a1320honda

I was just curious about locking vtec on the high lobe for Pro1 cams. My low lobe followers are showing a lot wear and need to be replaced...so if i can just lock out the low lobe it would save me money. And to be honest...another big part of it is love the sound of a lumpy idle lol. it would also be nice to be able to ditch all the vtec tuning side of things and the solenoid. I know for "claying" you can revers the pins and lock, but can you do that for normal operation?

This isnt an everyday street car so im not worried about mid range TQ or low end power or anything.

turbo-2nr

i would be worried about it flatting the cam

a1320honda

What really sparked my interest in the topic was hearing that SpeedFactory is on Pro1's and have the vtec low lobe locked out. I know it really warrants no performance gain...but i love how the car sounds lol...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcO37...&feature=share

1FASTHF

I agree. You will have both spring pressures at all time which could wear the lobe out pretty quickly. Maybe investing in a roller setup would be ideal.

MR.johnson

I would like to know just to see what the best way is to degree cams in.

DDTECH

Degree cams based upon vtec lobes.

If you want that sound, go with a vtec killer type setup, Web pro rockers etc etc, at least you'll get some type of low/mid range with it.

It serves generally no purpose on a standard 3 lobe cam, if you're that into it, just turn vtec on @ 900rpms and set your idle to 950-1000..

a1320honda

You can do that by pulling apart the rocker assembly and swapping the pins, There is a short and long pin, swap those and the high lobe will be locked.

I cant afford the cams or the rocker setup to do the actual "killers". And my last motor didnt make enough oil pressure at idle to physically move the pins to lock it in.

LS AzZkIkr

Now that's an idea!

h2.4

I cant afford the cams or the rocker setup to do the actual "killers". And my last motor didnt make enough oil pressure at idle to physically move the pins to lock it in.[/QUOTE]

^^This. You don't make enough oil pressure that low. and you wouldn't want to "use" up oil pressure at idle. Vtec rocker assy.'s use approx. 12psi once the solinoid is opened. For people building motors and cams and tuning, theres not that much depth in some peoples real knowledge to be dishing out advice. Original question, I don't know, but I think you would have some accelerated lobe or rocker wear on the big lobe without a different rocker setup, but maybe you could get a hold of SF, and they might be able to give you some real advice.

DDTECH

Standard psi @ idle is around 10-12psi on a stock motor.

For reference; My current motor is putting around 18-22psi @ idle.. more then enough..
Most motors with slightly tighter clearences will put out alittle more oil pressure then stock. Its obviously not opitumal, but the OP said he "likes the way it sounds." There's your answer right there.

h2.4

then try it and see what happens......

DDTECH

I have.. lol. I'm obviously being funny with my comments as i've already said it serves no purpose on a standard 3 lobe cam.

OP, i recommend you "saving" money until you can properly afford to do it right.
If you want a quote on vtec killer cams and rocker arms, pm me. Be more then happy to help.

a1320honda

My last couple of motors have had 22-25psi at idle. Neither time has that been enough oil pressure at idle at push the pin.

Like i said...its more than just the sound lol. Although thats a big part of it. I would be ice to not have to replace the low lobe followers since mine are old and have wear. Would also be nice to eliminate the VTEC side of things as well. Guess ill just try it out and keep an eye on he wear.

hybrid_KJ

If you swap the pins it only locks one valve to the vtec lobe. Of the three parts to the rocker arm assmebly the middle has a pin, one of the ends has a pin and the other end has a sprung pin that receives the other two when oil pressure is applied to the far side. If you want to lock all three in take the non sprung side pin out and insert a small ball bearing in there and then reassemble the rocker assmebly and both valves would be locked in mechanically instead of with oil pressure. You would then have to adjust your valves to the middle rocker. Depending on the cam profile it should keep the end rocker pads from contacting the cam and wearing any more, if your middle one will start wearing you'd just have to try it out and see. Shouldn't need your lma's anymore either.

h2.4

[QUOTE=a1320honda;47559813]My last couple of motors have had 22-25psi at idle. Neither time has that been enough oil pressure at idle at push the pin.



^^ ding ding ding.

94lsvcoupe

im pretty sure those aint pro1's in the SF car lol

a1320honda

Golden Eagle sleeved B18C 84mm
Arias Pistons 10.8:1 w/upgraded wrist pins
BME Forged Aluminum Rods
ACL bearings, Calico coated rod bearings
Chris J. Ported B16 head (300+cfm)
Chambers opened to 84mm
Ferrea 6000 series valves
Ferrea valvesprings & retainers
Skunk2 Pro1 cams
Ported OEM GSR oil pump
Golden Eagle IM
Blox 76mm TB
Fluidamper
T1 Koyo Radiator/Spal 13″ Fan/Aluminum Shroud combo

MoiMotorsports

I will post pics up of my pro 3 cam I locked it and ran it for 3 events last year and. 2 lobes are flat now u will hurt the cam ect don't do it

JFK78

The specs on our website are outdated, I need to update that but yes they are still Pro1's locked into vtec. We did it for simplicity, and to leave more oil pressure for the rest of the engine - that's it.

Based on what you are saying and your reasons, I would just go ahead and lock them in and run a good oil like Brad Penn with high ZDDP levels.

It's not going to want to idle below 1700rpm or so as well. We have 7-8 in/vac at idle.

On the subject of engaging VTEC at low rpm remember that the VTEC system is basically a controlled oil leak and causes ~12psi oil pressure loss while engaged. h2.4 pretty much laid it out. Most engines will need at least 2000-2500rpm to have enough oil pressure to safely activate the VTEC solenoid and still have enough oil pressure for the rest of the engine to be safe. That is one of the reasons Honda added the VTEC oil pressure switch to the VTEC system.

hybrid_KJ stated the correct way to lock them mechanically.

a1320honda

Are you guys still on OEM rockers? Ive seen billet outter ones that attach to the OEM middle via a long pin. Was also considering just TIG'n them together with the pin in em but didnt know if that would be over-board.

JFK78

Yes oem rockers. Just put a ball bearing in there, no need to do anything else.

a1320honda

How long have you guys had this setup together this way? Noticed any increased wear in the cams?

JFK78

Just this season, so dyno time and run time for warmups and driving to/from the pits. 12 full passes on the car at this point. No accelerated wear, everything is good so far. These are also the same cams and rockers from the last 2yrs of racing or so.

a1320honda

Awesome man...thank you for your quick replies. I appreciate your input. Keep up the good work! Hopefuly we'll get to see you at IFO over here in Spokane.

JFK78

No prob, we'll be there for sure. It's always fun to go to a new track we haven't been to before.