We've been working on doing a big cam test. Some of you might have read Turbo Magazine and seen the first two issues come out about this test. I'm going to lay out some data and findings here and also include some info which didn't make it into the magazine. It's really cool stuff as it's back to back testing on our dyno between all these cams. It was a lot of work to to do it right but worth it. Each cam had to be degreed on a test engine to make sure it was being installed 'straight up' before it went into my car. What good is the test if one cam is ground off and now the intake is running 4 degrees retarded and making more power? I had to keep it all on a level playing field hence the painstaking details. If you're going to do a test you better leave no stone unturned!
I'm also running 22psi of boost for a reason. If I run high boot and max the turbo out the gains from the camshafts will be somewhat masked. The gains will be there because I did run high boost (I'll share results later) but again the gains are easier to see when you don't max out the turbo.
What cams did we test? here they are
1. Stock
2. HKS 272
3. Crane 272/264
4. TOMEI 280 hydraulic lifter
5. TOMEI 280 solid lifter
5. Brian Crower stage 2
6. Brian Crower stage 3
7. GSC S2
8. GSC S3
9. Kelford 272
10. Greddy Easy Cams
11. FP 4R
12. FP 5R
I bet you guys would want to see the result heh? First things first.
My car specs:
AMS 2.0L race engine
AMS-Headgames race head
AMS VSR
AMS GT35R turbo kit
AMS FMIC
AMS 3" turbo back exhaust
AEM EMS
C16 Race gas on conservative tune for testing purposes
ALL TESTS DONE AT 22PSI OF BOOST
I'll be adding a graph every day or so, so check back often for updates.
First one:
1. Stock cams vs. HKS 272 - 22psi
Nice gains with quick spool, no bottom end loss at all.
2. Stock cams vs. Tomei 280 - 22psi
Big gains but loss of spool and bottom end power. Very rough idle, not for stock ECU cars.
3. Stock Cams Vs. Crane 272 intake 264 exhaust
Another big hp cam with rough idle
4. Stock Cams vs. Brian Crower stage 2 (272)
Ok, but I had to degree them in and move them quite a bit to get them to zero (factory specs)
5. Stock cams vs. Brian Crower stage 3 (280)
Rough idle, sounds mean but power was off. Cams needed to be degreed, were off by 3-5 degrees per cam.
6. Stock cams vs. GSC S2 22psi
good idle and driveability with good power gains.
7. Stock cams vs. GSC S3 22psi
choppier idle, trades a little spool up and bottom end power for more top end compared to S2's
8. Stock cams vs. FP 4R 22psi
Next step above HKS 272's. Trades smooth idle and great road manners for peak power production.
9. Stock cams vs. FP 5R 22psi
Rougher idle and driveability but the power is there.
10. Stock cams vs. Kelford 272 22psi
I like these cams, great street manners, power delivery, and top end power!
