How to measure a camshaft

[alfredhamstra]

Hello guys, I have a bunch of engineparts laying around.
I want to build a nice drivable engine from it.
What I have is a 40IDF set, a 4-2-1 exhaust, a 1800 block and a fiat argenta head with bigger valves then normal.
I will port - flow the intake and head.
I want to match that with some sharper cams, and there is where my question comes in:
I can measure the lift and when the lobe is opening and closing relative to TDC
But what I dont understand is how I compare them, so to know what is best for a nice streetdriving car.

How can I "read" the information below
This is a stock exhaust cam for DOHC engines as fitted to 1608cc Fiat 124 engines (125-series) with exhaust cam-box-mounted distributor.

Higher 22/66 duration (225 degrees @ .050 lift) than 1974 and later 1800/2.0L cams which measured 5/53 duration (219 degrees @ .050 lift).

Hope some can help me

greetings from holland
alfred

[Nut124]

Cams, duration, overlap etc. are a very complex topic. One can measure a cam but that does not necessarily tell anything about how it may function in any given engine.

Google and google.

Replacement cams are usually offered in something like street, autocross, stage II and full race based on the sellers experience.

Look for a book by Guy Croft. Modifying and tuning Fiat and Lancia Twincam engines. It seems to be the best book on the topic.