Hey guys. I've tried to look this up on my own but I can never get a clear answer. What camshaft setup would you recommend for a Evo IX 5 speed with the stock turbo? That includes cam, gear, belt, springs etc. My mods are as follows:

-ETS intercooler
-Tomei exhaust
-MAPerformance downpipe
-STM headers
-upgraded injectors (not sure of brand or cc)
-ported intake manifold
-Vibrant air intake
-Spark Tech spark plugs
-Competition Clutch Stage 2

I want the most power I can get for the money. I'm also looking for reliability as I drive this car a lot. Any info you can provide will be helpful. Thanks.

 

Kelford 274's or GSC S2's. GSC springs and retainers or the Kiggly Springs and retainers. AEM gears. OEM belts

 

Cheapest and easiest upgrade will be the S1s on stock turbo using stock springs. I still run them on a 2.3 with a BBK Full though I should consider upgrading at this point to S2s.

 

Gsc s2

 

S2's

 

The stock 9 turbo on stock bottom end is just out of steam. Sure it can make more but you have to shoot for all the boost and thats not going to make the stock rods/bolts happy about it. A spike /fall dyno graph wil result. I'd rather have a larger powercurve .

Unless you are doing the 60K service or T belt replacement I would upgrade to an 71HTA Since the stock 9 turbo is out of steam around 400whp on Ethanol for people respecting the 400tq limit on stock rods. Sure some S2's springs/retainers would make a little more power Your money is better spent on a turbo upgrade like the HTA71 or a JB green/red.


The stock mivec cams aren't terrible. I made what everyone else( with cams ) makes on stock cams/turbo 400/400 on a dynojet at 30psi. The turbo is just out of breath. I also made over 600whp on them just by turning the boost up on a fp red. The 8 cams are a different story.

With proper boost control you can respect the 400tq limit and make around 430-450whp on the HTA71 and have a turbo that goes like a champ to 8000.

Rough math
Gsc S2's =616
Springs/retainers =370
valve cover gaskets/sparkplug gaskets =40

Timing belt tools/labor for someone to do it correctly. =100-500
=1126-1526 400-420whp with the turbo still falling after 6500

HTA71 =700
oil line 250
Orings/washers/gaskets= 50
simple enough for anyone to bolt on

=900 , 430-450whp and the turbo goes well to 8000

You can also go FP red and make 500whp easy on stock bottom end or more with a stiffer then 18psi actuator and injector .

Most importantly having it tuned well and using good fuel is going to be the key.

 

+1 on the S1 cams. They work really well with smaller turbos, since they (turbos) can only push a limited amount of air anyway. A larger cam will shift the power band to the right, which small turbos can't support, so may as well take advantage of their sweet spots.

 

Are you running E85 or pump gas? On pump gas, cams or a 71hta would be a good upgrade. If on E85, I would do the turbo first.

 

So let's at I did upgrade my ix turbo to the hta71, and was still looking to install cams, would the S1s or S2s better fit that setup?

 

It honesty depends on where you want your power band.
smaller cam = mid range punch
larger cam = top end rush with better dyno numbers.
since that turbo is relatively small, you would be okay either way. I ran S1 cams and loved it. Instant boost. I could roll from a stop sign, floor it, and spin my street tires in first. Not spectacular, but that turbo was the most fun I've had in my car.

 

S2 works great on a 9, no need to get a s1 unless you are on a budget and cant fit upgraded springs and retainers at the same time..

this being on a upgraded turbo such as hta71.. on a stock turbo no need to upgrade the cams, just upgrade the turbo first as you did..

 

Oem

 

S2 Cams, GSC Springs+Titanium retainers, and ARP head studs. Work great for your setup and I dont recall who I think it was TScomp that posted no matter how big the cam you will still see good results on a smaller turbo.

 

Why would he need head studs?

 

P.S. regarding the HTA71. I see someone above recommending the FP oil line with it. FP doesn't require the oil feed line for that turbo (They say it's basically OEMish on the inside anyway). I ran it off the stock feed line and never had a hiccup. That makes it an even cheaper option. The HTA71 is a super, super cheap upgrade with nothing but upside.