The cam in my girl friends 280zx is pretty much shot. The lobes are galled and rounded. There is also a fair amount of rust. There are indentions on the lobes that can catch your finger nail. I think the cam and rockers rusted together since the car was parked for almost 20 years. You can see the pattern of the rocker arm where it looks like it rusted together to the cam.

Ideally the replacement cam would be a stock Nissan, but it looks like none are available. All I can find is used and refurbished.

This seems to force using an aftermarket cam. Problem is she doesn't want a performance cam. She wants the smooth idle that comes with the factory cam.

My own concern is that the factory ECM is not adjustable and that any cam that is not a near stock replacement would not work too well.

My research would suggest the MSA Stage 1 cam and kit would be one of the milder cams out there. The thing that I don't like is the description says "Moderate idle". If this cam won't idle smoothly at 700-800 rpm it would be a problem.

Z-car Source web site says they can do custom grinds. I haven't talked to them to see if a duplicate of factory is something they can do.

Personally I can't see installing a polished cam shaft that could have 200,xxx plus miles on it. I want this engine rebuild to last at least 100k. I just can't see a used/polished cam lasting for a 100k +.

Anyway I looking for suggestions for a stock cam replacement that keeps stock performance.

 

I have one in nice condition.Let me know if you want to go for a used Cam!!