Cams And Port/polish

[DECIM8]

Hey guys,

Soon if all goes well I'll be getting my hands on some poncams, obviously having to rip open the head to install them its open to be polished and ported. Now I know a few people have asked the same question as ive searched and it seems dependent on cost and mods.

So, I have everything In my Sig and will be adding the Z32, powerfc, Injectors, Poncams and perhaps a fuel rail, will deff be adding a fuel pump too.

I basically wanted to add the cams to bring power all the way to redline with the highflow and hopefully bring boost on early. Also to reduce the stress on the stock bottom end by running less boost.

Firstly whats the expected cost to install cams?

Secondly I understand Polishing is not advised on a Rb head due to fuel spray issues correct? so porting would be my best option, my main want is to bring boost on early and again reduce impact on stock bottom end (the more I talk about it the more I want to look for a RB30 bottom )

Would porting be advised for my engine? I dont feel a 1500$ race port job would be essential but perhaps just a average port work no more than $500. Is it worth it?

I was thinking the best guys to do the cam install and porting would be northen beaches performance as they are quite close to me and also seem reputable/trustworthy (from first inspection when I dropped in) without being rude, does anyone not advise them to do the work?

Also I understand my best option is to talk with them, but wanted advice and prices here first. I also would also deff be getting them to install clutch and timing belt too, so it can handle the bigger power from the start.

Thanks!

Edited April 15, 2008 by DECIM8

[r33cruiser]

poncams

go procams man

anyway OT. PRICEWISE=

firstly my mechanic quoted me 400 bucks to install, springs, cams, solid lifters.

secondly he quoted that the machining will cost me about 1500. that includes regrinding the head to fit 272/10.25mm cams.

[DECIM8]

$400 to install, fair enough.. Wont be grinding as they are direct drop in tomei items.

[J34]

Im also thinking of putting a set of poncams into my r34. Are you sure you need to take the whole head off? Im not sure what it would cost but I have had most of my work and servicing done by NBP and they do a really good job. Does anyone know if you would gain much from some type B poncams on a stock turbo? I'm aiming for a HKS GTRS later on just wondering if there were gains to be had on a stock turbo running 12PSI?

[DECIM8]

Doubt it, you could try it Im sure it would yield some result but is it really worth the $700 + install. when you have not yet bought a bigger turbo?

Dont think so.. wait till you have the Turbo.

Oh and while the cams are going in why not do more?! might take longer to save the dosh but you're passengers will thank you for it... oh yeah and my bottom end wont go boom(too soon)

Edited April 15, 2008 by DECIM8

[Sydneykid]

Firstly, you don't have to take the head off to R&R the cams. If you are going with Poncams (my preferred and often used choice), what I would do is to shim up the standard valve springs. They are very soft when new and loose seat pressure over time. Your cam installer should also know how to do that without removing the head. If he doesn't, then get another cam installer.

Head work is usually charged by the hour, that's why you won't get a fixed price. Heads differ, combustion chamber volumes are not all the same, matching to the inlet and exhaust manifolds is not always perfect. Some heads are easy and ~$600 covers it, some are harder and you need ~$800, but it should never go over $1K.

Cheers

Gary

[DECIM8]

Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.... Any other info guys?

Any defin8ive answer as to if its worth it for my setup?

Edited April 15, 2008 by DECIM8

[R31Nismoid]

IMO not really.

Ive never done major head work other than a basic tidy up, and run over 300rwkw, and never really noticed anything 'lacking' in my setups to those who've had cams, porting and so on.

I make the same peak power, boost delivery/rpm boost comes on etc was mostly the same and i was 2k better off

[Simon-S14]

defo go cams, but forget the porting and polishing as it is not needed.

I run cams on my 25 and i got a massive gain all throughout the rev range, and boost dropped also. so motor is more reliable (in theory)

[wolverine]

if the head was coming off i would spend the money (presuming i had the coin lying around).

you probably won't be pulling the head off for poncams so i think the answer is no.

[PM-R33]

Firstly, you don't have to take the head off to R&R the cams. If you are going with Poncams (my preferred and often used choice), what I would do is to shim up the standard valve springs. They are very soft when new and loose seat pressure over time. Your cam installer should also know how to do that without removing the head. If he doesn't, then get another cam installer.

Hey Gary, we are installing the cams into my car in 2 weeks time, could you quickly describe what "shimming the standard springs" is and does? I've never heard of this and was wondering wether we should be doing this with my standard springs.

Thanks man.

[DECIM8]

Yeah Spotted your thoughts on the subject Nismoid thanks for that feedback.

Truthfully if there is no rpm gain on boost nor a reduction in boost run then it is not worth it.

Great, another question answered

[R338OY]

Hey Nat,

Cams and hiflow are a great idea. You should see some great response with a good setup + tune. I don't think you need to worry about porting the head. The NEO head will flow good for the boost a hiflow will provide. You said you're after boost response- porting will reduce inlet compression a little, hurting most at low rpm/BOOST. I reckon response will be better without porting. You prob won't remove the head anyway, so it'll be cheaper and you can put the money into top notch injectors/pump/cams etc.

GL dude, if you get bored at the workshop get the boys to keep you company

Edited April 15, 2008 by R338OY

[NYTSKY]

Poncams are good.I have them in my car.You will notice the difference more at off boost driving.Not as much throttle needed to get up to say 60kmph.

NBP installed my boost controller ages ago.Both nice blokes up there.

Also with the cams and highflow setup,you will be able to carry the power all the way to redline(7500rpm in my case)

8000rpm in my new setup(Tomei valve springs)

[Sydneykid]

defo go cams, but forget the porting and polishing as it is not needed.

"Needed"....such an interesting word. I agree with not "essential", but if you want better response and more power at lower boost then I say it is "needed".

I have a simple rule, if the head is off, port it. If the head doesn't need to come off, then don't take it off just to port it.

Cheers

Gary

[DECIM8]

Will do.. Cams sound like fun

While im here how much difference am I going to see with a good manifold? Obviously faster boost responce, abit louder I would assume but is $900 - $1500 worth it? I dont feel it is for that increase?

Edited April 15, 2008 by DECIM8

[Sydneykid]

Will do.. Cams sound like fun

While im here how much difference am I going to see with a good manifold? Obviously faster boost responce, abit louder I would assume but is $900 - $1500 worth it? I dont feel it is for that increase?

Inlet manifold or exhaust manifold?

Cheers

Gary

[DECIM8]

Sorry exhaust.

[R338OY]

Gary might have another opinion but from what i know the stock manifold isn't worth binning unless you want to go over 300rwkw. Going high mount turbo is another reason, but isn't needed with a hiflow.

Not worth it IMO.

[DECIM8]

Good man! You end up using that redline I gave yoU?