So I have been neglecting my timing belt upgrade for over 15k and suffice to say I need to have it replaced. Well how boring is it to spend $450+ on a belt. I'm going to have my car in the shop for a day and I figure why not get some other upgrades while its out of commission. What does everyone think I should have them upgrade while the motor is being wrenched on? I've read that cams are pretty easy to do while replacing a belt. My main goal to maximize my time in the shop. Let me know everyones thoughts. Thanks.

 

well we cant really suggest anything if you dont tell us what you currently have.

 

What are your current modifications?

 

Sorry I should have mentioned that above, the motor is stock. My only modifications are to the suspension.

 

How much can you spend?

 

With timing belt 1000-1200

 

Cams.

 

+1

 

agreed since your already in there.

 

What type of hp gain would I expect with cams and a tune?

 

Maybe 20-30hp. Depends. Cams are best put with other mods. I guess they do a lot more for the VIII because it doesn't have mivec.

What it will really do is completely change your power curve. You'll go from making peak HP at 4500-5000rpm with a heavy tail off to a more gentile curve that climbs gradually peaks at 6000 or higher and keeps the peak most of the way to redline. Much better power delivery for certain applications like drag racing. It will stack more power up to and sacrifice some down low. The big thing it will do is hold more HP all the way to redline.

 

Thanks, that was really informative. Im not looking to build drag car but that new power curve sound pretty appealing.

 

+1 to cams definitely a noticable power increase on 8's

 

I might be getting ahead of myself. I think I'm going to stick with the timing belt change for now and follow the classic upgrade sequence. Filter, Downpipe TBE then tune. I'm starting to think it would be silly to go straight to cams before the basics am I right?

 

If you drive anything like me you rev out to at least 7K-7.5K when you're pushing the car. Each shift puts you back to 4000rpm's or there abouts. So acceleration is all done between 4000-8000 rpm's. What cams basically do is take more of your available power and hold it in that rpm range. With the stock cams you're basically out of the peak HP range shortly after shifting. The stock cams don't breath as good and aren't capable of holding that power higher up in the rpms.

You're right that cams are best put in with more fuel, bigger injectors, ect. From what I've read on these forums though the 8's stock cams leave a lot to be desired. What I would think is you might be able to get it done slightly cheaper seeing as you'll have the engine partially apart then doing the cams later separately. On an 8 if you plan on building for more power they pretty much have to be done depending on your HP goals.

You should be doing an intake, exhaust, manual boost controller, boost gauge, fuel pump, and tune. However if that was done after cams the gains would be substantial compared to the same upgrades done on stock cams.