If you’re looking to upgrade your engine’s performance, you’ve probably come across the terms “lobe separation” and “camshaft angle.” These terms refer to the angle between the intake and exhaust camshaft lobes. The lobe separation angle (LSA) is an essential factor that determines the engine’s power output, idle quality, and overall performance. In this article, we’ll be comparing 112 vs 114 Lobe Separation. We’ll explain what each LSA means, their pros and cons, and recommend which is best for your engine.
Contents
112 Lobe Separation Angle
A 112 LSA is a commonly used LSA in high-performance engines. It’s an aggressive camshaft angle that results in a high-performance engine with a rough idle. The short valve overlap duration results in a reduced low-end torque but a significant increase in high-end horsepower. A 112 LSA is best suited for a high-performance engine with high-flowing heads, large exhaust, and high compression ratio. The camshaft’s aggressive nature results in a camshaft that’s difficult to drive on the street, and it’s not recommended for daily drivers.
Idle quality: The 112 LSA camshaft results in a rough idle. This is due to the shorter valve overlap duration, which causes the engine to have a choppy or lumpy sound at idle.
Valve overlap duration: The 112 LSA camshaft has a shorter valve overlap duration, which means that both the intake and exhaust valves are open for a shorter amount of time. This results in reduced valve overlap, and the engine doesn’t breathe as well at lower RPMs.
Horsepower: The 112 LSA camshaft results in a significant increase in high-end horsepower. This is due to the increased valve lift and duration, which allows the engine to breathe better at higher RPMs.
Torque: The 112 LSA camshaft results in reduced low-end torque. This is because the shorter valve overlap duration doesn’t allow the engine to breathe as well at lower RPMs.
Suitable applications: The 112 LSA camshaft is better suited for high-performance engines with high-flowing heads, large exhaust, and high compression ratios. It’s not recommended for street use or daily driving due to the rough idle and reduced low-end torque.
Compression ratio range: The 112 LSA camshaft is better suited for engines with high compression ratios (11:1 or greater). This is because the increased valve lift and duration can take advantage of the higher compression ratios to produce more power.
Exhaust system: The 112 LSA camshaft requires a high-flowing exhaust system with large-diameter exhaust pipes to take advantage of the increased flow capabilities of the camshaft.
Driving experience: The 112 LSA camshaft is less suitable for street use or daily driving due to the rough idle and reduced low-end torque.
112 Lobe Separation Angle Pros
- Increased high-end horsepower.
- Best suited for high-performance engines with high-flowing heads, large exhaust, and high compression ratios.
- Aggressive camshaft angle for a high-performance engine.
112 Lobe Separation Angle Cons
- Reduced low-end torque.
- Difficult to drive on the street.
- Not recommended for daily drivers.
114 Lobe Separation Angle
A 114 LSA is a more conservative camshaft angle that’s suitable for daily drivers and moderate performance applications. The longer valve overlap duration results in a smooth idle and increased low-end torque. The 114 LSA is best suited for engines with lower compression ratios, small heads, and restrictive exhausts. The camshaft’s conservative nature results in a camshaft that’s easy to drive on the street, making it ideal for daily drivers.
Idle quality: The 114 LSA camshaft results in a smooth idle. This is because the longer valve overlap duration allows the engine to breathe better at lower RPMs, resulting in a smoother idle.
Valve overlap duration: The 114 LSA camshaft has a longer valve overlap duration, which means that both the intake and exhaust valves are open for a longer amount of time. This results in increased valve overlap, and the engine breathes better at lower RPMs.
Horsepower: The 114 LSA camshaft results in a decrease in high-end horsepower. This is because the increased valve overlap reduces the engine’s ability to breathe at higher RPMs.
Torque: The 114 LSA camshaft results in a significant increase in low-end torque. This is because the longer valve overlap duration allows the engine to breathe better at lower RPMs.
Suitable applications: The 114 LSA camshaft is better suited for street use or daily driving. It produces a smoother idle and increased low-end torque, making it easier to drive on the street.
Compression ratio range: The 114 LSA camshaft is better suited for engines with lower compression ratios (9:1 to 11:1). This is because the increased valve overlap can’t take full advantage of the higher compression ratios to produce more power.
Exhaust system: The 114 LSA camshaft is suitable for stock or mildly upgraded exhaust systems. The increased flow capabilities of the camshaft are not as critical as they are with the 112 LSA camshaft.
Driving experience: The 114 LSA camshaft is easier to drive on the street due to the smoother idle and increased low-end torque. It’s better suited for street use or daily driving than the 112 LSA camshaft.
114 Lobe Separation Angle Pros
- Smooth idle.
- Increased low-end torque.
- Easy to drive on the street.
- Ideal for daily drivers.
114 Lobe Separation Angle Cons
- Reduced high-end horsepower.
- Best suited for engines with lower compression ratios, small heads, and restrictive exhausts.
- Less aggressive camshaft angle for moderate performance applications.
112 vs 114 Lobe Separation: Comparison Table
Let’s compare the specifications of 112 and 114 LSA in a table.
| Feature | 112 LSA | 114 LSA |
| Idle quality | Rough | Smooth |
| Valve overlap duration | Short | Reduced |
| Horsepower | Significant increase | Decrease |
| Torque | Reduced | Increase |
| Suitable applications | High-performance engines | Daily drivers |
| Compression ratio range | High (11:1 or greater) | Lower (9:1 to 11:1) |
| Exhaust system | High-flowing headers and | Stock or mildly upgraded |
| large-diameter exhaust pipes | exhaust system recommended | |
| Driving experience | Less suitable for street use | Easier to drive on the |
| street |
Which Lobe Separation Angle is Best for Your Engine?
Choosing the right LSA depends on your engine’s intended use. If you’re building a high-performance engine for racing or track use, a 112 LSA is the way to go. It will give you maximum high-end horsepower, but it’s not suitable for street use or daily driving. If you’re building an engine for street use or daily driving, a 114 LSA is the better option. It will give you a smooth idle, increased low-end torque, and is easier to drive on the street.
We have two articles about 112 Lobe Separation. There are –
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some FAQs about 112 and 114 lobe separation –
Q: Which is better for a daily driver, 112 or 114 LSA?
A: A 114 LSA is better suited for a daily driver. It results in a smooth idle, increased low-end torque, and is easier to drive on the street.
Q: What is valve overlap duration?
A: Valve overlap duration is the time when both the intake and exhaust valves are open. It’s determined by the Lobe Separation Angle and is an essential factor in an engine’s performance.
Q: Can I use a 112 LSA camshaft on a daily driver?
A: A 112 LSA camshaft is not recommended for daily driving. It results in a rough idle and reduced low-end torque, which can make it difficult to drive.
Q: Can I use a 114 LSA camshaft on a high-performance engine?
A: A 114 LSA camshaft is better suited for engines with lower compression ratios, small heads, and restrictive exhausts. It results in increased low-end torque but reduced high-end horsepower, making it less suitable for high-performance engines.
Q: What’s the difference between hydraulic and solid camshafts?
A: Hydraulic camshafts use hydraulic lifters, while solid camshafts use solid lifters. Hydraulic camshafts are quieter and require less maintenance, while solid camshafts offer better performance.
Conclusion
A 112 LSA may provide more aggressive cam timing and better top-end horsepower, it can also sacrifice low-end torque and drivability. On the other hand, a 114 LSA can offer better low-end power and smoother idle characteristics, but may not produce as much high-end horsepower. It’s essential to consider factors such as engine displacement, compression ratio, and intended use to make the best decision for your specific engine build.