I'm wanting to put straight cuts into a performance motor I'm building, but I wanted to know if there is a prefered brand I should be using ??

I'm probably going to use berg ones as I have stuff that I'm ordering from them this week....BUT....are CB performance, scat, bugpack etc all as good as each other ??

Cheers for your advice

Magnum via Berg for me.

Matt, these ones ?

http://www.geneberg.com/product_info.php?cPath=180_2775&products_id=474 

Yep

Yeah same as mine

Can someone explain what straight cuts actually are?

Ollie...

http://www.geneberg.com/cat.php?name=Technical%20Information&cPath=2775 

I concider a set for my new build but deceided not to use them after Dangerous Dave told me that they wear quickly.

IMO they don't wear prematurely all things being equal (that is good quality ones, esp steel/steel). I run them on all dual spring applications to prevent premature cam thrust bearing failure. (and yes, all my engines also get two thrust's fitted with directional oiling groove)

EDIT:The stock gears are helical gears that introduce a force that tries to drive the cam and crank in the direction of thrust in opposite directions, this will wear cam bearings when higher loads of more valve spring tension are encountered.

I just pulled down my 2110 running dual springs, fk87 and using a set of helical gears, no wear on the thrust, as i said dangerous dave told me he has pulled a few engines down and the straight cut gears were worn. i have a set of Gene Berge straights cut gears and would not use them in my new engine as the machining is very rough with the gears only machined and not ground.

I want straight cuts when I build my motor, are you able to adjust the timing with these without splitting the case every time you want to adjust them? Do they give you cam specs at .050" when you buy an aftermarket cam?. Forgive my ignorance, Ive only degreed cams in on Holden 8's, I'm guessin it would be done the same way

Most come with degree washers, so yes you can change the cam timing (+ or - 4deg) without splitting the case.

Yes Cams have the specs at .050 so you can dial in your cam.

Yep, pull the oil pump to adjust cam timing. There are all sorts of reasons they wear, no argument. I,ve also pulled engines to find premature cam bearing wear on the thrust so tend to sway towards straights, but certainly only a must with higher spring tensions.