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Sat Feb 21, 2015 3:35 pm

I'm building a 1600 to use in a split bus that has a straight axle kit. It's going to be single port, nothing fancy except probably a header as I don't have a stock muffler. I'm looking at either a W100 grind, or a Norris 352s, or 329s. Having not run a W100 in a bus, and never a Norris cam, does anyone have real experience with any of these cams for pushing a heavy box around? I'm not looking for speed or milage, rather I'd like a broad power band for a solid engine. I could clean up the heads a little, and probably will. Not sure what lifters to use with the Norris cams, kaddie shack sells Scats but I'm not crazy about that..
specs are (copied from Kaddie Shack):

#352S - THE "MILEAGE MAKER" - This cam was designed for stock engines. The cam design adds pep to any stock VW engine. It will add smooth performance and drivability without sacrificing any mileage. This is the perfect cam for your stock build. Idles smooth. Instant throttle response. Split lifts between intake and exhaust lobes. Engle does not make a similar cam. This cam can be used with stock (1.1:1) rockers or any ratio: 1.25, 1.4 shown. Super smooth to 5000 RPM's.
ADV DURATION -- DURATION AT .050" -- CAM LIFT -- VALVE LIFT 1.1 -- VALVE LIFT 1.25 -- VALVE LIFT 1.4
254 degrees -- 218 degrees -- .352 intake -- .387 intake -- .440 intake -- .493 intake
254 degrees -- 218 degrees -- .330 exhaust -- .363 exhaust -- .413 exhaust -- .462 exhaust
#329S - THE "BUS CAM", MILD STREET CAM, OFF ROAD CAM - This cam was originally designed for bus engines, way back in the day. It helped moved heavy cars with low displacement engines. The super torque proved great for mild performance engines on standard VW's as well, and is also well suited for heavy off-road cars with smaller motors. We've found that this is a great cam for small displacement engines: 1641cc, 1679cc, 1776cc, etc., with mostly stock components. It's not hard on valvetrain components and can It pulls hard and still idles very smoothly, even down at 800-900 RPM's. You might compare it to an Engle 100 cam. Unlike the 100, it can be used with stock (1.1) ratio rockers, or it be used with 1.25 or even 1.4 ratio rockers. Using larger rockers will allow you extend your powerband, add horsepower, and allow you to fine tune your engine dynamics without having to split the case and change your cam again if you decide to give it a little extra zing later. With the right combo, these will run well up to about 6200 RPM's. Will work great with standard valve springs for stock rockers. Recommend HD single springs for 1.25 or 1.4 rockers. Very easy on lifter bores. This cam is a great choice for an engine built for longevity.
ADV DURATION -- DURATION AT .050" -- CAM LIFT -- VALVE LIFT 1.1 -- VALVE LIFT 1.25 -- VALVE LIFT 1.4
272 degrees -- 232 degrees -- .329 -- .362 -- .411 -- .461

Engle 100:
383" Cam Lift, .420" Valve Lift (1.1 Rockers), 276 degrees of advertised duration, and 236 degrees of duration at .050", on a 108 Lobe Center

Sat Feb 21, 2015 3:43 pm

In my years of VW experience I have found that the stock cam works best on a single port engine. A W100 works fairly good in a DP engine.

Sat Feb 21, 2015 5:47 pm

That 352S would probably be OK with a single port engine, anything more you are going to need some headwork.

Sat Feb 21, 2015 6:21 pm

what carb(s)?

Sat Feb 21, 2015 6:42 pm

CB 2280 or 2232, along with a raise in CR to just over 8 for a bus.
Can be used with stock or better than stock carburetion.

T

Sat Feb 21, 2015 7:54 pm

It could be either a stock single carb, or I have some type 3 carbs that are in decent shape. I'm really unsure where to go on this, as I've always either built stock engines, or not really close to stock at all. Shooting for as good as a stock displacement single port can be, has never crossed my mind till doing this. Honestly, if I had a stock cam and lifters to use, I would. But they went into a box that got wet and ruined. And if I have to buy something, it might as well be better right? :wink:
I had figured that a slight bump in compression and mild headwork would help. Forgot to mention, stock crank in this, so best to keep the rpms low. I have a CW crank, but would rather keep it for a nicer build. This is a borderline sweep the floor build, except for the cam. It's an H case to boot, but in decent shape..

Sat Feb 21, 2015 9:04 pm

I ran a w100 in a single port 1641 engine with stock 30 pict and it ran awesome. lots of pep. could cruise it at 70 mph and not skip a beat. had a counterweighted crank and the cam but pretty much stock everywhere else. good engine still have it and going to rebuild it. was originaly done for my baja but sold it and put it in my bus and it was fun to drive.

Sat Feb 21, 2015 9:25 pm

The 329S sounds good, or cb2232, web 73, should be good for a bus

If you use the dual carbs then I'd lean towards the 2280

Sat Feb 21, 2015 11:00 pm

I run a Scat C25 in my single port 1955cc w/34ICT's in my bus. Smooth idle and great torque.

Sat Feb 21, 2015 11:20 pm

I have run the W-100 in a single port in a bug! Great cam even with a PICT-28 Carb! So Yes the 329S it's real close only less lift.

Sun Feb 22, 2015 5:25 pm

modok wrote: The 329S sounds good, or cb2232, web 73, should be good for a bus

If you use the dual carbs then I'd lean towards the 2280

Modok, I was looking for the Web 73, but their site only shows that grind as a type 4 cam. Were you thinking of that, or something else?

Sun Feb 22, 2015 5:33 pm

C25 is a great bus cam.

Sun Feb 22, 2015 8:16 pm

The #73 can be a type-1 cam. Many useable grinds are not listed.

Mon Feb 23, 2015 4:16 pm

[email protected] wrote: C25 is a great bus cam.

John, I took your advice and went with the c25. for the record, the lift and duration are almost the same as the Norris 329S, which was the first cam recommended to me by a life long bus owner. Thanks for the advice.
SD

Sat Jan 25, 2020 3:00 pm

I saw this thread when doing a search for the Norris 329s cam-It is claimed that you can use stock valve springs and push rod/rocker arms. Will be rebuilding a dual port 1776 for my VW Thing (dual kadrons). It is a cam that was used in buses so I thought it might be a good choice for my thing- because its heavier like a bus. Compression ratio I'm shooting for is 8:1. Unsure about heads-I'm not looking to tear up the pavement just low end accelerationimprovement with a decently smooth idle-What do you guys think about using stock heads with this cam for my application. Also looking at possibly using Engle w100 cam but I think I would have to use ratio rockers-just want to keep it simple and use stock rockers if possible.