I've been running around with a Stage1, which delivered nice power over my previous stock state. I've also been trying to holding off on cams due to emissions here in CA, but what the heck I don't have to worry for another 4 years. I was also being lazy about it, because I didn't want to have to swap cams back forth later.

Anyhow, I spent the better part of yesterday swapping in a set of HKS 264i/272e, loaded the Stage1+ map of the website into the Xede and went out for a spin. Man does it scream now. I'm also surprised at how easier it is to break all 4 wheels loose. I'll be heading up to Vishnu for another tune in the future to extract some more powaaa

The best part aside from the cams was loading the new map into the Xede, cause it was so easy. Just set it and go. Afterall, cams alone without some sort tuning to compensate for them will not net as much of a gain. Road tuning on some lonely deserted road just wasn't appealing to me. I took the easy route and just loaded a pretty well tuned map Shiv spent many hours on. However, i'm still eagerly awaiting for the next update to XMap and firmware features to do some fine tuning tweaks on my own.

 

Can you actually believe they give us this big of a turbo and injectors??

 

makes me want the cams and all that stuff too...

how long was the cam install? i'm debating if I should just do the cam gear and Xede (Stage 1+) or just go al out and get the cam shafts in too while i'm at it. It's going to be the installation cost that keeps me away from the cams

 

I did it myself and it wasnt bad 5 hours or so and some careful attention to torque! At the shop its only a 3.5 hour labor charge inc cam gears

 

Sounds like a similar situation I was in. I previously did just cam gears for Stage1. In retrospect if you have the money for cams go all out and do the cams too. It's not much more work once you have the gears off.

I guesstimated 2-3 hours, but it ended up taking me about 10. I know it seems long for cam swaps, but at no point was I rushing or lost.
I also took time to clean parts, re-gap plugs, apply antiseize to misc. bolt, etc., while I had the parts out.

 

Cams took me 2.5 hours the first time around. Now swapping the hot side of the turbo will be this weekend's project. I guesstimate 2.5-4 hours since the radiator has to be drained, pulled, put back in, and filled back up!


The cam swap is sooooo worth the time and money. Personally, I went for the 272's on both sides. Man, did that little car wake up!

 

i dont know if my car is making less power, or it its Cailfornia weather, but i still can't break my tires loose with the stage 1+ unless im accelerating out of a turn.

 

May I suggest trying to do doughnuts? That might work. When you do, be sure and tape it cause I wanna see it. The reason is because I'd never do that with my car...I'm too much of a chicken.
-chris

 

You're right, I guess should have been more specific where. I'm not to far from Mullholland(east side), so I headed there to work in the cams. It was there that I noticed the power breaking the tires loose than usual. FWIW, i'm also on Kumho MX's, not as sticky as the Yokes.

 

n00dle what did you run for cam gear settings??

 

There at -2,-2.

 

Thanks. Going to try adjusting

 

n00dle! Congrats on the the volumetric funnery! Many safe travels!

 

why did ya go for the 264/272? What do you guys suggest? Some people say it is better to have a 272/264 for turbo cars but im still confused

 

I chose those profiles because it's been proven to work well numerous times over. Vishnu made it even simpler for me by having a really good Xede map to go with the cams. No need for me to go and reinvent the wheel. Just load the map and drive off, instant gratification with no headaches. I have no interest in trying different combinations, spending time tuning, etc. I'd rather spend less time sorting out my car and spend more time behind the wheel driving it. I trust Shiv's work and it's what I paid for by going with Vishnu with their proven staged setups. I also prefer top end power. Once i'm out of 1st gear it's all top end from there.