What does "dual camera" mean?
Marketing is an important component of car sales. Whether it's advertising the Chevrolet big block V8 as a "rat engine" or the infamous "six-cylinder Hemi", consumers are usually attracted to automotive products or components that have a creative brand name rather than specific product benefits. One of the most commonly misunderstood nicknames is the twin cam engine configuration. Although they are becoming more common in modern cars and trucks, many consumers have no idea what it actually means or what it is used for.
Listed below are some facts about what a twin cam engine is, how it works, and the benefits of using it in modern car, truck, and SUV engines.
Defining a Dual Camera Configuration
A traditional piston-driven internal combustion engine has a single crankshaft that drives pistons and connecting rods connected by a chain to a single camshaft that opens and closes the intake and exhaust valves during a four-stroke process. The camshaft is not necessarily above the cylinders or near the valves themselves, and tappets are used to open and close the valves.
A twin cam engine has two camshafts, specifically a double overhead camshaft or DOHC, which determine the location of the valve train. While it sounds cool to say you have a twin cam engine, it's not always the right term.
In a two-cam engine, two camshafts are located inside the cylinder head, located above the cylinders. One camshaft controls the intake valves and the other controls the exhaust valves. The DOHC engine has several features that are unique to its design. For example, rocker arms are smaller or may be absent altogether. A wider angle is seen between the two types of valves than a single overhead camshaft or SOHC.
Many DOHC engines have multiple valves on each cylinder, although this is not required for the engine to run. Theoretically, more valves per cylinder improve engine power without increasing airflow. In practice, this is not always true. It really depends on the engine configuration whether this type of cylinder head installation will be beneficial.
Benefits of Dual Camera
Professional mechanics agree that the best way to improve engine performance is to ensure good airflow through the cylinder heads. While most engine shops achieve this by enlarging the intake and exhaust valves, manifolds, and porting and polishing the chambers for smooth flow, car manufacturers have adopted the multi-valve-per-cylinder configuration. The DOHC design allows for less restrictive airflow at higher speeds. If the engine also has a multi-valve design, it also has improved combustion for improved efficiency due to the placement of the spark plug.
Because DOHC or twin cam engines have improved airflow through the cylinders, they are often comparatively more powerful and provide better acceleration. They can also improve efficiency, which means saving money at the gas station. In addition, DOHC engines tend to run quieter and smoother. Today, twin cam engines are available for a wide range of vehicles, from entry-level hatchbacks to performance-enhancing sports cars.
