I posted something similar in the Vishnu forum, but got no useful answer yet. The question is, what is the ideal cam timing for stock cams and something like the XEDE, reflash, etc. and a 3"cat back exhaust? Basically, look at the picture and tell me what the dimension (in degrees) should be to obtain the best cam timing.

Thanks

 

bump

 

What are you trying to achieve by doing this. Are you trying to smooth out your idle or something

 

When mine were instaslled, the marks were perfectly lined up. I wouldn't have done it any other way.

 

There is supposed to be some good power gains and power curve improvements by retarding the cam timing. The picture above is a stock cam gear off my '03 GSR. All I want to know is how much should that angle be to get optimum results in a MR with XEDE and 3" cat back exhaust..... I'm disappointed that nobody will unequivocally tell me what that dimension should be

 

it would be easier to just buy adjustables. you are making it too hard.

 

It might be easier to just buy some adjustable cam gears. That's fine and I'm not opposed to it. I have a different idea and I want to see how it works. I also want a simple and definite answer and explanation. I don't see what's so hard about explaining just where to put that dowel hole so the cams are retarded -4° (or whatever is the best number). I know that somebody in this forum knows exactly the answer I need. I appreciate all the input everyone has given me, but still, nobody has explained exactly and definitely to my satisfaction where the dowel hole should be to retard the timing.... At least I want to know if the dowel hole should move to the right or to the left of where it is now as seen in that photograph.
Does anyone know? Can anyone tell me the right answer? Please?.....

Thanks

 

Well which way does the engine rotate? There is your answer to whether it is right or left.
There is a big difference between a simple adjustable gear setting and trying spec out where to position a cam pin hole in the center of the gear. Put the Makita away.

You have stock cams and advancing or retarding them is not going to do much for you. I don't think you will get the answer you are looking for because cam timing is a variable not a standard.

 

I've found part of the answer to my question... The locating hole must move CCW to retard the cam timing. I realize that the cam timing is a variable thing. However, it seems that there are certain "standard" settings that seem to work well with certain cam combinations. The Vishnu ppl have found that even with the stock cams the cam timing can be advantageously modified. They certainly sell enough cam gears .....
As for the Makita, I never even got it out of the case . My idea does not include my attempts at moving the hole in the stock cam gear yet.... You are in the right track though.... Thanks.

 

Adjusting stock cams = rice, especially when rigging a perfectly good oem part to do it. One of the locals lost -35 ft-lbs tq by adjusting the stockers.

 

Adjusting cam timing = rice??? I don't get it..... Vishnu has found more power with the addition and adjustment of cam gears with the stock cams. Ppl have been using adjustable cam gears with with stock cams in all kinds of imports and getting excellent results. Sure a person can lose power with them too if they adjust them wrong but that's the tuners fault and not the cam gears....

As for "rigging a perfectly good stock part" that's nonsense. How do you think they get reworked heads and stroker kits? You don't know what or how I would do what I want to do so please reserve your judgment until things are finished

 

if you are putting another hole in it do you think it would upset the balance of the cam gear? that's something to take into consideration... i don't know how carefully the gears are balanced but if they're down to the gram you'll be takin' out at least a gram of metal right?

adjusting your cam gears is not rice... and modifying stock parts is not rice either... apparently this guy has not frequented the dsm community enough... ever heard of a 1g crushed bov? rice that, sig has all these ****in' dsms...

 

The stock cams don't have much duration to play with. Retarding the stock cams 5 cam deg (10 crank deg) is excessive IMO. A figure like 2-3 deg is more realistic. Furthermore, one might find it more useful to do something like retard the exhaust 2 deg and leave the intake alone.

In any case, the more generous the cam timing (lift and duration), the more of a difference will be had by adjusting lobe centers and angle of separation.

 

I did consider that making modifications to the cam gears might upset their balance. I think this might be insignificant since the adjustable cam gears are a little bit asymetrical too, and I've never heard about problems there..... Also, the changes are very near the center of the cam gear where any imbalance would be much less noticeable.

Thanks for the input. This is what I was looking for, some good advise as to the relative amounts of cam timing retardation. My idea is to modify the stock cam gears to allow several amounts of timing retardation to be available by indexing the cam gears themselves rather than rotating the teeth in relation to the hub.....

I realize that indexing the cam gear is not a s simple as loosening the screws and rotating the cams. However, if there are some "cookbook numbers" that are known to "work" with certain cam combos, it would be practicable to use the stock cam gears. Also, by keeping the stock cam gears, you'd get a more stealth installation.....