Kelford camshafts, Nissan VQ35DE Gen 1
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 VQ35DE Gen 1 engine. Profile differences, spring recommendations and required modifications are detailed below.
Technical specifications – available profiles for this engine
Profile 189-A
Stage 1 for a mildly built naturally aspirated VQ35 in a tuned street car.
| Specification | Intake | Exhaust |
|---|---|---|
| Valve clearance | 0.25mm cold at the cam | 0.30mm cold at the cam |
| Cam lift | 11.00mm | 10.65mm |
| Rocker ratio | 1 | 1 |
| Net valve lift | 10.75mm | 10.35mm |
| Advertised duration @ 0.30mm | 266° | 260° |
| Duration @ 1.00mm valve lift | 222° | 216° |
| Timing IVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | 14 ATDC | – |
| Timing IVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | 56 ABDC | – |
| Timing EVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 44 BBDC |
| Timing EVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 8 BTDC |
| Suggested centre lines | 125° | 116° |
| Valve lift at TDC | 0.15mm | 0.29mm |
Manufacturer profile information
Profile 189-B
Stage 2 for a more extensively built naturally aspirated VQ35 in a powerful street car or time attack car.
| Specification | Intake | Exhaust |
|---|---|---|
| Valve clearance | 0.25mm cold at the cam | 0.30mm cold at the cam |
| Cam lift | 11.75mm | 11.30mm |
| Rocker ratio | 1 | 1 |
| Net valve lift | 11.50mm | 11.00mm |
| Advertised duration @ 0.30mm | 282° | 272° |
| Duration @ 1.00mm valve lift | 240° | 232° |
| Timing IVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | 5 ATDC | – |
| Timing IVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | 65 ABDC | – |
| Timing EVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 48 BBDC |
| Timing EVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 4 ATDC |
| Suggested centre lines | 125° | 112° |
| Valve lift at TDC | 0.60mm | 1.39 mm |
Manufacturer profile information
Profile 189-C
Stage 3 for an extensively built naturally aspirated race engine. Requires high compression and an intake such as a Cosworth manifold or individual throttle bodies. Intended solely for racing.
| Specification | Intake | Exhaust |
|---|---|---|
| Valve clearance | 0.25mm cold at the cam | 0.30mm cold at the cam |
| Cam lift | 11.75mm | 11.30mm |
| Rocker ratio | 1 | 1 |
| Net valve lift | 11.50mm | 11.00mm |
| Advertised duration @ 0.30mm | 302° | 292° |
| Duration @ 1.00mm valve lift | 256° | 250° |
| Timing IVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | 3 BTDC | – |
| Timing IVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | 73 ABDC | – |
| Timing EVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 55 BBDC |
| Timing EVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 15 ATDC |
| Suggested centre lines | 125° | 110° |
| Valve lift at TDC | 1.31mm | 2.62 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 350Z Z33 VQ35DE (2002–2006), excluding Rev Up and HR
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.
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