Cam Gears - Is It Worth It?

[Plan-FAILURE]

Ok guys I've done a bit of searching around and haven't really been able to find anything that relates directly to my situation.

My R32 GTS-T puts out about 230 kW on 16 psi and is running the following mods (just nudging stage 3)

Full RB20DET rebuild with upgraded rods and bearings

FMIC

Full turbo back exhaust with performance cat

Greddy Dump Pipe

z32 AFM

Cold air intake

Splitfire coilpacks

550cc injectors

Nistune Chip (on stock ecu)

Upgraded HKS turbo (not sure of model)

Nismo fuel pump

Exedy Super HD Clutch

Question is...WOULD I BENEFIT FROM A SET OF CAM GEARS (AND TUNE)?

I'm very happy with my car at the moment and wouldn't want to lose something to gain something else. Only really interested if it will all be positive after install.

Cheers guys

[DVS JEZ]

Cam Gears are relatively cheap these days, so it would be worth getting them and testing on a dyno in different positions,

we have made some response gains with poncams on a GTR,

are you running stock cams?

[krzysiu]

I am running stock cams with Greddy cam gear on the exh. Worked a treat at gave me better respsonse. Shifted the whole graph to the left.

[raZ1911]

For the money they are yes when you get it tuned.

[geraus]

So having cam gears would also increase boost response ?

[krzysiu]

Yes

[WYTSKY]

So having cam gears would also increase boost response ?

Yeh mate, I can't remember the one I have but it made a decent difference, 500-800rpm earlier with boost....

Also, I only have the exhaust side done, I think its only the exhaust cam gear that makes a difference for boost response.

[paulr33]

are you sure you are seeing the gains ONLY from cam gear fitting to RB25?

we know cam gears gain power and response on RB26, but from memory on RB25 it is pointless and factory is best setup

[WYTSKY]

Yeh it was just the exhaust cam gear done and tuning for it, minimal kw increase and good response increase, back when I had a hypergear

[Astro Bear]

Just had the tomei exhaust cam gear tuned on my 33. Definite improvement. Worth it for the price.

[krzysiu]

It's far from pointless Paul

[geraus]

Im confused , becuase i really want to get some, I spoke to Trent ( my tuner i trust ) he said to me its pointless.. for my setup.. and my setup is simular to plan-b's mods.

[KiwiRS4T]

Im confused , becuase i really want to get some, I spoke to Trent ( my tuner i trust ) he said to me its pointless.. for my setup.. and my setup is simular to plan-b's mods.

You don't want some , only one. Inlet is best to leave vct to do its job - people have tried to no avail. On exhaust side typically on an RB25DET with stock cams 4deg retarded will improve midrange with poss some small cost at top end.(from personal experience with my rb25det with GCG highflow).

[Plan-FAILURE]

Im confused , becuase i really want to get some, I spoke to Trent ( my tuner i trust ) he said to me its pointless.. for my setup.. and my setup is simular to plan-b's mods.

Looks as if a aftermarket exhaust cam gear would be a good move. Intake is probably a waste as people have said.

[Dose Pipe Sutututu]

It's only a waste on a RB25DET due to the VCT, which advances the intake cam 10 degrees pre 4700 rpm or close to MBT.

I can see it being beneficial on a RB20DET which as no VCT. If you have some dyno time try getting the exhaust cam gear dial it back a few degrees and/or get an intake and advance it 1~2 degrees and overlap the power curve.

[Plan-FAILURE]

Awesome info mate.

I'd overlooked the VCT being the reason why the 25s don't need the intake gear.

Looks like cams and cam gears will be going in after some experimenting.

James

[Harey]

To all the people saying yes they are worth it, do you have 2 dyno sheets where the only difference is the exhaust cam gear with a tune after each?

I have spoken to a few tuners (Trent being one of them) and they all say dont bother on the RB25. On the RB26 its a different story.

Tuners are the only ones that would have seen many cars where the only mod they do is cam gears. Most other people would combine them with other mods and then say wow the cam gears worked well when in fact its not the case.

[Plan-FAILURE]

To all the people saying yes they are worth it, do you have 2 dyno sheets where the only difference is the exhaust cam gear with a tune after each?

I have spoken to a few tuners (Trent being one of them) and they all say dont bother on the RB25. On the RB26 its a different story.

Tuners are the only ones that would have seen many cars where the only mod they do is cam gears. Most other people would combine them with other mods and then say wow the cam gears worked well when in fact its not the case.

We're talking RB20DET here mate.

I've disregarded info specific to the RB25s as, like you have said, aren't reknown to yielding gains from cam gears.

I've come to the conclusion that it would be one or the other (cams or cam gears) on the RB20DET. I will be doing cams as people agree that Pon Cams come perfected, no need for cam gear adjustments/aftermarket gears...

[Harey]

We're talking RB20DET here mate.

I've disregarded info specific to the RB25s as, like you have said, aren't reknown to yielding gains from cam gears.

I've come to the conclusion that it would be one or the other (cams or cam gears) on the RB20DET. I will be doing cams as people agree that Pon Cams come perfected, no need for cam gear adjustments/aftermarket gears...

I cant find any posts here that arent specific to the RB25? Not sure where your reading.

Apologies I did miss the RB20DET at the top, I just saw that all the responses were to do with the RB25.

I have also heard tuners say, its only worth it on RB26's, not sure if they are including RB20s as well?

[Plan-FAILURE]

Haha not sure where your reading either bud.

From what I've been told today, I'd say Poncams for a decently modified RB20DET will be most beneficial, both in low down torque and boost response.

Edited January 18, 2011 by plan-b