cast or forged cam. A cast cam blank or any casting for that matter has a crystaline grain structure that is susceptible to breaking or cracking. A forged component has a grain structure that follows the shape of the piece being forged. Thus the strength advantage over a cast part (think crankshafts).
Comp does offer billet cams with gears that are compatible with steel distributor gears pressed on.
Hopefully this helps clear it up for you pprince. It is WAY more than a marketing game when it comes to internal engine components. I agree with some of the "billet" street rod parts being hype and marketing.
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Granted the type of steel used in "billet cams" *could* be different than the plain old "steel" cams used in 5.0s and such, but I get the feeling that a lot of this is just hype.
yet does not even take the time to read a little 
