# cam questions

**URL:** <https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cam-questions/86261>\
**Category:** SON240sx Automotive\
**Created:** [June 7, 2005, 8:55pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cam-questions/86261 "2005-06-07T20:55:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Stinson240sx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ea924/32.png) [@Stinson240sx](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Stinson240sx)\
**Post date:** [June 7, 2005, 8:55pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cam-questions/86261/1 "2005-06-07T20:55:08Z")

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Hi everyone,

I know that hks and others make cams for the sr20 in durations 256, 264 and 272. Can someone tell me what the differences between steps are? ie. 256 step 1 vs. 256 step 2.

Also, can you mate a 256 with a say 264 or is it better to stick with identical duration cams for both intake and exhaust?

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**Author:** ![boMex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@boMex](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boMex)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 5:53am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cam-questions/86261/2 "2005-06-08T05:53:35Z")

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Going out on a limb here but the “Step” is, most likely, the valve lift offered by the cam. A quick search of Fresh Alloy et al might yield further info. Go forth and search.

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**Author:** ![Sasha\_SG](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/sasha_sg/32/5477_2.png) [@Sasha\_SG](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Sasha_SG)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 6:51am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cam-questions/86261/3 "2005-06-08T06:51:05Z")

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I’m going with a 256 intake cam and a 264 exhaust cam as I want to keep VTC, lots of guys now are running exhaust cams with longer duration than intake cams its not a bad idea. Steps are lift and how steep the cam is (how fast it opens the valve) Thats why higher step you need bigger valve springs - the stock springs can’t slam the valves shut in time.

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**Author:** ![DarkForceJackal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b38774/32.png) [@DarkForceJackal](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/DarkForceJackal)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 6:58am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cam-questions/86261/4 "2005-06-08T06:58:19Z")

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> [@Sasha (Turbo)](#):
>
> I’m going with a 256 intake cam and a 264 exhaust cam as I want to keep VTC, lots of guys now are running exhaust cams with longer duration than intake cams its not a bad idea. Steps are lift and how steep the cam is (how fast it opens the valve) Thats why higher step you need bigger valve springs - the stock springs can’t slam the valves shut in time.

Informative! Thanks for that. :thumright:

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**Author:** ![Stinson240sx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ea924/32.png) [@Stinson240sx](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Stinson240sx)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 2:54pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cam-questions/86261/5 "2005-06-08T14:54:20Z")

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ditto thanks

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**Author:** ![AppleSauce](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/applesauce/32/5521_2.png) [@AppleSauce](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/AppleSauce)\
**Post date:** [June 8, 2005, 3:06pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/cam-questions/86261/6 "2005-06-08T15:06:14Z")

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last i heard the hks 256s were on international back order…