I was wondering what would be a good drop in cam for my GS-R. I dont have the money to replace any retainers or springs or mess around with the redline, just trying to decide between cams or zex and I want power and reliability for about $700-$750. planned on CTR/ITR but heard I have to replace the springs and retainers to get max power.

 

have u considered skunk2?

 

you'll still get get power with ITR/CTR cams and stock redline. skunk2 make power above 8000 rpm too! almost any aftermarket cam could benefit from better springs and most make power above 8000 rpm. If I were you i would get ITR - the CTR has 3 degrees more duration over ITR - which really only benefits B16 engines. cams that will add significant power below 8000 rpm will most likely also require upgraded valvesprings due to an increase in lift. you can find New OEM ITR valvesprings (complete for around 175.00 sometimes) secret GSR intake valvesprings are the same as ITR exhaust - so swap 'em over and get ITR intakes only - mike at IPS has ITR intakes for around 80.00 - thats what I am getting when I drop in the spoons (BTW are actually made by honda for spoon) you can't beat OEM honda parts in terms of reliability and quality - compared to others other cams I would look at would be Toda, JUN, and Skunk2 - i wouldn't consider ANY others (ie webcams, etc... whatever you do DON"T get reground (regrind) cams) just IM me if you have more Q's and I'll see if I can help - Greg


[Modified by 2000-4DRGSR, 10:46 AM 12/14/2001]

 

Cool info

 

I read somewhere that you shouldn't mix valvesprings and retainers brands. So wouldn't the ITR valvesprings/retainers combo be risky with spoon cams? Shouldn't you go all spoon, or do you think that's overkill for the spoons?

 

you do not NEED to upgrade the springs with ITR cams

 

mixing and matching sometimes may not be OK - but spoon cams are made FOR SPOON BY HONDA (stated above) out of CTR cores - cams (honda) + springs (honda) = NO mix and match

1fastGSR - I did NOT say you HAVE to replace valvesprings - especially if you are keeping the stock redline - if you are going to increase the redline to 8400-8500 I would get ITR valvesprings

 

Iwas not referring to you, just asnswering his question

 

I think you should replace the valve springs if you're going to be redlining often. The increased lift, especially in the exhaust cam, could cause coil binding. With the stock redline, valve float shouldn't be a big issue.

If you do use the stock valve springs, I'm sure they'll be worn out really quickly.

 

Bottom line,if you do it half *** don't buy the springs,if you want to do it right and not worry about bending valves buy the springs and retainers.

 

And why would this only help a b16? That makes no sense.

If you are going to go with stock cams get a CTR/ITR combo. CTR intake cam and ITR exhaust cam. The CTR and ITR exhaust cams are the same, but the ITR is cheaper And as stated the CTR has slightly more duration, which will get you slightly more power.

 

mixing and matching sometimes may not be OK - but spoon cams are made FOR SPOON BY HONDA (stated above) out of CTR cores - cams (honda) + springs (honda) = NO mix and match

if they are CTR cores... wouldnt that mean they are regrinds off the CTR cores?

just a question...

 

I got the civic type r intake cam and acura type r exhaust cam. Works great!

 

The B16A has a 1.74 rod/stroke ratio. The B18C1 has a 1.58 r/s. Ideal r/s is 1.75. This means that the pistons in the B16A spend more time at TDC than in the B18C. In the B16A, the 3 degrees of duration produces a noticeable difference. In the B18C it's not as big of a deal. If it produced a worthwile improvement, don't you think Honda would have put it in its "flagship" B-series engine?