I have been looking around at cams and getting other peoples opinions and haven't decided what to do. I am going to do cams when I change my timing belt and I want good cams but I have never torn into a cars engine that far. After researching and watching videos and things I know I could do cams with a little time and help. I didn't want to change anything else like springs and retainers but decided I may have to with the GSC S2's. My question is how many people suggest to stay with the stock springs and save the time and money and how many of you run that setup with no problem or would you say do the springs and retainers regardless?

 

We normally use the GSC beehives at the same time as S2s. You can get away with it for a short period of time but we dont recommend running them higher than stock rev limit. I prefer doing things once and if I have the cams out anyway do the springs then.

my 2 cents.

aaron

 

2nd that ^

 

Well said arron..If you find someone that knows how to change the springs with the head on the car do it..

 

I only ever run my car to about 7200, so its so hard for me to decide, I will be doing this practically alone but I planned on doing ARP head studs so pulling the head is required isn't it? I am new to building any part of an engine. I know engines well just not in depth and rebuilding and stuff. Also with replacing the springs and retainers.... you don't need any head work correct? So no need for a machine shop to put it together or nothing? There is a guy I know that runs hks 272's and he didn't do springs, should he have done them?, or are those cams ok on stock springs?

 

hks cams are even in the same league as GSC S2's. You can happily run HKS 272's with stock springs.
If you're changing head studs, take the head off and do it properly. Otherwise it can leak if you do the 1x1 method.

 

Not true about the head studs there's tons of people who use the 1x1 method you just need to tq down the blots correctly.You can run your stock springs but it also depends on how your motor was driven and mileage cause the s2 will weaken the springs in due time.

 

Is this supposed to say, "hks cams ar NOT even in the same league?
I am not set on the GSC I just want a good cam that will give the most power without trading springs, what cam would that be? Also what would be the best cam if I did swap springs?

 

Get GSC S1's if you want to use stock springs, s2's if you want to upgrade..

I did my springs the same time as the cams with the head on the car.. It was not fun by any means but you gotta do what you gotta do to run s2's.

 

yes sorry, NOT should be in there.

+1 on S1's if you dont want to do springs

 

You can change the springs with the head on the car. They sell a fitting for a air hose to screw into the sparkplug hole and keep the cylinder filled with air/ keep the valves in place.