Hi Guys

I have an issue on this 2012 EVO X GSR 4B11 that we're working on at my shop and I am trying to narrow down the issue and why we cant get rid of this code. Here is everything that we did on this EVO the first time:

1422, NGK Laser Iridium Spark Plug
SS 71314, Valve Stem Seal Kit
1032A123, Engine Camshaft Follower (3.33mm)
GSC S2 Camshafts
Torque Solution Billet Exhaust Cam Gear Housing
Manley Valve Springs And Titanium Retainers
MN 183892, OEM Timing Guide Rail
MN 183894, Timing Chain Tensioner
24420-25002, Timing Chain Tensioner G
1140A073, Timing Chain
Bench flashed ECU back to stock and installed a break in tune
5W30 Conventional Motor Oil - Chain Wear (Required Conventional Oil For Camshaft Break In)
5W30 Conventional Motor Oil - Chain Wear (Required Conventional Oil For 1000 Miles Or 20 Hours Of Engine Use, Return Back To Full Synthetic Oil Change After) Never got to finish the break in before running in to issues

-After the first job, we went out for road test and found P0014 code right away. We found issues with the Torque Solution Billet Cam Gear Housing that it got locked up and was stuck in advance timing. So at this point we will be doing the job over again....
-The billet housing required loctite to be applied to the OEM cam gear so we were unable to remove the housing. We then ordered a OEM housing with cam gear, then reinstall the exhaust cam and redid the timing once again. Yes timing was done correctly along with the cams.
-After the second time, we then did multiple road test with about 2 hours of driving and did not find any issues. The customer came and picked up the car and drove it home but as he went home a CEL P0014 came back up. He then drove the car back to our shop to reinspect everything and this is where we are at right now with the car and I have some questions that hope someone can help me with.

-Oil pressure is good (Oil level was perfect)
-Camshaft position sensor was good (Tried to replace with a new one but no change)
-Crankshaft position sensor was good (Tried to replace with a new one but no change)
-Exhaust engine oil control valve was good (Tried to replace with a new one but no change)
-Oil passage of exhaust VVT control system was good

-Now my big question is does GSC S2 cams compatible with Manley Valve Springs And Titanium Retainers? Below are the specifications on both items and I also read the specs on the GSC Beehive Spring Kit with Titanium Retainers and theres difference from Manley's. I should have had him go with the GSC Beehive but I did not think about it. Here are the specs below:

GSC S2 Cams (part number 7010S2)
-Designed for a rev range of 3800-8500 RPMs
-The S2 cams require an upgraded valve spring
https://www.power-division.com/4b11t...camshafts.html

Manley Valve Springs and Titanium Retainers (part number 26195)
-Retainer angles are held to within 6' (minutes) (this is a tenth of a degree) and installed heights are held to within .005"
-Wound from super clean alloy
-Revs up to 10,000 RPM with Manley titanium retainers
-Designed to handle aftermarket camshafts
-Evo X Valve Spring

• O.D./I.D.: .990"/.710"
• Seat Pressure: 86 @ 1.400"
• Open Pressure: 180 @ 1.030" 198 @ .970"
• Stock/Max Lift: 0.370" 0.430"
• Coil Bind: .920"
• Rate (lbs./in.): 253

-Evo X Titanium Retainer Specs

• Valve Stem Diameter: 5.5 mm
• Degree: 7.5°
• Dimensions A: .960°
• Dimensions B: .690°
• Step: .100"
• Height: Stock

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Here are the specs on GSC and the one I should have put on instead:

GSC Power-Division Beehive Spring with Titanium Retainer kit for the Mitsubishi 4B11T (Part Number GSC5042)

• IN: 75 lbs @ 1.350" / EX: 72 lbs @ 1.361" install height
• IN: 217 lbs @ 0.917" / EX: 214 lbs @ 0.928"

Features

• Rev faster
• Lighter components
• More durable design
• Less stress on valvetrain components
• Higher spring frequency for more precise valve control
• More valve control equals more aggressive cam profiles
• Nano-peened for faster break-in and less spring stress

Specifications

• Up to 12.2mm lift cams
• Max RPM: 9,800
• Max boost: 40+ psi
• Coil Bind: 0.800
• Install Height (in): 1.350 / 1.361
• Seat Pressure (lbs): 75 / 72
• Open Pressure (11.0mm lift): 217 lbs @ 0.917" / 214 lbs @ 0.928"
• Maximum Lift (in): 0.480

Thank you for your time and any help will amazing!

 

The P0014 code, in general, points to a problem with the exhaust side of the variable valve timing (VVT) system.

As for your main question, in general, GSC S2 cams should be compatible with Manley Valve Springs and Titanium Retainers. GSC S2 cams do require an upgraded valve spring, and based on the Manley Valve Springs specs you provided, they should be capable of handling the demands of the GSC S2 cams.

However, I see that the maximum lift of the Manley springs is 0.430", whereas GSC S2 cams are designed to operate at a rev range of 3800-8500 RPMs, which might push the valve lift beyond what the Manley springs can handle.

Comparing the GSC Beehive spring kit and the Manley setup, the GSC springs can handle lifts up to 0.480", providing a bit more room for high RPM operation. This might be contributing to the P0014 code if the springs can't handle the lift provided by the S2 cams.

So, while the Manley setup technically should work, if the engine is being pushed hard (especially near the top of the rev range), you could be getting into a situation where the valve control isn't as precise as it should be due to the springs reaching their limit. This could cause the cam timing to be off, triggering the P0014 code.

While it's not a definite answer, there's enough possibility here that it might be worth considering switching to the GSC Beehive spring kit for its higher lift tolerance and better high-RPM performance.

Lastly, I would also suggest you to double check the VVT solenoid. Sometimes, even if it tests okay, it could still be sticky or not operate as smoothly as it should, causing incorrect valve timing readings.

 

Thank you so much for the information, I have been trying to narrow down all the possibilities for this issue and what you mention to me was what I was pointing towards. The car has not been over 4k rpms since we the job was done but once the customer took it was when the code came back up. We also installed a new OEM VVT solenoid just to see what it does but there were no changes. I appreciate your help and hope I can find a more indefinite answer before doing the job again.