Ordered a 6266 based kit on stock block.

My own personal feelings are to get some Tomei 280 or BC 280's, because sound is a big deal, and the tubular kit+big turbo+big cams is going to give me the 'Honda-like' scream I want.

But, my bottom end will be non-existent, and that's compounded by having to keep TQ under 400, and revs under 8500.

I dont want to give up sound, but what would be good cams to get some mid-range back? I'm gonna assume that the turbo alone would keep my peak at 8000+.

 

i have not heard very many good things about either one of them cams. kelford c cams sounds pretty bad *** as long as you tell tuner to tune for sound at idle and s2 cams arnt that bad as well or you can wait till the s3 cams come out i have heard soon by end of this year.

 

Gsc s2

 

GSC S2 w

 

I also suggest GSC S2. I love them.

 

I'd say AMS TMP cams. Nice blend and will give you a better midrange. I've actually seen dyno graphs that show you pickup a couple hundred RPMs of spool over a smaller cam like the S1 with a efr 7670 setup, so it actually seems to help spool the medium sized turbos like a 7670.

 

Now what are the upper gains compared to some of these low/mid helper cams?

I don't want to leave a bunch of extra power on the table. I'll already be doing so by having stock block. But lets if I blow it up, and just go max on the 6266 or bigger, would I then need the 'stage 3' cams?

 

By "stage 3" I assume you mean something like GSC S3, Kelford C (very aggressive profiles).
I am not a fan of the "stage" terminology personally.
Look, if you're not on a built block running like a giant EFR 9174 I would just stick to something like GSC S2, Kelford B, AMS TMP, middle of the road type cams.
They will be plenty. Keep in mind with stiff valve springs you always run the chance of the exhaust cam gear failing. Doesn't always happen, but there's a slight chance. Just so you're aware.

 

Gsc s2. Great power band and help build 30 psi by 5100 rpm.

They really pull hard uptop.

 

So everyone's suggesting middle level cams.

That's why put 'stage 3' in quotes. Though no company lists stages, most have 3 cam types.

A drop-in that needs no valvetrain work
A mild one that does need valvetrain work
An idle killer that pulls to 9K+

And exhaust gear failing, you say? Ill search that.

 

most of the cams will need valve train work that aren't the s1's..also you'll need springs for most of them as well. cams isn't something you just throw in. the 6266 needs the gcc s2

 

A billet exhaust cam shell should be mandatory for any Evo X owner upgrading cams and springs. It's approx $170 and could save you tons of money in the long run.

Also, since you are on stock block, if you do the math, you will know how much horsepower you need to "bind" yourself to.

Taking the "keep it under 400wtq" rule:

8000 rpm
390wtq = 595whp

7500 rpm
390wtq = 557whp

7000rpm
390wtq = 520whp

6500rpm
390wtq = 483whp

 

You're absolutely right about billet exhaust gear housing being mandatory. I regret not buying one and having it installed at the same time my cams were done. I haven't had any issues with the stock one (knock on wood) but it's always in the back of my mind.
Now that I'm in the northeast the closest reputable shop is Kaizen. Maybe I'll ask them how much they'd charge to install one so my mind can be at ease. What do you think is a ballpark fair price for labor on that? Doesn't need retuning or anything after installing the cam gear shell right? Just a drop in type thing?

 

No retune needed as it operates exactly the same as stock.

I would imagine the labor would be the same as a timing chain job (minus a new chain) as it involves taking off the whole engine side panel to get to the cam phasers. Much more involved than the CT9A.

 

is this what they call "mivec housing?"so were clear