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-   -   Racer Brown (http://www.moparchat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76048)

FASTDARTCHESTER 10-03-2003 11:15 AM

Racer Brown
 
Just curious why Racer Brown doesn't advertise?

Is the underground/word of mouth all he needs?

ehostler 10-03-2003 02:17 PM

He gets al of the business that he needs from word of mouth and a couple of contracts.

If he started advertising and had a full blown website, he would have to hire more employees and hire people to grind the cams.

Right now, Jim is the only one grinding cams. That means that he has full control over the quality of the product that he is selling. If others were doing the grinding, he wouldn't have the same level of quality.

FASTDARTCHESTER 10-03-2003 02:20 PM

So, basically, I would have to contact him direct and spell out my combo to him?

Any idea on his lead times??

ehostler 10-03-2003 03:29 PM

Most of the time he ships within 48 hours of your order. I have heard of the rare instances of 1 - 2 weeks.

FASTDARTCHESTER 10-03-2003 03:37 PM

Ed,

Have you useed his cams? If so, what kind of application. How do they compare with other manufacturers?

I am seriously considering a 318 stroker buildup over the winter for my '69 Charger. Looking at using Eddy heads and nothing but the best goodies for this one. I really want the cam matched to the combo.

I have a big problem using the cast 4" crank if it is indeed manufactured in China, from both the political standpoint and the fact that most cast components out of China suck balls. I still do not have proof that they are manufactured there.


TD

atoetly 10-03-2003 04:30 PM

I've used two different grinds from jim in two seperate 440 engines. Power out the azz!!!

ehostler 10-03-2003 07:37 PM

I haven't used them yet, but, when I go to rebuild my 440, it will get a Racer Brown cam. If I recall correctly, Don (cuda66273) is using a Racer Brown cam in his cuda.

megajoltman 10-03-2003 08:12 PM

I've heard nothing but good things and he's a mopar nut too so will try him next time!

Bagherra 10-03-2003 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ehostler
I haven't used them yet, but, when I go to rebuild my 440, it will get a Racer Brown cam. If I recall correctly, Don (cuda66273) is using a Racer Brown cam in his cuda.
There is Racer Brown cam in my RR.

maxxmopar 10-03-2003 09:40 PM

racer brown
 
how can I contact racer brown?

FearThe4Doors 10-03-2003 11:22 PM

posted in the Cam Grinds thread:

Quote:

Originally posted by ehostler
He grinds hydraulic, solid, and roller cams.

This is his contact info from the ultimate phonebook sticky at the top of Preformance talk.

Company: Racer Brown
Contact: Jim Doyle
Phone Number: 410-866-7660
Email: None
Web Site: OLYP
Specialty: Custom Cam Grinding
Location: Baltimore Maryland

Racer Brown is a professional business that has been grinding cams for over 35 years.

If you would like to learn a lot about cams, there is a great article my Racer Brown. The only online place that I have found it, is on a Datsun board. Don't let that concern you, as this is everything that you ever wanted to know about cams (and then some). It uses a Datsun engine as an example, however, the theories are much the same for the larger V8.

Datsun camshaft & valve timing

I think i'll be looking into him for my cam too after all that has been said regarding him and his work

FASTDARTCHESTER 10-06-2003 08:35 AM

yep, me too.

jleilich 10-06-2003 10:43 AM

ok here is the skinny on Racer Brown. Jim Dowell, (not Doyle)is the owner and pretty much the only employee. he is a guy in his late 40's or so, and is a huge mopar guy. he owns many mopars to include a factory lightweight Hemi car. His shop is this shack looking place on Philidelphia rd, In baltimore county maryland.
he has these giant lathes that he grinds cams on. He pretty much uses the same one and has one for a back up incase his primary goes south.

He's kinda crazy, real wierd guy, but real nice. I go down there at least a few times a week to BS with him. He doesnt really take credit cards. I think when he ships stuff he uses COD. he doesnt even have a computer. he keeps track of everything on paper. amazingly does a good job of it too. The guy knows everything there is to know and more about cam shafts and engines. His camshafts WILL make more power than any other cam shaft out there. WHY? because he sits there and watches the cam shaft while its being ground. His cams arent mass produced. When he says custom grind he means it because he grinds the cam when you order it. He doesnt have cams laying around waiting to be shipped. he doesnt advertise cus he doesnt have to. He has more than enough work. He doesnt have a web site cus he doesnt know how to use a computer. lol
When you call Racer Brown you will talk to Jim. Tell him what you are doing. what car, weight, where you want to be, all that good stuff, (he'll ask you). He has talked me out of spending money that i didnt need to many times. like.. you'll say for instance.. i want a big roller cam with all the bells and whilstles. and he'll say "why do you want that?" Ill tell him ,and he will say "you dont have to do that you can make more power with less money if you do this"..... even if it means he is going to make less money off of the sale.

