Kelford camshaft, Nissan RB30E SOHC
Kelford is a New Zealand camshaft manufacturer with roots in Christchurch dating back to 1968. Its profiles range from upgrades for street-driven cars to fully built race engines. Choose the cam around the rest of the engine and its intended use, rather than simply picking the longest duration.
This selection is for the Nissan RB30E SOHC engine. Profile differences, spring recommendations and required modifications are detailed below.
Technical specifications – available profiles for this engine
Profile 226-A
Profile suitable for stock springs and hydraulic lifters. Adds mid-range pull while retaining street driveability, including towing use. KVS226 springs are recommended for higher-mileage engines, with a suggested limit of 7500 rpm.
| Specification | Intake | Exhaust |
|---|---|---|
| Cam lift | 6.81mm | 6.81mm |
| Rocker ratio | 1.6 | 1.6 |
| Net valve lift | 10.90mm | 10.90mm |
| Advertised duration @ 0.10mm | 260° | 260° |
| Duration @ 1.00mm valve lift | 224° | 224° |
| Timing IVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | 4 BTDC | – |
| Timing IVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | 40 ABDC | – |
| Timing EVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 44 BBDC |
| Timing EVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 0 TDC |
| Suggested centre lines | 108° | 112° |
| Valve lift at TDC | 1.40mm | 1.00 mm |
Manufacturer profile information
Profile 226-B
Hydraulic-lifter profile for an engine with upgraded intake and exhaust and adjustable engine management. Adds mid-range pull and a more noticeable cam idle with a free-flowing exhaust. Recommended springs: KVS226, with a suggested maximum of 8000 rpm.
| Specification | Intake | Exhaust |
|---|---|---|
| Cam lift | 7.06mm | 7.06mm |
| Rocker ratio | 1.6 | 1.6 |
| Net valve lift | 11.30mm | 11.30mm |
| Advertised duration @ 0.10mm | 270° | 270° |
| Duration @ 1.00mm valve lift | 233° | 233° |
| Timing IVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | 10.5 BTDC | – |
| Timing IVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | 42.5 ABDC | – |
| Timing EVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 48.5 BBDC |
| Timing EVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 4.5 ATDC |
| Suggested centre lines | 106° | 112° |
| Valve lift at TDC | 2.08mm | 1.42 mm |
Manufacturer profile information
Profile 226-CS
Solid-lifter race profile for circuit and drag use, focused on mid-range and top-end pull. Suits higher compression, a ported head and free-flowing intake manifolds. The suggested maximum with KVS226 springs is 8000 rpm.
| Specification | Intake | Exhaust |
|---|---|---|
| Valve clearance | 0.40mm cold at the valve | 0.45mm cold at the valve |
| Cam lift | 7.88mm | 7.91mm |
| Rocker ratio | 1.6 | 1.6 |
| Net valve lift | 12.20mm | 12.20mm |
| Advertised duration @ 0.10mm | 290° | 292° |
| Duration @ 1.00mm valve lift | 247° | 253° |
| Timing IVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | 17.5 BTDC | – |
| Timing IVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | 49.5 ABDC | – |
| Timing EVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 56.5 BBDC |
| Timing EVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 16.5 ATDC |
| Suggested centre lines | 106° | 110° |
| Valve lift at TDC | 2.97mm | 2.87 mm |
Manufacturer profile information
Profile 226-DS
Solid-lifter profile for an extensively built, high-rpm naturally aspirated race engine. Requires high compression, a well-prepared head and suitable intake and exhaust parts, such as individual throttle bodies or carburettors. The suggested maximum with KVS226 springs is 8500 rpm.
| Specification | Intake | Exhaust |
|---|---|---|
| Valve clearance | 0.40mm cold at the valve | 0.40mm cold at the valve |
| Cam lift | 8.81mm | 8.91mm |
| Rocker ratio | 1.6 | 1.6 |
| Net valve lift | 13.70mm | 13.85mm |
| Advertised duration @ 0.10mm | 304° | 314° |
| Duration @ 1.00mm valve lift | 264° | 267° |
| Timing IVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | 28 BTDC | – |
| Timing IVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | 56 ABDC | – |
| Timing EVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 63.5 BBDC |
| Timing EVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 23.5 ATDC |
| Suggested centre lines | 104° | 110° |
| Valve lift at TDC | 3.76mm | 3.50 mm |
Manufacturer profile information
Profile 226-E
Hydraulic-lifter street turbo profile for a 48–58 mm turbo. Focused on low and mid-range pull and throttle response, including towing use. The suggested maximum with KVS226 springs is 7500 rpm.
| Specification | Intake | Exhaust |
|---|---|---|
| Cam lift | 6.81mm | 6.81mm |
| Rocker ratio | 1.6 | 1.6 |
| Net valve lift | 10.90mm | 10.90mm |
| Advertised duration @ 0.10mm | 260° | 260° |
| Duration @ 1.00mm valve lift | 224° | 224° |
| Timing IVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | 0 TDC | – |
| Timing IVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | 44 ABDC | – |
| Timing EVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 46 BBDC |
| Timing EVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 2 BTDC |
| Suggested centre lines | 112° | 114° |
| Valve lift at TDC | 1.09mm | 0.70 mm |
Manufacturer profile information
Profile 226-F
Hydraulic-lifter turbo profile for street, circuit or drag use, adding mid-range pull. Recommended turbo size: 54–64 mm for around 400–650 hp. Suitable for E85 and similar ethanol fuels. The suggested maximum with KVS226-T springs is 8000 rpm.
