Comp Cams Book Grinds- Hydraulic Roller Cams

The Bridge to Roller Power: Comp Cams "Book Grinds" for Pontiac V8s at Butler Performance

While Butler Performance is renowned for its custom-spec, high-horsepower hydraulic roller camshafts, they also recognize the value and utility of the tried-and-true Comp Cams "Book Grinds." These off-the-shelf hydraulic roller cams—specifically the popular Xtreme Energy (XR) series—provide Pontiac enthusiasts with a modern, high-performance valvetrain solution that is readily available and offers a significant upgrade over traditional flat tappet technology.

Butler Performance includes these proven profiles in their offerings, often as complete kits, providing a solid foundation for Pontiac engine builds ranging from mild street cruisers to potent mild-race applications.¹

Key Benefits of the Hydraulic Roller Upgrade

Choosing a hydraulic roller cam, even a standard Comp Cams "book grind," delivers several major advantages over the older flat tappet designs, which Butler Performance consistently emphasizes:

• Modern Aggressive Profiles: Hydraulic roller lifters use a wheel that follows the cam lobe, allowing the lobe profile to have a much quicker opening and closing rate than a flat tappet.² This translates to increased valve lift and duration at ³$0.050$ inch (the effective power-making profile), yielding more area under the lift curve and, critically, more power without sacrificing low-end manners as much as a flat tappet with similar duration.⁴

   
   

   

• Reduced Friction & Longevity: The rolling action of the lifter significantly reduces friction and wear within the valvetrain compared to the sliding motion of a flat tappet.

• Safety from Failure: Roller cams eliminate the catastrophic risk of "wiping a lobe" (a common flat tappet failure, especially with modern low-ZDDP oils), which makes the break-in process much simpler and operation safer long-term.

• Greater Vacuum: The quick lobe profiles can create more usable vacuum than a similarly powerful flat tappet, allowing builders to run a more aggressive cam while maintaining power brake function and a better idle.⁵

   

   

The Comp Cams Xtreme Energy (XR) Series: Proven Performance

The most popular hydraulic roller "book grinds" offered by Comp Cams for Pontiac V8 engines (265-455 ci) fall into the Xtreme Energy (XR) Hydraulic Roller category. These cams are characterized by their aggressive ramp rates and wide RPM ranges, making them excellent choices for hot street cars.

Butler's Full Kit Approach

While the cam specifications originate from the Comp Cams catalog, Butler Performance often packages these "book grinds" into complete Master Kits (e.g., K-51-423-11 for the XR276HR). This ensures the builder receives a matched and reliable package, including:

1. Hydraulic Roller Lifters: High-quality lifters specifically rated for the aggressive roller profiles.

2. Valve Springs & Retainers: Correctly sized and rated springs to control the high lift and fast ramps of the roller cam.

3. Timing Set: A durable timing chain set (often double roller) for precision and reliability.

4. Distributor Gear: A polymer or bronze gear is necessary for use with the billet steel roller cam core.

    

By offering these Comp Cams hydraulic roller Book Grinds, Butler Performance provides Pontiac builders with easily accessible, well-engineered solutions that blend modern valvetrain performance with the classic appeal of the Pontiac V8.