bottom line....If you buy anything but a Racer Brown cam. you are crazy or stupid.
anyone have any questions about Racer Brown feel free to ask me. or email me..

jleilich 10-06-2003 10:50 AM

oh.. he works wierd hours. if you call him, call after 3pm eastern time. and sometimes he goes out around 5 or 6 pm for dinner and stays late, sometimes till 10. so if no one answers try again later on. He works saturdays too. he

ehostler 10-06-2003 12:23 PM

OK then, how about a history lesson on Racer Brown...

I know that Racer Brown has been making cams since the late 60s. If Jim is in his 40s, there is no way that he was grinding cams when he was in his diapers. So, did Jim buy the company from the original or what??

dave571 10-06-2003 01:35 PM

Jim has been described to me as a good ole boy, by Don. So I doubt he's only in his 40's.

Good shape for his age maybe?

Or maybe he is the second "Racer Brown":confused:

jleilich 10-06-2003 01:48 PM

jim bought the company years ago.. maybe he is in his 50's the company used to be in california. he isnt that old thought. im a bad judge of age.. he is definitly younger than my dad and he just turned 60. early 50's at the oldest

dkn1997 10-06-2003 04:32 PM

maybe he is the dred pirate roberts of the cam grinding world?

(from a movie, stupid, but amusing)

ehostler 10-06-2003 05:18 PM

That would make him the Dred Pirate Racer Brown... ;)

Also, I do know that Don has never met Jim in person. He has only spoken to him on the phone.

FASTDARTCHESTER 10-06-2003 05:39 PM

haha

it's that whole Wilson (home improvement) thing revisited.

Don's physical existence has been verified though, hasn't it???

ehostler 10-06-2003 06:35 PM

Only in pictures... Funny thing is, you never can get a good look at his face in those pictures... LOL

Bagherra 10-06-2003 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ehostler
Only in pictures... Funny thing is, you never can get a good look at his face in those pictures... LOL
I met him (Don) in person. Stayed with him in Oregon and watched some racing too.

I can verify that there is a physical presence behind the online name. :D

Windsor377 10-06-2003 09:09 PM

That's it. I'm going to make a visit for sure.

bbeckwith 10-06-2003 10:57 PM

I just ordered a cam from Jim this afternoon. Pleasant talking with him, he didnt talk down to me like some other cam phone line help has. Just that was enough for me to feel comfortable dealing with him. He asked about my intended combo and recommended a cam for my 340 I'm building, as well as helping me select springs and lifters. I will let everyone know how this motor works out when I have it finished and broken in, however, I take my time with this kind of work, so it may be another month or so till I'm back on the road.

:) :D :cool:

98Durango5.9 10-07-2003 04:25 PM

Whats your build up and what cam did he recommend if you dont mind me asking.

Fury Boy 10-23-2003 05:22 AM

I can verify Don is real to and not some automated voice!
I did some racing with him at woodburn, but he was running 12.0s, I was running 13.8s!

CudaMike 10-23-2003 08:24 AM

Does Jim (RB) do any hydraulic roller cams? Thanks

ehostler 10-23-2003 10:59 AM

Yes. Jim does any cam that you can fit into your engine.

bbeckwith 10-29-2003 10:12 PM

98Durango,
I'm sorry I didnt notice you asked me about my buildup till now. :eek: I have a 1969 block 340 with forged crank, Diamond 10.7 to 1 forged pistons .040 over. Ported 915 heads with 2.02 intakes and 1.60 exh. RPM Air Gap w/ Holley 750 dp. Its a stick shift A-833 with 3.91 8.75" suregrip. MSD 6A w/billet distributor and blaster coil. I had been using the Mopar purple stick street hemi grind and my previous combo made great power, now I'm using Racer Brown ssh25 cam, 238 @ 50 - 286 duration, and 485 lift. Cant wait to fire this one up!

:) :D :cool:

bbeckwith 10-29-2003 10:13 PM

dupe


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