| Specification | Intake | Exhaust |
|---|---|---|
| Cam lift | 8.09mm | 8.09mm |
| Rocker ratio | 1.6 | 1.6 |
| Net valve lift | 12.95mm | 12.95mm |
| Advertised duration @ 0.10mm | 274° | 274° |
| Duration @ 1.00mm valve lift | 241° | 241° |
| Timing IVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | 10.5 BTDC | – |
| Timing IVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | 50.5 ABDC | – |
| Timing EVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 56.5 BBDC |
| Timing EVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 4.5 ATDC |
| Suggested centre lines | 110° | 116° |
| Valve lift at TDC | 2.05mm | 1.37 mm |
Manufacturer profile information
Profile 226-G
Hydraulic-lifter turbo profile for an extensively built street or race car, focused on mid-range and top-end pull. For over 800 hp, a turbo of at least 68 mm and E85 or another ethanol fuel. The suggested maximum with KVS226-T springs is 9000 rpm.
| Specification | Intake | Exhaust |
|---|---|---|
| Cam lift | 8.13mm | 8.13mm |
| Rocker ratio | 1.6 | 1.6 |
| Net valve lift | 13.00mm | 13.00mm |
| Advertised duration @ 0.10mm | 298° | 298° |
| Duration @ 1.00mm valve lift | 260° | 260° |
| Timing IVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | 20 BTDC | – |
| Timing IVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | 60 ABDC | – |
| Timing EVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 68 BBDC |
| Timing EVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 12 ATDC |
| Suggested centre lines | 110° | 118° |
| Valve lift at TDC | 3.10mm | 2.20 mm |
Manufacturer profile information
Profile 226-HS
Solid-lifter turbo profile for a high-rpm race engine. Recommended turbo size starts at 67 mm, using an ethanol blend or methanol. Requires a solid-lifter conversion. Recommended springs: KVS226-T.
| Specification | Intake | Exhaust |
|---|---|---|
| Valve clearance | 0.40mm cold at the valve | 0.40mm cold at the valve |
| Cam lift | 8.81mm | 8.81mm |
| Rocker ratio | 1.6 | 1.6 |
| Net valve lift | 13.70mm | 13.70mm |
| Advertised duration @ 0.10mm | 296° | 304° |
| Duration @ 1.00mm valve lift | 260° | 264° |
| Timing IVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | 18 BTDC | – |
| Timing IVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | 62 ABDC | – |
| Timing EVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 70 BBDC |
| Timing EVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 14 ATDC |
| Suggested centre lines | 112° | 118° |
| Valve lift at TDC | 2.69mm | 2.15 mm |
Manufacturer profile information
Profile 226-IS
Solid-lifter drag profile for over 1000 hp and a turbo of at least 76 mm. Also suits a higher-stall converter and nitrous. For an ethanol blend or methanol. The suggested maximum with KVS226-T springs is 8500 rpm.
| Specification | Intake | Exhaust |
|---|---|---|
| Valve clearance | 0.40mm cold at the valve | 0.40mm cold at the valve |
| Cam lift | 8.81mm | 8.91mm |
| Rocker ratio | 1.6 | 1.6 |
| Net valve lift | 13.70mm | 13.85mm |
| Advertised duration @ 0.10mm | 304° | 314° |
| Duration @ 1.00mm valve lift | 264° | 267° |
| Timing IVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | 20 BTDC | – |
| Timing IVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | 64 ABDC | – |
| Timing EVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 71.5 BBDC |
| Timing EVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 15.5 ATDC |
| Suggested centre lines | 112° | 118° |
| Valve lift at TDC | 2.81mm | 2.51 mm |
Manufacturer profile information
Checking heights are shown with the duration figures. Net lift is the net valve movement specified by the manufacturer, while cam lift is listed separately. IVO/IVC denote intake valve opening/closing and EVO/EVC exhaust valve opening/closing. BTDC/ATDC mean before/after top dead centre, and BBDC/ABDC before/after bottom dead centre.
Installation and profile selection
Confirm the exact engine version, valvetrain design and the modifications required by the profile. Check cam timing and valve-to-piston clearance during installation. Springs, lifters and other supporting parts mentioned with a profile are not included unless the profile explicitly states that they come with the kit.
Examples of related vehicle applications
- Nissan Skyline R31 3.0 RB30E (1985–1990)
- Nissan Patrol Y60 3.0 RB30S (1987–1997), RB30 SOHC
- Holden Commodore VL 3.0 RB30E / RB30ET (1986–1988)
The list covers versions with the specified engines only. Exact fitment and required modifications depend on the selected profile, cylinder head, lifters and timing system.
Suomi

