S3's too big for EF3?
 

I was recommended to get S3's on my ported EF3 on built 2.0 on E85. Went from HKS 272's and did the install myself. But my spool is crappy and was told it had to be another issue but cant figure it out. I think its the cams. Any input is appreciated.

define "crappy spool". as in what rpm does it hit peak boost? and compare it to the old cams for us. S3 do affect spool some, but I think its been shown to not be too much..

slow as in 20psi at 4k... full boost by 5k. This from the standard 2500RPM 3rd gear WOT

u switched cams... did you retune?

^ Yes bought the cams from my tuner installed and tuned

It isn't the cams so long as they're installed correctly, and if they are, S3s will make spool worse, not better.

Ted can cams be installed incorrectly and car still run strong its just laggy? And also the S3's were installed for power not to help spool. I had always heard the HKS cams were not great. Does 5k for full boost seem laggy? or is that about right for my cams and turbo?

If the cams are installed with incorrect timing, they can cause the situation you describe. And while HKS cams are not world beaters, the short (214 degree) effective duration of those cams does deliver quick spool.

I am not familiar enough with the spool characteristics of that turbo to give a confident opinion as to where it should be spooling. You'll need to do some checking around.

Thanks Tom I will have my cam install/timing checked before I decide to change anything. Can you recommend an article or site where I can check my timing? Or should that be left to the professionals?

Look through the 'How To' discussion titles for cam installation:

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/se...rchid=21316828

S3 cams are not too big for even a stock turbo. Installed a set a few months ago and can't tell the difference from stock other than noise

Nevertheless, there is a difference, it is a difference that is stark enough to see in actual back-to-back dyno comparisons (e.g. https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...ml), the S3 cams spool slower, not quicker than HKS 272, and his spool issue almost certainly isn't the fault of the cams unless they were installed incorrectly.

The most common cause of slow spool issues:

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...g-how-why.html

FYI

WOW, man you are still trying to figure out the slow spool? keep chasing man, you'll find it.

Actuator?