to advance or retard cam???

[WE287GN]

ok i have read many a thread on this, many say stay stock, and use tensioner, many say have had no problems..

so knowing all this i have decided to try it out, depending on how some answer this next question...

i have the set in wich you can retard or advance 4 deg i believe..

i have asked many a time on cam choice,so i stayed with stock,

now i am wondering since my set up will be fairly stock, (turbo,cam,2800 converter), should i bother with the 4 deg????

if i do ,do i have to check piston to valve clearence, or is it a sure thing????

if i get a bajillion posts saying stay stock deg on cam,i'll go buy a new stocker with tensioner, if i here it will give performance without getting into some major mechanics on valvetrain, i'll use the double roller

any info would be greatly appreciated

thanks
Chris P.

P.S. hopefully can get some input as i hope to get motor abck together this weekend..
TIA

 

[REDS HOT AIR]

i take it your talking about with the stock cam???

my cam is in my sig and i ran mine both ways and seems to like a couple degrees advanced but all cams will be different

 

[WE287GN]

Originally posted by REDS HOT AIR
i take it your talking about with the stock cam???

my cam is in my sig and i ran mine both ways and seems to like a couple degrees advanced but all cams will be different

Hi Red, yup, i am speaking of the stock cam..

wondering what to do.. doesnt one way gain yop end perf, and the other low end?

or is this simply to degree in a cam???

i am wondering if its just as easy as using the diff keyways for the deired effect, or do i have to worry about valve timing(hitting the pistons)???

Thanks
Chris P.

 

[Steve Wood]

You really should degree the cam and find how it sits as compared to the specs....having said that, I am not sure if I have ever seen complete specs for a stock cam posted so I would suggest with sticking to installing it at the zero mark-neither advanced or retarded on the gear.

 

[WarpSpeed]

Welp, the stock Cams' power band starts pretty low(rpm wise) already. I don't think you'd gain much if anything running it advanced, plus, you may hurt the top end since the stock cam seems to peter out around 44-4500rpm. Depending on set-up, you may find some more top end by retarding the cam timing instead......

 

[WE287GN]

retarding

hey steve,warp..

i think retarding was they way i may have read in the past,sounds like the way Warpmentioned for more top end, but like steve mentioned, how to be sure with out knowing cam specs
i was kinda hoping was a "for sure" thing..cause ounce that timing cover gets buttoned up, its going to be that way for a while hopefully
and again, not sure if stock cam is off spec to begin and i make an adjust on keyway,do i run into piston clearence probs??
so if this cant be done without being sure i guess i may have to go straight?????
i dunno


Chris

 

[REDS HOT AIR]

actually your probly wasteing time ...with the stock can and its narrow power band you need to leave it be and shoot for the middle of the powerband....or toss the cam and get one with wider power range.

 

[Joe 1320]

Advancing the cam shifts the powerband lower in the rpm band, retarding raises it. With a stock cam, leave it straight up. As the cams get a little more radical, advancing it brings the powerband down a little, creating larger gains in low rpm torque. Just understand that in adding to the bottom, you take away from the top. My engine with ported irons and a 206/206 ran better with the cam advanced 2º.

 

[Steve Wood]

Stick it in lined up on the stock (zero) marks and button it up....I agree with Red and everyone else...

 

[bruce]

Originally posted by WE287GN
ok i have read many a thread on this, many say stay stock, and use tensioner, many say have had no problems..
so knowing all this i have decided to try it out, depending on how some answer this next question...
i have the set in wich you can retard or advance 4 deg i believe..
i have asked many a time on cam choice,so i stayed with stock,
now i am wondering since my set up will be fairly stock, (turbo,cam,2800 converter), should i bother with the 4 deg????

With a Normally aspirated engine running right on the verge of detonation cam timing is an overwhelming issue, and one of the major concerns is the intake valve closing point. that has a major effect on the actual cranking compression as a result of runner tuning. As you try for 100%VE it gets extremely critical.

But in the GN world boost is what controls the final degree of cylinder filling, so a couple degrees here or there for a stock or near stock cam, running a reasonable amount of boost, aint gonna be a big deal.

Now in none boost conditions it will play a bigger role. But with an low compresion engine like a GN in none boost conditions you just ain't gonna be making a bunch of HP.

 

[WE287GN]

OK Guys thanks a bunch, these were the responses i was looking for..
so i will leave it stock timing (straight up)

now since i am doing this,no need to use the true double roller, go with an autozone set and new tensioner????

Thanks a bunch all

Chris Pacheco

 

[KEVINS]

Bummer
I was asking the same question a year ago with no responses.. I love to try things myself so I would have installed it 4 Ret to hopefully gain some top end. My high boost launches would take care of the launches but I would like to see more mph..
I was hoping that you'd try it then report back..

If my Tcover ever comes off it'll get retarded 4* for giggles..

I Advanced the cam in my Stang and it made a HUGE 5-6 mph difference (w/ aftermarket cam and N2O ) so this is why I'd like to try something on my GN..

ks

 

[REDS HOT AIR]

kevins .....if your timing cover comes off put a cam in it...much better than moving it forward or backwards.

its still the same cam just shifting max cylinder presure back or forth slightly

on the mustang you would notice alot more difference due to the short rods in the sb ford motor you have much less piston dwell time so a few degrees on a short rod motor is alot ...but not much on a longer rod motor.


did i loose ya??

 

[KEVINS]

whos long rod or short rod.. What???? hehee...

ks