pros/cons of PTE 218R or SpeedPro 204/214 flat tappet cams.

[gnx7]

I am still deciding which cam to put in my engine that is nearly finished at the machine shop:

here is the combo:
.010/.010 GN crank
polished stock rods with ARP 2000 bolts
.020" over JE's
Clevite77 bearings
JW Flexplate
BHJ harmonic balancer
stock front cover ported
double roller timing chain
PTE ported iron heads
ported lower intake
JJ62mmTB
RJC powerplate
T&D 1.65 roller rockers
ATR headers ceramic coated
3" DP/3.5" single exhaust
Turbonetics T-70BB
72lb/hr injectors
LS1 MAF with Trans Plus
Extender Extreme chip from BoB Bailey 23*/21* timing
SMC alcohol injection

I have a flat tappet PTE 218R cam now which specs out at around .478"/.481 lift and 218 degrees duration. It is noisy like a sowing machine but has some awesome top end pull so I don't mind it.

I have heard good things about the 204/214 cam and know a few run it here on TB.com. I also know RED's HOTAIR went 133mph with one so that has me interested as well.

My car will be streetdriven and the goal is to/from the track also. I would like to run easy 10.0's without having to do too gnarly of a launch and break stuff out back as I'm running stock Mazda Turbo2 IRS (8" ring gear and clutch pack posi). Maybe this winter I will do an 8.8" Ford 4 link solid axle setup out back to further shave weight and to safely go in the 9's.

Any comments on either cam? What are the specs on the 204/214 SpeedPro cam and where can I get one from? I won't run a roller cam and have never had an aftermarket flat tappet cam go flat as I break them in on stock 100K mile springs and then swap over to the stiffer springs.

Here is the 2700lb sleeper RX-7 that I will be putting this new combo into. Car has a 10pt rollcage and other safety mods to soon be upgraded.

http://www.thewrongmotor.com/gallery/mark_c/index.htm

Thanks,

GNX7

 

[Sleeper]

Mark,
I have a friend that runs the SP 204/214 and loves it. Pulls like a freight train top end, and is very street-able. It is also quiet.

I am running it's little brother the SP 194/204, because I don't see the track all that much and wanted more low end grunt. I have a 204/214 from a previous engine combo sitting on the shelf, and may swap it in next winter just to see how it runs.

Specs:
intake exhaust
.050 dur 204 214
sae dur 280 290
cam lift .280 .295
*valve lift @ 1.65 rocker ratio .462 .486
valve lift @ 1.6 rocker ratio .448 .472
valve lift @ 1.55 rocker ratio .434 .457
lobe centers 107 117
Lobe separation 112
Timing @.050 cam lift
5- 29 44 10-
btc abc bbc atc

Here's some opinions:
http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=63322&highlight=speedpro+204/214

You can get it almost anywhere... Summit, Jegs, local jobber. It is pretty common.

Sounds like one killer combo. I imagine the only problem you will have getting into the 10's, is keeping the rear end together.

Paul

 

[V6 Beast]

Personally, I think you need to be looking at roller cams. I went through 3 flat tappet cams in less than a year. Plus the roller will flow a lot better with that big ass turbo you are going to be running. I would think the Comp 214/214 would be good for you. I tried it with the flat tappets and all that metal that goes through your engine when they wear lobes just isn't worth it. If you insist on flat tappet, I would recommend breaking it in with weak valve springs and change them after 1000 miles or so.

HTH
Sully

 

[gnx7]

Paul,

Thanks for the specs on that cam. Want to sell me it .

THe PTE-218R with 1.65's specs out to over .520" lift .... but as we all know super aggressive cams aren't really needed in these engines. However PTE did have this profile created after much testing so it must work well (and it does in my car currently).

Sully- I always break in cams with weak valvesprings. I heard from a few people that the camshaft physically hardens in the 20-30 minute breakin period and after that no really any more hardening takes place. I blew my wad already on the current upgrades and a roller isn't in the cards this time around.

How much is a complete roller cam setup with everything?

-GNX7

 

[JDSfastGN]

I love my 204/214, its quiet and has a stock like idle. But the mid range and topend pull is awesome. The low end is also really great compared to the 208/201 I used to run. I have not really heard any stories about anybody wiping out a speedpro 204/214 cam yet. I wouldn' t worry about it as long as you break it in right. Good luck.

