Tried searching, but found a few different opinions from everyone. Will be installing the BC 272 this weekend, and have seen a few different opinions on cam timing with adjustable gears. A thread by HPF said to install them at -1 in/ +1 ex... where some other threads have been -4 on both.

Thanks

 

On the stock turbo I would think the -1/+1 would work best but I haven't messed with the Crowler cams before tuning wise.

 

I would leave the stock cam gears in place. Thats just me... and Buschur :-)

 

Hey... you're the installer so if you want, we can go with that and see what it does

 

Sounds good!

 

The BC 272s are ground on 106LC and have an LSA of 106, which is best suited toward smaller turbos and better midrange torque as opposed to all out power. This should give a very good street feel and a fairly lumpy idle.

For drag racing, I'd move them to -4/-2. That gives LCs of 114/110, with an LSA of 112. It won't do anything good for spool, but it will improve high rpm power.

 

So you dont have to change the cam gears for the 272s?

 

Of course not. Cam gears just make it so you can basically manipulate the powerband. For instance, like Ted B said, gain some top end, but lose some spool. Or you could gain spool, lose some top end. Youre basically taking power from somewhere, and with the right settings, putting it where you want it. Personally, I think they are a waste and just add to making things unreliable, since there are stories of the bolts coming loose and your motor taking a poop. However, this is just my opinion, some agree, some dont. I like Buschur's style though. If you can go 7s on the stock cam gears, you dont need different ones! Ive always used stock cam gears and had great success

 

So i guess the only thing needed when installed cams is just a tune? I been reading that everyone say not to boost your car before you tune for cams but how can you tune the car with out making a full out run?

 

Got it, thanks

 

Of course you can just install the cams. A tune is obviously needed to get the most power out of the cams. People say not to boost your car because before you install the cams, we dont know what sort of tune you already have, so technically, you could be running very lean after the cams lets say. However, usually this is not the case, but every car is different and it depends on the state if tune your car was in before the cams went in. If you are going to tune it, you keep a close eye on your A/F, knock, etc when you do floor it to make sure its safe to floor it, and from there, you start tuning.

 

That's like saying . . .

"If one can go fast with the factory turbo, he doesn't need an FP Green!"

Technologies like MIVEC, VANOS, VTECH, and others exist because there is no such thing as the ideal cam timing for everything, and different makers cams are timed all over the place. A tuning tool like adjustable cam gears isn't useful for everyone, just those who want to take the time to understand how to use them to their advantage.

 

No, thats a not a good example because "fast" is a matter of opinion, while going 7s for instance, is not.

But anyway, I am aware that there is no ideal cam timing, but I would say of most of the mods you can do to your car, cam gears are definitely one of those that you dont "need" by any means. I wouldnt sacrifice any spool for top end. Others might. Its a matter of opinion. I know you like them and choose to use them, I do not, and some other people (like well known drag racers such as Buschur) have the same opinion as I. Thats all.

 

Please don't worry about his cam gears, we will take care of it. Thanks for the input Ted!

 

I choose to use them because it isn't uncommon to extract another 10-20whp from a ~400whp car, depending upon how the cams are timed from the manufacturer. My personal opinion is that's too much to ignore, but I can only speak for myself. Again, not everyone knows the particulars about what changes in cam timing actually do and how to manipulate that to one's advantage, not even a few well-known drag racers. But then again, it's easier to put together a 1000whp EVO than it is to design a set of cams anyway.

I'm not here to sell cam gears or argue something so basic as to why mechanical tuning is as influential as electronic tuning. My point with the turbo analogy represents the fact that there there is potentially as much power to be found in cam timing optimization as is in half of the other things people buy for their cars, and therefore to promote the use of one thing while ignoring the other doesn't make sense. In short, if one knows how to use them, then it's probably worthwhile to do so. If not, don't.