Vz-35 Camshaft, .490 Lift, 309 Duration, Drag Race Only

OVERVIEW

When you''re building a dedicated track machine, there is no room for compromise in your valve train. The Engle VZ-35 Camshaft is engineered specifically for competition drag racing where maximum airflow and high-RPM power are the only metrics that matter. This isn''t a "spirited street" cam; it is a high-lift, long-duration beast designed to squeeze every ounce of performance out of your air-cooled Volkswagen engine. Engle has long been the industry standard for billet strength and reliability, and the VZ-35 continues that legacy by offering a profile that maximizes valve opening speed and duration. With a massive 309 degrees of advertised duration, this camshaft is designed to live in the high-RPM range, making it the perfect choice for lightweight dragsters, sand drags, or bracket racers looking for that competitive edge at the starting line.

Installing the VZ-35 means you are serious about your engine''s total output. Because of its aggressive .490-inch lift and 278 degrees of duration at .050, this camshaft requires a highly tuned environment, including high-compression ratios and a professional-grade high-flow cylinder head setup to truly shine. At Appletree Automotive, we know that a cam is only as good as the components surrounding it. This cam must be paired with brand new lifters and a high-quality bolt-on cam gear to ensure timing accuracy and longevity under the intense stresses of the drag strip. If you are looking to dominate the quarter-mile and want a camshaft that provides the aggressive, lumpy idle and top-end scream that only a true race cam can deliver, the Engle VZ-35 is your ultimate solution for air-cooled dominance.

FITMENT

This camshaft is designed for Type 1, 2, and 3 air-cooled Volkswagen engines. Due to its aggressive profile, it is strictly for competition and drag racing applications.

• VW Beetle: 1954-1977 (Standard & Super Beetle)
• VW Karmann Ghia: 1956-1974
• VW Bus/Transporter: 1955-1971 (Type 2)
• VW Type 3: 1962-1973 (Squareback, Fastback, Notchback)
• VW Thing: 1973-1974
• Custom Builds: Sand Rails, Dune Buggies, and Dragsters using Type 1 based engine cases

SPECS

The Engle VZ-35 is manufactured from high-quality billet blanks to withstand the rigors of high-lift racing applications.

• Part Number: E6035
• Total Lift (with 1.1:1 Rockers): .490 Inches
• Cam Lift: .448 Inches
• Advertised Duration: 309 Degrees
• Duration @ .050": 278 Degrees
• Lobe Center: 108 Degrees
• Material: Specialized Billet Steel
• Application: Competition Drag Race Only
• Required Components: New Lifters and Bolt-on Cam Gear (Sold Separately)

PRO TIPS

1. Critical Cam Break-In Procedure

Never skip the break-in process with a high-performance flat-tappet camshaft like the VZ-35. Before the first start, ensure the lobes are liberally coated with high-pressure assembly lube. Once the engine fires, immediately bring the RPM up to 2,0002,500 and hold it there for a full 20 minutes. This ensures that the lifters rotate properly and the cam lobes "mate" to the lifter faces. Also, always use a high-zinc (ZDDP) break-in oil; modern street oils lack the necessary anti-wear additives required for the extreme pressures of a race-profile camshaft.

2. Check for Coil Bind and Valve-to-Piston Clearance

With a .490-inch lift, you are pushing the physical limits of standard valve train geometry. It is mandatory to check for coil bind on your valve springs at full lift; you generally want at least .060" of remaining travel before the coils touch. Additionally, because the VZ-35 keeps the valves open longer and deeper into the stroke, you must "clay" your pistons to verify that the valves will not make contact with the piston crowns. High-lift cams often require fly-cutting the pistons or using specific high-compression race pistons with deep valve reliefs.

3. Optimize Your Valve Train Geometry

To get the full .490-inch lift advertised by Engle, your rocker arm geometry must be spot-on. We highly recommend using heavy-duty chromoly pushrods and high-strength rocker shafts. When the rocker arm is at half-lift, the adjusting screw should be in a straight line with the valve stem. Improper geometry not only "steals" lift from your engine but also puts excessive side-load on the valve guides, leading to premature wear and potential catastrophic failure during a high-RPM pass down the strip.