Best Cams for the Money
Best Cams for the Money
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, BC
I've heard a lot of good things lately about the Tomei Procams. GSCs and Kelfords are good too. That being said, it really comes down to your set up and what your goals are. You need to do some research and figure out what will work best with your set up. If have a big turbo and are looking for big HP, then you need a big cam, but your drivability will suffer. If you're still on a stock turbo and don't want your whole car to shake at idle, then look into something smaller.
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dont forget the size of your cams should also match your motor, i stayed with the 2.0 and jumped from kelford 272 to gsc S3 cams, then my tuner told me i should of stayed with the kelford 272 since i stayed with a 2.0; he said if i had stroked the motor to a 2.3 liter then the S3 cams would of been fine. basically i think it had to do with the torque curve and when it kicks in, im sure like many i wish i knew back then what i know now, good luck with your selection.
Newbie
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 92
Likes: 1
From: Kanagawa, Japan
Depends entirely on the engine and what you use the car for. If it is a standard or mildly modded (Turbo, exhaust, boost up) road car, TOMEI Poncam 260s are definitely best. Second would be GSCS1.
From there it can go anywhere, it really is set up and use dependent.
From there it can go anywhere, it really is set up and use dependent.
Evolving Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: Holloman AFB New Mexico
dont do the BC 272s..... thats what i have and i didnt really notice a difference in power even after a tune. u wont get cam lope or anything. still feels like a stock cam. im either gonna switch to the GSC s1 or s2 depending on my motivation to swap valve springs.
while i agree that the cams should be matched to the motor etc, I am going to slightly disagree with Mr. Ralliart.
The tomei and s1 cams provide a very linear power band most similar to stock, doesnt shift the power band to the right as dramatically, and "can" be run on stock valvetrain, i disagree that they are best for a mildly modded motor.
but EvoM standard, my car is very mildly modded. I have the S2s with full valvetrain, and even with the stock turbo, they perform killer, great power, good mid range tq with more up top, even on the stock turbo. this enhancement will only further show itself when more power is added.
I think more accurately it would be the current and future goals of the car. if it is stock like drivability with minimal loss in spool, sure, the s1s. but if you plan on going big turbo or want the max power, there are better options. might as well do it once and do it right.
i vote gsc, but im biased. next I would say kelfords, stms, br etc. that cam test is old and not necessarily reflective of current market. call MAP or any big name vendor and they will for sure help you out based on set up and goals.
The tomei and s1 cams provide a very linear power band most similar to stock, doesnt shift the power band to the right as dramatically, and "can" be run on stock valvetrain, i disagree that they are best for a mildly modded motor.
but EvoM standard, my car is very mildly modded. I have the S2s with full valvetrain, and even with the stock turbo, they perform killer, great power, good mid range tq with more up top, even on the stock turbo. this enhancement will only further show itself when more power is added.
I think more accurately it would be the current and future goals of the car. if it is stock like drivability with minimal loss in spool, sure, the s1s. but if you plan on going big turbo or want the max power, there are better options. might as well do it once and do it right.
i vote gsc, but im biased. next I would say kelfords, stms, br etc. that cam test is old and not necessarily reflective of current market. call MAP or any big name vendor and they will for sure help you out based on set up and goals.
The ams cam test doesnt apply here... Whoever posted it doesnt know jack... Those are evo 8 cams... Which are conpletely diff then mivec cams... At least i assume we are talking mivec with an evo 9. Cam selection is based off a lot... Power goals first and foremost... If you want lower end torque smaller cams are best... If you have a stroker higher lift low duration cams are best since the rev limit chokes the power band... Turbo flow rate and head mods also come into play... Basically we need to know your setup and goals before a legitimate cam suggestion should be made... Bust a decent set of all around preformers are gsc s2's or kelford 272s...
dont forget the size of your cams should also match your motor, i stayed with the 2.0 and jumped from kelford 272 to gsc S3 cams, then my tuner told me i should of stayed with the kelford 272 since i stayed with a 2.0; he said if i had stroked the motor to a 2.3 liter then the S3 cams would of been fine. basically i think it had to do with the torque curve and when it kicks in, im sure like many i wish i knew back then what i know now, good luck with your selection.
You need a new tuner. S3s are run in built 2.0s w/ ported/upgraded heads revving to the moon all the time. Saying S3s don't belong in 2.0s is a bit off.
Last edited by nollij; Aug 22, 2013 at 07:50 AM.
Love the Tomei 268 and 270 but have high lift. Require springs so if you arent ready to invest in that then dont do it! However just seems like the best camshaft for small turbo set up.
GSC S2 or Kelford 272 both get great results and dont require spring. Also work well with stock frame or larger pte type of turbo.
GSC S2 or Kelford 272 both get great results and dont require spring. Also work well with stock frame or larger pte type of turbo.