What do all these mean?

[Koojo]

Ok, whats are cams and valves? people are replacing these, and i guess they get better performance. Are they hard to replace? Expensive?

Also, are headers hard to install? when i look at my current header, it seems like it be hard to take it out and put a new one in. thanks

[P11GT]

right, where do i start........
Cams are shafts with lobes on which control the opening and closing of each valve. They are located at the top of your engine beneath the cover. Valves are what allow fuel/air to enter each chamber and exhaust gases to escape. Replacing cams with performance ones will alter the duration of valve opening, ie, allowing more fuel/air to enter before combustion, giving better performance. Replacing valves would also do the samething, as a bigger valve will allow more flow. The cheapest would be to do the cams, as valve work means stripping the head off the car, having the seat ground and new valves, springs, etc fitted, and they arent cheap. People only go this route if they are either filthy rich or seriously into engines/motor racing. otherwise, go with a turbo.

The header isnt really that hard to do. think of it as just another part of the exhaust, WHICH IT IS!!! its just a bit more fiddly to get to. Ypu just unbolt and bolt on the new one. If your confident with spanner/sockets, it shouldnt be too hard for you.

[P10DET]

Originally posted by Koojo
Ok, whats are cams and valves?

Read Mike Kojima's "Suck, Squish, Bang, Blow" series in SCC. Buy back issues if you have to. It will tell you everything you want to know in simple terms, and in more complex terms when you're ready to go back and learn some more.

[Moppie]

www.howstuffworks.com is also a great place to start, it has simple easy to follow explanations and nice diagrams.

Then if your really interested a trip to your local book store should uncover lots of good how to books.