As the topic states...I want to know which cams I should use...Skunk2 Stage 1 or 2...this is what I have in addition to the cams

1. Apexi N1 Exhaust
2. DC JDM 4-1 Header
3. High Flow Cat
3. Skunk2 IM
4. Skunk2 springs/retainers
5. P28 w/Hondata
6. Thinner Headgasket (kometic)

Based on that...should I go Skunk2 Stage 1's or 2's. I have read that the Stage 2's require higher compression. Would the thinner headgasket bump it enough to make it worth my while or should I just stick with the Stage 1's.

Also, is the GSR bottom end up to the task of revving as high as the Stage 2's make power. Cause I know the Stage 1's alone make power above 8 so the Stage 2's must be up there...around 9k I'm guessing?

Help me decide H-T!


Modified by teameracer3 at 8:21 AM 7/22/2004

 

Stage 1 will be perfect, i have no explantion or reasoning, itll just be perfect

 

based on your current mods, you prob should go with stage1s. im gonna guess stage1 with your current setup and some tuning youd be puttin down about ~175whp. you can make ~190+whp before having to raise compression with stage1s though.

you can make higher compression with a thinner headgasket but remember that your valve clearance gets smaller. and if you mill the head and block it gets that much more tight. not that you cant do it, but keep it in mind with your goals and parts you upgrade.

i rev my stock bottom end up to 9.2krpm. no problems so far. i read somewhere that the stock bottom end is good to about 10krpms. dunno how true that is though.

 

bump!

 

great start on the bolt on and everything. But from my researches, and friend experiences, the s2 stage 2 cams aren't a bad idea if you got your valvetrain all built. For all motor setup, it's alwayz better to try to get the higher compression. But really if you dont really plan on reving pass 8k, there isn't realli any point in going all motor to me. Any cam upgrade will make power pass 8k. My recommendation is to built up your valvetrain and stage 2. You wont regret it with the little extra power you'll be making with the stage 2. Plus try to get it tune asap after you get it on. Tuning is the key to fast cars. keep that in mind...o sorry...i didn't see, you got valvetrain done...S2 STAGE 2 MAN...go fo it. my friend with it dont complain about them. i'm not sure if your goin to have a rough ideal tho.

 

stage 1 is more for the stock setup

i ran stage 2 cams with stage 2 ported head and milled it 30thousanths which helped a bit because i ran stock gsr bottom end rev it 9k all day and i mean very often....
had DTR head ots 1800 and apexi n1 exhaust
skunk intake manifold and itr tb
4puck clutch
p28 with skunk chip

you got hondata thats a nice upgrade and valvesprings stage 1 is perfect as stated but stage are something since u paid for the valvetrain mine as well use it

i made 197.6 with JDM ITR header and rev'd it to 8500

 

Unless your going to bump up your compression (besides the headgasket) then I would highly suggest Stage 1's. If you go with Stage 2's you'll be overcamming your engine and won't see their potential. Get Stage 1's, tune them and see what kind of power you get. If your not happy then its time to build that bottom end, bump up your compression and get the Stage 2's.

With your current setup I see Stage 1's as the way to go

 

thanks for all the input so far...keep em coming!

 

Two main things that make me want to go Stage 1's is because they are CARB exempt (not that a cop would pop the hood and say, "hey, you have cams!" haha)..and two,like patdemps said, I don't want to overcam. But I dunnoe would that be overcamming it or would the thinner headgasket be enough that the Stage 2's would yield a greater gain then stage 1's?

 

stage2's + upgraded valve springs + titanium retainers =
that's a lot of $ though.....

i was never aware that bottom end upgrades were needed w/ stage 2's. I thought a new valvetrain + good tuning would do the trick
<---- always learning

 

I have a very similar set up to yours, except im using my stock gsr manifold and ecu w/ hondata s100. I also got a thinner head gasket (Mugen) to bump the compression, and used skunk2 springs/retainers. I chose the stage 1 cams just because they seem to be the right cams to go with due to the compression being appx. 10.3:1, but if i was to build the bottom end i'd go with stage 2. Stage 1 idle like stock, and i kinda like that too. Im still waiting for Mase to get back to me about tuning, hes a busy guy, numbers coming soon!!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SloGizzer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have a very similar set up to yours, except im using my stock gsr manifold and ecu w/ hondata s100. I also got a thinner head gasket (Mugen) to bump the compression, and used skunk2 springs/retainers. I chose the stage 1 cams just because they seem to be the right cams to go with due to the compression being appx. 10.3:1, but if i was to build the bottom end i'd go with stage 2. Stage 1 idle like stock, and i kinda like that too. Im still waiting for Mase to get back to me about tuning, hes a busy guy, numbers coming soon!!!</TD></TR></TABLE>

Whats the rest of your setup? I bet you'd benefit nicely with a Skunk2 Intake Manifold. Especially with those cams....

 

i'm having the same dilemma myself. i plan to get the skunk2 im, jdm itr pisons, reprogrammed computer and cams. but i don't know if i should go with the stage 1 or 2 cams. i was thinking stage 1 but i don't know if it will be a good setup since my compression will be a bit higher since i have a gsr.

 

BUMP!

 

BUMP!

 

u need more compression... u dont have enough with just a head gasket...and the thinner head gasket only lowers ur piston/valve clearance...ud have to clay the motor for sure... might as well build the bottom for compression before u get the cams.... otherwise ur just pushin it and not using the cams to the full potential...the cams need 11.5:1 or even higher to really run well ive read.... to get mAX power that is. with the head gasket u MIGHt be gettin 10.2:1 on a gsr.

edit: above was for stage 2's.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by GunMETAL_TEgRa &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">stage 1 is more for the stock setup

i ran stage 2 cams with stage 2 ported head and milled it 30thousanths which helped a bit because i ran stock gsr bottom end rev it 9k all day and i mean very often....
had DTR head ots 1800 and apexi n1 exhaust
skunk intake manifold and itr tb
4puck clutch
p28 with skunk chip

you got hondata thats a nice upgrade and valvesprings stage 1 is perfect as stated but stage are something since u paid for the valvetrain mine as well use it

i made 197.6 with JDM ITR header and rev'd it to 8500</TD></TR></TABLE>
Wow, everything was done on a stock block?!?! That is impressive!!!!

THis is what i dont get, everyone says s2s2's need alot of compression and wouldnt do good with a stock gsr block.. But then theres people out there that say jun3's with stock gsr's RIP!! And skunk2 stage 2's = jun3's somewhat....

Equation isnt adding up....

 

wow, way to bring a thread back from the dead...Great info though!

 

yeah, but you can tell ive been searching

Cant say SEARCH!! I hate that....

 

if you go with stage 1 i would rather go with ctr camshafts but if you go stage 2 then skunk2 would be best ...

 

is there alot of difference between the stage 1s and ctr cams?....what is the difference

 

bump...