I was just curious if there was any ill-effect of running these cams a lot on the track. Will they greatly hinder reliability, or anything? Is one set up more durable for some reason than another? Any thoughts on this subject?

I know there were quite a few JUN prepped cars at the first Expo, but I don't really know any of the guys personally. I know Paul has a JUN motor, but his car kept over heating, hence the car was not on the track much at all. I just would like to know ahead of time what the negatives are.

Do you have any input Jack?

Wes

 

Drive train wear is the only thing I can think of. Track driving usually increases the need for appropriate oil/fluid cooling. I would think that modded B18C5 running hotter cams is going to run hotter at the track than say a stock motor - so you have to watch your oil temps very carefully.

Usually with the high-lift cams - valvetrain upgrades are also done - usually with lighter/stronger pieces - so some of the valvetrain wear is negated.

Facial strain from extended periods of grinning is the only other concern that might come up.

 

i'm also interested in this topic. Good stuff..keep it comin fellas!

 

Whenever you make a car perform better, you almost always make it less reliable. Reliability depends basically on HOW much you push that enveloppe. If you rev higher with cams, the parts will last less long and wear will be greater. If you make more power, the cylinder walls and gasket will have to take much more pressure. It's almost a given that the more power you have (coming from the same platform) the less reliable it could be.

There's of course no way to judge if reinforcing the bottom end + cams or other mods would be more or less reliable than a pure stock config. Just too many variables.

 

Wouldn't one need to take into account the rpm range used by a given driver as well as experience behind the wheel?

For instance, I don't know how to heel-toe(yet), so I'm sure my rpms drop several hundred more than someone who can upon entering a slow turn. The strength of one cam's power-band over another may be more advantageous to me than to a more experienced driver that never falls below 6500 rpms in that same turn. Just a thought!

 

Wes -

Nothing bad here yet......Lot's of track miles with the toda joy and nothing yet.! Even ran last year with stock valve train, not too smart but nothing broke.

P.S. Cams will not make the car overheat.

 

Ill effects ...no. My motor setup the fun begins at 7k and thats where the it makes its power.

Reliability... yes. after 8 track events my motor needs rings from spinning past 9500.

Overheating...well at shorter tracks like Pocono I found that the stock radiator was fine but at longer tracks you like the Glen and Daytona I needed the bigger radiator along with better brakes...a friend overheated and warped the head so keep an eye on that...it was a long tow home

Higher revs do take a toll on rings, hence my little blowby problem
if you are going to spin it then you'll need to build it up with better parts
Fluids...I change everything after each event...coolant, oil,brake fluid, pretty much everything that has a wear limit

 

this is not about cams for road racing, but definitely invest in an aftermkt. radiator..
I'm the one with the head gasket problem 555R is referring to.

 

What motor setup and radiator are you running? High compression? I'm debating going to a C&R civic radiator from my full-width gsr radiator in my civic so we have more room for a custom header we're going to run.
Thanks.

 

Wes - check with Carlex for a Fluidyne radiator. After seeing his, it's a NICE piece & has got to do a better job then the damn stock radiator...I know how hard you drive on the track - so grab this & the moroso larger oil pan & collector - you'll be good to go (and maybe stay ahead of me )

BudMan (who lost to Wes last time & refuses to do it again!!!)

 

Hey Jeff, I was considering getting the radiator. EP has one, and his car stayed very cool during the Expo. I am not sure about the Moroso oil pan though. I have heard from others that some work is involved to get it to fit.

Do you have something in store for me Jeff? What kind of goodies are you getting?

 

Wes -

I'm not getting anything too special other than tires (probably the V700's) and Jim is REALLY pushing me towards suspension....I gotta say after my trip to Deal's Gap & the Solo II, my 75,000 mile stock suspension is not what it used to be

Oh well, I guess I better pick up some more website design business to pay for my goodies!!!

How many miles you have on your Tein's so far?? Let me know if your getting rid of yours cheap


[Modified by BudMan, 9:31 AM 11/6/2001]

 

poor man's type r motor in a 96 civic coupe with civic radiator.
10.6:1 compression..
look into fluidyne radiator or dual coil radiator, then you shouldn't overheat.