The guy that degreed my skunk2 pro 1+ cams said that i wont ever need to adjust the cam gears again. What about when I go to get tuned at the dyno? Wont they need to advance or retard the cam timing? Please explain.

 

he simply means that your cams have been installed to spec and shouldn't make any more power if adjusted. Attempting to adjust them on a dyno will show that to be true or not for you.

 

IF he did it correctly, I doubt your engine will make any more power by adjusting the cams on the dyno.

 

OK thanks. Why is it said that the pro 1+ cams are so hard to tune? And what 'tuning' are they referring to?

 

pro 1 cams can be harder to tune because they have larger than stock primary lobes meaning you have to tune your low maps to get it to idle properly and make power before VTEC. Cams that use stock like primaries tend to run off of stock like maps in the low end so they're very easy to tune and you can focus more on the VTEC/high maps.

 

So its possible that stage 2 tuner series cams will outperform me down low if i'm not tuned properly

 

well yes, but that would go for any cam and tuning really.

 

I appreciate your help. I've built a B16a daily driver with the following parts

Skunk2 pro series intake manifold
Skunk2 pro 1+ cams
tuner series valve springs and retainers
CTR pistons
Greddy 4-2-1 header
Greddy SP2 exhaust

The head has also been mildy ported and polished. What are your views on this setup. I've read on here that the CTR pistons were not such a good idea. I'm more interested in reliability than power, but i want it to be fun to drive.

 

well your setup should be fine if it was put together properly but if you're more interested in reliability than power, I'd find a good tuner and tuning system and have it done right.

 

OP - degreeing camshafts only helps you find the true centerline of your cams (0,0 on the gears). it is possible that your particular motor is making optimal power once degreed, but you won't know unless you actually hit up a dyno.

 

CTR Pistons just have big domes...it makes them heavier than you'd like...and inhibits flame travel and possibly flow when compared with a flatter piston. The problems really start occurring when people try to use the CTRs with GSR heads. It's no bueno!

You really might want to think about going with a different header/exhaust combo. A 2.5" collector header and a 2.5" exhaust would benefit you, IMO.

The Narrow header would be a good fit for this package, I'd think. Especially since you just want it to be a fun street machine.

More than likely, HP gained from moving the cam gears (when properly degreed in) would be minimal. While the tuner may not be able to increase HP/Torque by moving the cams....he WOULD be able to shift the powerband to a more usable position in the RPM range .

 

are you sure about that? not arguing with you, just curious.

i was under the impression that power can possibly be made by moving the cam gears around (so long as your valve-to-valve has been measured out of course). ie: advancing the exhaust camshaft increases compression by not allowing you to bleed off compression in the cylinder...stuff like that (reduce overlap = increase compression?)