I bought a Civic about a month ago, and the guy said the B16 had Upgraded camshafts. Skunk2 Stage 2 to be exact. We took off the valve cover and found out it was running on some stock retainers, so we pretty much assumed that there were no camshafts and to even run the stage 2, it would need upgraded springs and retainers. we couldn't really tell if they were stock cams or not, but i shot him an email and he sent me back this:

"the camshafts that are in there are skunk 2 stage 2 and the valve springs are skunk2 pro series.... retainers are stock because a couple shops told me to run the stock retainers cause the titanium ones wear out at a faster rate and if you aren't doing road cross then run the stock retainers."

Tell me what you think.

 

Any Thoughts?

 

It's possible to run stock retainers but not very smart. Take out the cams and check for yourself.

 

That would be the most logical thing i guess but i don't want to spend the money to get the car re timed and what not.

 

I can check it for you for 20 bucks... I live in Moreno Valley (By perris/temecula) north on the 215. It could be skunk2 STG2's or it could be b16/gsrs, how hard does VTEC crack? If you need work done on your car; like an install of Titanium retainers, hit me up... I'll hook you up!

 

thats pretty nice of you man, but i haven't had the time to really go anywhere with school pulling me down all the time. I've never been in a stock b16 or a dohc with vtec except for mines. I had friends drive that car and all of them say it has to have cams, but it can't be stage two. depending on the driver, Vtec hits pretty hard. and don't take it offensively but i really don't show anyone my car unless i trust them. its a precaution thing.

 

is there a way to just look at the cams and retainers and springs to tell if they're after market or not? do skunk 2's have a noticeable logo or anything?

 

There's a good chance that he's being completely truthful, and to be honest, I also would have used the stock retainers.

 

what is the advantage with stock retainers?