I and others are stuck in this mental debate. So it's important to realize that this thread isn't just for me, it is for everyone that wants to push some boundaries with his/her B16. While crunching the odds and numbers of deciding which cams are best suited for our combo, we start to wonder what others have encountered. This combo is quite typical as I will admit, but many people out there may have a sense of experience with such a combo.

My combo is:
-1st gen B16a (Xsi PR3)
-S1 tranny
-Competition Clutch (stage 2)
-Competition Clutch 8lbs. aluminum flywheel
-beefed up OEM intake induction system
-"neutralized" catalytic converter
-damned good driver

There are eight cam profiles that I have heard good and bad stuff about. I am opting to stay within these choices, but if anyone feels that I should opt for a profile not listed, please feel free to inquire. Please remember that this thread isn't just for me, but it is for MANY other people in my shoes. Therefore, it's gonna be difficult to call me selfish. I have a feeling that the Skunk2 Stage 3, Toda D, BC Spec 4, and the JUN 3 cams are all relatively large profiles, but they are being considered as one of my choices since the B16 is a high rpm range engine.

I don't want people to spoon-feed me here, I just want to see and read about people's experiences with different cam profiles used in conjunction with a similar engine combination. I would like for people to vote, and give an explanation as to why they made such a vote.

Thanks! Once again, this isn't just for me, it's for everyone that is in my position. I am NOT new to racing engines, but I am new to B16's. Therefore, it would be nice to know what other people have encountered, and what they can share with the rest of the Honda-Tech community based upon their experiences.


Modified by integrawow at 10:03 PM 1/4/2007

 

Are you willing to upgrade your VT? Might be a stupid question, but just to make sure...

 

i wanna know about this aswell.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by clean rice &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Are you willing to upgrade your VT? Might be a stupid question, but just to make sure...</TD></TR></TABLE>

have to second that.

 

add TODA SPEC B to the poll hehehe

 

I have a sir2 b16 stock block with s2s2 cams with valve train. Makes 177 whp and 119 wtq as it slams into the limiter at 8500.

 

I said Skunk2 Stage 1 b/c you look like you have a relatively stock motor.

 

I remember reading a similar thread like this about 2 years ago and in it Rocket said something to the effect (correct me if I'm wrong) that most b16a's didn't really like or respond that well to large cams. I think he said that he felt his M22's would be a little large on most b16a's and we know they are slightly larger than a Skunk2 Stage2 cam. Let's face it, those little engines just don't move that much air so they don't respond as well as a larger engine would to bigger cams.

From owning a B16a2 for the last 6 years and modding them I can tell you that in my honest opinion, Anything larger than a BC3, Toda B spec, Skunk2 stage 2 shouldn't be considered unless you've got a serious build going and running ITB's etc. I've seen lightly modded S2S2 B16a's dyno slightly more than mine did with S2S1's, but my power curve looked more broad and theirs looked more peaky (from vtec up to redline).

The proven performers for this engine in the most common modified configurations would be the S2S1's, BC3's and CTR/ITR' cams. I say this from my own experience so everyone else feel free to give their input.

 

I plan to upgrade the valvesprings, but I just don't feel like screwing around with titanium retainers, mainly due to their wear characteristics.

I was once told that my stock B16 retainers had a seat for the second valvespring. Is this b.s.?

I just need to keep this little motor in the upper rpm range, mainly since that is where it seems to do its best work as far as acceleration. I can't wait until SPM finishes the 4.7 and the 4.9 final for the S1/J1 tranny's. I suppose that the 4.7 final would be best for daily driving versus the 4.9.

 

I ran titanium retainers for over 3+ years reving well past 8200 with no issues

 

those akmee cams seem to like the b16

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by alterdcreations &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">those akmee cams seem to like the b16 </TD></TR></TABLE>

Uhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!?????????? akmee, ??????????