 

[REDS HOT AIR]

roller v/s 204/214

you know my choice

$1000 v/s $150

you know my choice again

speed pro cam , sealed power lifters , z-28 springs , and stock retainers and valve locks

 

[gnx7]

Red..... but your car only ran 133mph with it .

I want to go a few more MPH faster than that..... in my 2700lb beater.

I think I'm going to get the 204/214..... a smooth idle would be a plus and healthy top end power is what I want. The sewing machine noise from my current 218R doesn't help the decision either.

Any one else care to comment?

-GNX7

 

[86brick]

Originally posted by gnx7

Any one else care to comment?

-GNX7

Yes I will..... Cams make little if any difference in the performance of these stock block motors so just pick one and go! I base this on the fact that I've seen some very fast stock block cars with little cams..... One example of this is Bmason who has run as fast as 10.70's @128mph with the stock cam and this is a full weight car as far as I know..... Another example is Orlando with his full weight (3500-3600lb) stock block GN running bottom 10's @133mph with an old grind Lunati 205/205 flat tappet cam..... There is no doubt in my mind that you could go over 130mph with the stock cam especially at your weight (2700lbs) seeing how Bobby is almost doing it with a much heavier car so if you want go with the 204/214 cam but I don't think it would really matter what cam you used! I'm sure not everybody will agree with me, but that's my opinion

 

[86brick]

Oh yeah there was also Geno running 9.90 @136mph with his stock block 3400lb GN and this was with a little 208/208 ramchargers flat tappet cam.........

 

[gnx7]

86Brick- thanks for the info

I think I will just get the medium sized 204/214.

Geno ran a healthy 137mph with 30psi and nice aluminum heads. But it was with the small stoneage technology 208/208 flat tappet cam.

The price can't be beat either .

-GNX7

 

[86brick]

Originally posted by gnx7
86Brick- thanks for the info

I think I will just get the medium sized 204/214.

Geno ran a healthy 137mph with 30psi and nice aluminum heads. But it was with the small stoneage technology 208/208 flat tappet cam.

The price can't be beat either .

-GNX7

No doubt about the price and it is a good cam, but my point was your car could go really fast with just about any aftermarket cam (small or big) and even with the stock cam..... Your car should really fly and I hope you have some Depends cause running 140-145mph in the 1/4 could cause you to have an "accident"!

Make sure you get it on video so all of us can see that beast!

 

[Turbo RX-6]

Comps new roller cams are going for $275.00 for the cam & $280.00 for the roller lifters from Summit. The price is now within striking distance. I am going with the roller as I am on the second cam in the Mazda in the last 6 months. (yes it was broken in properly & with weak springs, even though Lunati swears up & down you can use 100# springs and be fine). For an extra few hundred dollars, I can run a cam thats a little more radical, yet is smoother & quieter than the flat tappet and pulls like a mother on top end, and as the new roller cams are doctile, there should be no more worries about flat cams. I know lots of guy's have changed cams with no problems, including me, but if you scour the different Buick sites, it's amazing how many of the flat tappet cams fail in these motors for whatever reasons.

 

[gnx7]

RX-6.... I saw my motor today at the machine shop. Bored .020" over, 3 billet caps (1,2,3), cut crank .010/.010, fresh JE pistons, polished stock rods with ARP rod bolts...... all awaiting assembly and cam choice.

Cam choice needs to be ASAP. That budget roller sounds attractive but I think I'm staying with a flat tappet.

-GNX7

 

[Turbo RX-6]

Go with the 204/214, Summit offers a Edelbrock version with lifters for $129.96. I don't have any experience with Edelbrock cams, but you sure can't beat the price.

 

[TURBO 6]

RX-6, Do you have a part number for the lifters? Are they Comp? What does it take to put one in? Thanks!

 

[Turbo RX-6]

The Lifters are P.N. 853-12 and yes they are comp lifters. Recommended springs are P.N. 26915-12 and go for $128.39, which I find a little steep, you can get springs for cheaper than that, those are just the ones they recommend for the cam and lifters set.

There are three grinds available, a 206/206, 212/212 and a 218/212. It is a drop in proposition, no mods needed, but, some guy's have been able to use a spring cam button, while others have had to use the PTE anti walk button with shims. It seems like the spring loaded button works for some, but the shimmed one works for everyone, so I am playing it safe and going with the shimmed one.