If you're afraid of the rough idle and low-speed drivability issues then split the difference and get the S1 camshafts. I personally like the FP4R's on the IX, but they're nearly as aggressive as the S2's so may not be a good fit for you.

 

If you have a IX you should definately go for the S2's. My car went from 404whp to 450whp from swapping in S2's and going speed density. Thread to that is in my sig I'm pretty sure. I'm running the BBK too.

 

HKS cams are good cams. I've been running them in my Evo 8 for the past 5 years. First a set of 272s, then a set of 280s. There are probably better choices out there now, but for relatively low lift cams, the HKS are, IMO, very good. I will be going with a set of Kelford 272s in the near future, mainly because I can use the added lift, since I already have a built valvetrain.

I'm going to assume that by VTC you mean variable timing control. The Evo 8 has no such provisions, no matter what kind of cam you run. You need an Evo 9 MIVEC head for that.

l8r)

 

Yes I am referring to variable timing control. I am aware of the non-mivec in the 8, but do you know if 8 owners swap the 9 head into the 8. I mean would that be a cheaper route and they can still produce decent power seeing is how the 9 cams are just as good as a set of mild aftermarket cams?

 

I'm not sure that you can swap a MIVEC head onto a non-mivec block. IIRC, the cooling passages are slightly different. You'd also have to update your ECU, as the Evo 8 ECU does not have any MIVEC tables/logic built into it.

l8r)

 

MIVEC doesn't "give" you more power, it may aid in the spool of the turbo, but it's not imperative to making big power. I know i have pretty much the same setup as my friend except for different cams. He has S2's and i have kelford 272's. He is mivec and i'm not and the power numbers are almost exactly the same. He just spools a lil better. Also the IX only has MIVEC on one of the cams i cant remember right now wether it's the intake or the exhaust cam, somone come in on that part for me. But a swap for a IX motor to an VIII isn't cost effective IMO.

 

Nice explanation, but i was under the impression MIVEC or any VTC keeps the valves open longer for more air, more air means more power, right? I believe it is on the intake cam.

 

well the oil pressure changes the Cam profile. but doesn't give more power like i said before it'll aid in spooling though. oh and the HKS cams are weak too! especially the 272's. the biggest reason the evo 9 makes more power than the 8 because it comes stock with a bigger turbo. I guess my biggest thing is. that if mivec gave you more power then people like Dave Buschur would be running it but his drag evo in an 8. I'm Know there are people here that can explain mivec better than i can.

 

Lets take a rsx (base model) vs rsx type s for example....both cars are n/a from the factory except the type s has V-TEC on both the intake and exhaust cam vice the base rsx only having V-TEC on the intake cam. I understand that in that particular car the major diffrence in hp is the cams and how the type s cams are more aggressive than the base model cams and because V-TEC is on both the exhaust and intake cam.

RSX base model=160hp
RSX type s=210 (05-06 model)

 

You've got some things confused. VTEC and VTC aka i-VTEC. All of Honda's prized engines (B18, B16, K20A(2), F20A..etc) are all VTEC, furthermore you are confusing Honda's i-VTEC with VTEC. You see, Honda's i-VTEC uses VTC (Variable Timing Control), which was the first in the market regarding variable cam phasing, Mitsubishi was well after with MIVEC(roughly the same as Honda's i-VTEC). i-VTEC was first seen on Honda's venerable K20A 2.0L. This engine first made it's debut in 2001 in Honda's JDM Integra Type R(DC5R). The K20A was derated and outfitted with different cams which gave it the K20A2 moniker and came to the states in 2002 in a watered down version of the DC5 (Acura RSX Type S).

Case in point, 99% of your high powered Honda engines are VTEC and only the Honda engines labeled i-VTEC have VTC cam phasing. VTC is on the intake cam only in the Honda i-VTEC engines, as well as Mitsubishi's MIVEC engines.

Regarding Mitsubishi's MIVEC. It's only really needed when making lower WHP(-700WHP) and is only there to help spool and also fuel efficiency and emissions. At a certain point, there is no need to have the MIVEC in place, because if you're making that kind of power, there is no need to utilize cam phasing, mostly due to the fact that the engine is now tailored for a certain duty and you'll most likely have to lock the cam in a static phase and thus making MIVEC useless. It would also be best in this kind of engine set-up, to not have a oil pressure drop from MIVEC and utilize this oil pressure elsewhere. Like Honda's VTC(i-VTEC), MIVEC is only on the intake cam and can only advance cam timing from 0 crank deg, not retard past 0 crank deg.

Now, regarding the difference in power ratings of the K20A(2)(z1) and the K20A3 is because of several major differences. The heads, static compression ratio, crank, rods, pistons and several other parts are totally different, which gives the K20 the advantage. The K20A(2)(z1) also has under piston oil squirters, as the K20A3 does not. The K20A(2)(z1) also features a cast aluminum oil pan, which significantly adds bottom end strength. The K20A3 is a much weaker engine, not only in power potential, but also in durability. I would know, i was one of the first to ever turbo charge a K20A2. I did R&D and dyno tuning for Hondata, GReddy and several others, using the K20A(2)(z1) engine. I also helped develop Hondata's KPro engine management system. The K20A(2)(z1) is a beast of a engine and probably one of the most advnaced engines ever developed. It's just too bad this engine was setup in a FWD chassis. But even then, it's no 4G63. The 4G63 is a low-tech sledgehammer. It's power potential is absurd and is the best 4 cylinder engine in the world, for a reason.

 

Makes perfect sense....well put. Thank you for the explanantion. I understand everything you are saying.

I also had a s/c 05 rsx type s and miss the hell out of it. You are correct, no 4G63, but none the less a badass motor. I am actually trying to get another one.

 

To the OP, the GSC S2's are a great cam. The Forced Performance FP4R's are great cams too. Either one of these will do awesome. As for drivability and idle issues, it's all in the tune.

 

get kelfords they make the most power and thats proven all day hehehe.

 

Misleading statement. Besides, there is more to a cam than peak power. There are other cams on the market that will out perform the Kelfords, one of which is the GSC S2.

 

the GSC S2's do not outperform the Kelfords on the VIII. atleast not according to the AMS cam shootout.