 

ive only seen one post with a magical near 200whp number on a b16a and a "stock" motor with bolt ons. has anyone had similar results with the
akmee cams? the question would be then why dont I have a set
Other than that, I would probably opt for a set of Pro 1s. I dont know
about other guys, but if I was a damn good driver I would probably
sandbag more

 

anyone running blox b on b16a or b16b?? what was the hp gain?

 

Okay, it looks like the Skunk2 stage 2's are gonna win this poll.

Now for a question. Did everyone that voted for the S2 stage 2 cams base their decision upon experience with the stage 2 pro cams or the stage 2 non-pro cams?

P.S.- Will I have valve-to-piston clearance issues with these cams? I'm thinking that these cams will be a tight fit.

 

I can guarantee that it's not the Pro series cams that were being suggested as they would be way to big for most any B16a.

You have stock pistons so you should have up to +/- 4 degree adjustability on your cam gear settings. As always, if there's any doubt, you should always clay the clearance to see for yourself but you should be safe. (On a relatively stock build like yours I doubt you'd do much adjusting on the cam gears, maybe a couple degrees either way)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by integrawow &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Okay, it looks like the Skunk2 stage 2's are gonna win this poll.

Now for a question. Did everyone that voted for the S2 stage 2 cams base their decision upon experience with the stage 2 pro cams or the stage 2 non-pro cams?

P.S.- Will I have valve-to-piston clearance issues with these cams? I'm thinking that these cams will be a tight fit. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I didn't vote the Stage 2s, but I've had them in my B16 and got pretty good results. I said Stage 1s because your setup sounds quite stockish and you don't seem to have enough compression, but thats just my opinion.

Definitly not talking about the Pro series cams. The regular stage 2s.

I doubt you'll have clearance problems. I didn't.

my B16 setup if you're interested https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1622528

 

skunk stage 1's...........

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SkoundrelUSA &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I didn't vote the Stage 2s, but I've had them in my B16 and got pretty good results. I said Stage 1s because your setup sounds quite stockish and you don't seem to have enough compression, but thats just my opinion.

</TD></TR></TABLE>


When you look at that pole you have to wonder who the hell voted and if they even knew anything..someone voted for Toda D's? man....

 

The last 5 cams on your poll really don't belong in a stock b16.

 

based on ur mods (and stock compression) the only cams u should be considering IMO are skunk2 stage 1 or bc3. everything else u listed is too big for ur motor.

Here is a dyno of my b16 & a friends b16. Both very similar mods, only diferences are cams (and slight variations in intake & header combo). I have s2s1's, he has bc3's. Both dynoed on the same dyno, tuned by the same person, and dynoed within a few weeks of eachother.

Mine (blue line)


His

 

I would also say skunk 1s. They have a broder power band, can be run with stock compression, and produce overall power. I have skunk 1s and love them.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by strsi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">based on ur mods (and stock compression) the only cams u should be considering IMO are skunk2 stage 1 or bc3. everything else u listed is too big for ur motor.

Here is a dyno of my b16 & a friends b16. Both very similar mods, only diferences are cams (and slight variations in intake & header combo). I have s2s1's, he has bc3's. Both dynoed on the same dyno, tuned by the same person, and dynoed within a few weeks of eachother.

Mine (blue line)


His
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Hey, tell me more about you and your friends combo's. I'm very interested. PM me if you need to. I would love to have power numbers like you have.

Please let me know more. Thanks!

P.S.- Thanks to all that have posted. This thread has been really helpful.

 

b16 USDM
Mine

10.8:1 CR due to mugen headgasket & omni valves
omni valvetrain
s2s1 & cam gears
aem itr intake
alaniz street master headwork
s2 IM
RMF header
apex exhaust
itr tb
smsp 300 cell cat
hondata s200 tuned by Church

Friends

b16 USDM
10.8:1 CR due to 2 layer oem headgasket & omni valves
omni valvetrain
bc3's & cam gears
aem v2 intake
alaniz street master headwork
b16 IM
JDM itr header
rsr exhaust
itr tb
carsound cat
hondata s200 tuned by Church

 

Nice power!! Im hoping for 180 after my intake manifold!!