If you think that the guys who make Engine Masters have been slacking in the tech lessons and instead have been playing too much with dyno mule engines, then this episode is for you. Behold, the camshaft: the lumpy, bumpy log that makes magic happen. You know the basics: cam moves, and as it moves it works a system that opens and closes the intake and exhaust valves in time with the engine. And for most people, that’s about all they care, but if you’ve ever gone camshaft shopping and have looked at the measurements like the RCA puppy looks at anything…head cocked sideways, confused expression…then stick around for this one.

The engine picked is a Dart block in small-block Chevrolet form with AFR heads and is a pretty solid unit in base form with a small cam. It’s the kind of mill you could shove into just about anything and have fun in. But how big will the difference be when Freiburger gets his way and shoves a much bigger bumpstick into the block?