Best cams that don't negatively influence bottom/mid and response
Here's a list of the cams that are out there. As you'll see @ 1mm, the HKS 272 isn't all that big. I went with the Kelford 264's because I found a set really cheap and have had decent results. Unfortunately I didn't do back/back tests so I can't just post the differences I found. They lope at idle for sure, and you can tell the car has cams, but it's not obnoxious like a real 272. You do get a bit of dash shake though. Once underway the power is smooth and doesn't fall off a cliff like stock cams.
Here's also a stock/S1/S2 compare posted by English Racing elsewhere on EvoM. I'd link to the original thread but can't remember where it is.
Here's also a stock/S1/S2 compare posted by English Racing elsewhere on EvoM. I'd link to the original thread but can't remember where it is.
Setup details: '04 USDM Evo 8, Kelford 264 @ 0/0, Evo9 DV, Walboro 255, 3port, eBay o2, 3" turbo back w/ "high flow" cat. 24 psi tapering to 21 @ 11.0, 3-12 deg timing. Logs on the street don't knock, only at the track where the car gets well into operating temperature.
You could retard the intake cam one degree, but it's almost certainly a result of accumulated heat in the cc, associated with prolonged WOT time on a road course.
Load goes from 270 @ 3600 -> 205 @ 7600 with a target a/f of 11.0 the whole way. Load past 6k starts dropping like a rock which I'm sure is due to backpressure. My tuner has convinced me to install a test-pipe for track use which will surely bring down cc temps.
If you are running 8 heat range spark plugs you can try running a 9 plug at the track only. This should lower the cc temp some. But beware, 9 plugs are for aggressive driving period. If you let it idle or cruise to long they will load up.9 plugs on the street only lasted me like 150 miles but I'm sure will last much longer if you use them for track only.
I'm gonna say GSC S1 for most low/mid/high balanced power.
My VIII came with it from the previous owner and I'm really enjoying the balance as great DD.
On my other Evos, I had HKS 272, Comp 280 and stock IX cams. HKS was the most disappointing in every way looking back now. Comp 280 was optimally set for high end but not so much else where. Stock IX was way too linear w/ Mivec for my taste.
GSC S1 hits the sweet spot for me and I'm really enjoying my latest Evo the best!
Good Luck!
My VIII came with it from the previous owner and I'm really enjoying the balance as great DD.
On my other Evos, I had HKS 272, Comp 280 and stock IX cams. HKS was the most disappointing in every way looking back now. Comp 280 was optimally set for high end but not so much else where. Stock IX was way too linear w/ Mivec for my taste.
GSC S1 hits the sweet spot for me and I'm really enjoying my latest Evo the best!
Good Luck!
Evolving Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 253
Likes: 4
From: Maryland
I ordered the Kelford 264/260 combo, will be installing this friday and tuning on a mustang dyno. I will post results. Also, iI will add 8 heat range plugs gapped at .22.
S1s ARE STILL ON BACK ORDER as of Monday 07 OCT 13
S1s ARE STILL ON BACK ORDER as of Monday 07 OCT 13
I like the way you think Sparky-- I too like the split duration cams.. one set not mentioned here is the latest HKS 274/278 that I am running, after I ran the 272/264 HKS combo and loved it. Like what I have now, at +2, -1, great lowend, midrange and vacuum--. Lets see if anyone has tested the combo you mentioned.
Evolved Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 500
Likes: 4
From: Australia
I don't see how an S2/S3 combo is not going to affect bottom end. S2's alone affect it, S3's are even worse. The added duration alone has to force the curve to the right which of course will subtract from the bottom end.
Thats the kicker on cams, if you go back and read thru some of what Ted B has written and some of the cam tests and other cam info you will find out thats its not about Duration. Its much more about duration at .040/.050 that tells the real story, cam profile and opening times have considerable affect on a cams performance. To address the split duration issue, the S2/S3 are highly respected on this forum and a split profile could yield so interesting results and broaden the power band-- we wont know until someone tries. Split duration cams are much more accepted overseas then in the states--. GL with your choices.