Camshafts & Cam Kits

The camshaft is arguably the most critical component in dictating a Pontiac engine's personality, power band, and overall performance. At Butler Performance, the selection of Camshafts & Cam Kits is curated to offer everything from authentic restoration grinds to aggressive, high-lift hydraulic roller profiles capable of supporting maximum horsepower builds.

Butler Performance utilizes decades of Pontiac experience to guide customers through the optimal camshaft choice, ensuring the grind is perfectly matched to the cylinder heads, compression ratio, vehicle weight, and intended use (street, strip, or both).

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Camshafts & Cam Kits - Hydraulic Roller Cams
Hydraulic Roller Cams
Why Go Roller? The Hydraulic Roller Advantage   For classic Pontiac engines, the move from a hydraulic flat-tappet cam to a hydraulic roller cam provides numerous, substantial benefits:...More Details »
Camshafts & Cam Kits - Flat Tappet Cams
Flat Tappet Cams
While the hydraulic roller cam has become the modern performance standard, the Flat Tappet Camshaft remains a foundational and often necessary component for many Pontiac V8 engine builds....More Details »
Camshafts & Cam Kits - Full Custom Hyd & Solid Roller Cams
Full Custom Hyd & Solid Roller Cams
Common Usage:  Serious street performance to all-out racing Key Benefits:  Maximum performance, reduced friction, most aggressive profiles Limitations:  Increased cost, periodic valve...More Details »

More About Camshafts & Cam Kits

The Heartbeat of Power: Camshafts and Cam Kits for Pontiac Engines at Butler Performance

 

 

 

The Evolution: From Flat Tappet to Hydraulic Roller

 

Butler Performance organizes its camshaft offerings to clearly distinguish between traditional designs and modern, high-performance technology.

 

1. Hydraulic Flat Tappet Cams and Kits

 

For builders focused on period-correct restoration or those operating on a tighter budget, the flat tappet design remains a viable option.

  • Hi-Torq Hydraulic Flat Tappet Cams and Cam Kits: These are reliable workhorses designed to boost torque and performance over stock grinds.

  • Ram Air Series Cams (Hydraulic Flat Tappet): Includes authentic Pontiac grinds like the 067, 068, 041, and 744 profiles. These cams are perfect for achieving the sound and performance characteristic of factory Ram Air engines while offering a balance of street manners and performance.

 

2. Hydraulic Roller Camshafts: The Modern Standard

 

Modern hydraulic roller technology is the preferred choice for maximizing performance and durability. Hydraulic roller cams allow for much more aggressive lobe profiles, higher valve lift, and increased RPM potential without the high friction and stringent oil requirements of flat tappets. Butler Performance offers a wide array of roller cams categorized by performance level:

  • Hi-Torq Street Series Hydraulic Roller Cams: Designed for excellent street manners, producing a strong vacuum signal, and providing a noticeable power increase across the mid-range.

  • Hi-Torq Performance Series Hydraulic Roller Cams (500–600 HP): These profiles step up the power, offering a more aggressive idle and power potential reaching into the upper 500s or lower 600s horsepower range.

  • Hi-Torq Aggressive Series Hydraulic Roller Cams: For builds demanding maximum naturally aspirated power, these cams feature more duration and lift, requiring higher stall converters and better cylinder head flow.

  • Max HP Cams (Boosted / Nitrous / Naturally Aspirated): These are specialty grinds specifically designed to complement power adders (superchargers, turbos, or nitrous) or highly modified naturally aspirated engines.

 

Custom and Brand-Name Options

 

Butler Performance understands that one size does not fit all. They offer solutions for every stage of a build:

  • Full Custom Hydraulic and Solid Roller Cams: For builders with highly specific needs, Butler Performance offers full custom grinds where customers can choose their own lobes to perfectly match their engine’s specifications, maximizing performance for niche applications.

  • Comp Cams: A selection of popular and proven grinds from Comp Cams is available for builders who prefer to use industry-standard profiles.

  • Lunati: Offering a variety of proven cam and cam kits from this respected manufacturer.

When selecting a cam kit, all necessary accessories, such as the timing chain, pushrods, lifters, and valve springs, must be matched to the cam profile. Butler Performance’s expert guidance ensures that every component in the valvetrain is compatible and built to handle the forces and speeds generated by the chosen camshaft.