This weekend I put my HKS 264intake and 272exhaust cams. Everything went perfect with no issues and everything is torqued to spec. The car runs and sounds great no issues what so ever. My question is that when I installed the cams and had everything back together and torqued to spec I took my long open end wrench and wiggled the cams back a forth a very small amount maybe 5 deg or so to make sure they weren't froze up since I have everything back together before I went on. When I did this I noticed that the Intake cam was harder to move than the exhaust cam. I am guessing this is normal since it has more lift and I have a shorter duration cam 264 on the intake and 272 on the exhaust. Once again the car runs fine and I couldn't find any issues with the install. I even took it back out checked it and reinstalled it just to be sure. I notice this when changing the adjustments on my cam gears as well so I just wanted some reassurance so please let me know your experience as well. It almost acts like the intake springs are stiffer.

 

Well, I'm no mechanic, but if your engine is running okay, you probably did it right...I'd figure if you f-ed up the install, you'd know it the first time you tried to start the engine...

 

Yes I realize that, I had full confidence in my install I just wanted to ease my mind so I was asking others if they had the same experience. Thanks though.

 

Sounds like youve got OCD; Welcome tp the club.... lol lol

After all my work I take it really easy for the first couple thousand miles or until I get that thought out of my mind.....

try thinking about something else to break up that viscous cycle...

 

One of my adjustable cam gears was "tighter" than the other on my car. That may be what is causeing the difference in resistance to turning you felt when you adjusted them.

Keith

 

Ya but it was the same way before I started the car up while moving the cams with a open end wrench with the belt removed. I am glad that it didnt loosen up any becuase that would really make me feel that somthing broke loose. I think this is normal but just wanted to see if anyone else came to the same conclusion.

 

Why don't you try repeating the test w/ the engine in a slightly different position. I'm sure the "tightness" that you felt was just the cam lobe trying to actuate the valves. The exhaust cam lobes probably weren't resting against any valves, and thus felt looser.

 

When I did the install everything was set at TDC so both Intake and Exhaust cams were in the same position basically, both were resting on springs a small amount.

 

Did you drain your lifters during your install? When you removed your stock cams, the lifters fully extend. Maybe that's what caused your intake cam to feel more stiff when you turned it. Your install should be fine if you car is running fine right now.

 

No I didn't, hopefully that would be the reason. Would they always be more stiff than the exhaust side? Turning the cam gears after the install for testing and tuning they were still harder to turn and not like unreasonable but it could be felt. I also realize that the intake cam has a higher lift with a shorter duration so I didn't know if it could be felt that much or not. And thanks for you input it is appreciated.

 

I am thinking I found some more evidence why it feels so much difference, stock lift is 9.8 I believe on intake and exhaust. HKS is 10.8 on the Intake side and 10.2 on the exhaust side so I think is main difference in feel. At a spring rate I am guessing that will be very noticiable, I didn't know the stock lift specs before. Just more core evidence to throw into the pit.

 

Stupid question,but I have to ask.Did you use any type of "assembly lube" on cam caps at
all.Usually when installing new anything into any bearing surface it is a really good pratice
to use some assembly lube as it provides superior lubrication to just oil.I am just asking as
putting cams in "dry" so to speak will create some resistance when trying to spin.Also,did
you install all cam caps in correct direction and in proper place???

 

Yes and Yes, I an going to pull the cover off again this weekend just to double check the torque specs and caps when I install my head studs so I will double check my order too, thanks for that tip. I checked it twice when I was in there but sometimes I know that your mind can play tricks on you so I will take that into consideration when I pull back appart.

 

the spring pressure on the cam lobes was not the same. for one, you have different cams intake and exhaust. even if they were exactly the same, they won't be in the same phase at the same time.

it's perfectly fine but since you're going back in there to do head studs I'm sure you'll check it out again before you feel better about it.

 

If your really that worried about it you can always donate them to a neighbor. Really though I think we did everything right when installing them so dont worry. How do you like them any way?