Plan - I'm replacing my cams with Crower 404's, Crane valve springs and retainers, installing AEM adjustable cam gears, and a VAFC to tune it afterwards (at a dyno shop). FPR already installed.

I understand the process, quite a few DIY's online, the disassembly part, assembly part, I have a valve spring compressor, setting the valve clearance, etc.

First off, I've heard that to keep your valves from dropping you should compress each cylinder as your working. Getting the hoses and adapters is no problem, and I bought a little air compressor. It produces 150psi and has no regulator. Since none of the DIY's note how at what PSI to compress your cylinders, or how much PSI is too much, I'm a little hesitant, although I think this should be fine, as 4 cylinder engines usually have a compression range 150-200psi.

Second question, I'm going to put these big cams in, put in adjustable cam gears, set the valve clearance, and then, assume its going to run well enough until I get to the dyno shop? My research has indicated that it will run like a Harley, unless I increase the idle to 1000-1100.

Please comment on these questions, and feel free to comment on my plan or any other small details you might think I've missed or might miss. I haven't really done any work on the inside of an engine before, although this isn't very technical.

Thanks in advance, this site always produces the best information, feedback, and advice.

Here's a good link to a DIY, although its on a SOHC. - http://www.sicracing.com/diy/d....html

 

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So far I've learned that my compression plan is fine and that I probably need a basemap just to get the car to the dyno. I'm also replacing the valve seals while I'm in there, might as well, complete set only $33 shipped.

 

When I put my 404s in the car would not run more than 4-5 minutes untill I put the FPR on and Tuned it with the AFC. Without those it idled very rough, wouldnt go over 20mph. The timing may have been off, I ended up taking it to a shop and they fixed it.

As for idle, it is pretty rough kind of like a nascar but it is tollerable, down below 1200 rpms pretty sluggish.

 

your also going to need to do a major valve adjustment after and you will need tune asap!

 

keep it coming!