I noticed that my cam gears are going out because they have a slight wobble and squeal to them. I was curious to see if I should buy like some aem aftermarket cam gears, or just hit the local dealer and take it up the ass for some stock ones. Also, I searched but couldn't find a lot of info on a walkthrough for replacing them. Maybe a site or something could tell me how to do it in detail.
Oh yeah, one more thing. I need to replace my lower O2 sensor, how easy are those???

Originally posted by Dryx
I was curious to see if I should buy like some aem aftermarket cam gears, or just hit the local dealer and take it up the ass for some stock ones.

Go and buy some AEM cam gears, they are only like $300 for a pair, that is atleast what the dealer will charge you for some ghey ones. They are easy to change too, youll need to get a special tool from autozone (which is free rentals), which will remove the cam gear from the cam shaft. Itll prob. take you a total of 2 hours, and only a couple of gaskets. I dont know of a walkthrough though.

Originally posted by Dryx
I need to replace my lower O2 sensor, how easy are those???

Easy as hell. I think its 17mm wrench to remove it, and will prob. cost about $60 from http://www.oxygensensors.com

I hear Fidanza cam gears are better for our cars. The 0 is off just a little on the AEMs because they are desinged for I think neons. Also the Fidanza ones have like 5 bolts holding them in place and the AEMs only have 3 so there is less chance of slipping with the Fidanzas.

i have some stock ones if you want to buy them...
doug

well DO NOT BUY AEM!!! the timing is off and a PAIN IN THE ASS!!! Why not buy something that was desinged right in the first place??? Don't settle for something half-ass and pay the same that you would for something that is well designed and has JUST as good of a name IF NOT BETTER!! IMO buy either crane or fidanza, ERT sells crane for $300 and they are sooooo nice. I have a pair and they are well worth it. They are well built and look great, they are very light weight reducing rotating mass on the crank and are 10* adjustable just like AEM but come with a 5-bolt design. If you use the search you will find alot of people agree that crane and fidanza are quality products and you will also find all the problems related with AEM. Just trying to head you off of a whole butt load of problems...

my car will sound like, bumbabumbubavrooooooooooooooomrooooooooahhhhhhhhhhhhh, kishhhhhh

VW= The joy of driving
DSM= The frustration of fixing

Hey man. Definately go w/ Crane or Fidanza, you wont regret it.. If you really want stockers, I have a set, but I recommend aftermarket ones.. As far as a walkthrough, this is all ya need: http://www.ecanfix.com/users/manualcd/gift/dsm/2gnt_420a_overhaul.pdf
I think its page 28 for the cam removal and for the cam gear which will need to be removed also go to the timing section, you will have to redo your timing, so if you are close to the 90k mark, might as well replace all pulleys and gears while you are there. G'luck, if ya need any help hit me up, I can help ya.. As far as tools, technically you dont need any except the harmonic pulley for your crank pulley, b/c you can rig it up to use to wrenches or one wrench and one ratchet, hmm 18mm I think, but I cant remember exactly. Hit me up on here or aim and I can help ya out.. where you from? I'm RAWDAWGSTV on aim.. g'luck peace

I'm leary of the 3 bolt design. There was an upgrade to the bolts on the AEM because there were some problems too. I know plenty of people with them, and they have no problems at all. But I just worry. And I wouldn't pay $300 for AEM. Especially when you can get Fidanza's for $250 or less, and Crane's for $300.



Exile Racing Technologies: http://www.exileracing.com
una salus victus
It's holding down the garage floor right now.

Alright guys, thanks for the advice. And stv, thanks for the 420A overhaul manual, that'll help out a lot. I'll check out both brands of cam gears and get those asap. Mine are starting to look a lil wobbly and the squeak is getting worse!

This is dumb...second time I tried to order some cam gears and they are on backorder. I need them here NOW or I'm afraid my shits gonna get broke!!! first tried through stylin concepts (before I knew aem were teh suxor) yesterday, and then went through howell automotive for the fidanza's...wtf? Both companies said, "Due to the unexpected demand for this product, blah blah bullshit bullshit". Maybe a truck driver at my work tonight will hit my car and I can get killer bones to pay for some killer mods and I can be happy...long as I don't get killered in the process. sigh

Cam gears can't exactly "go out". They're 1 piece cast. I'd check and make sure they aren't loose or bent.

Originally posted by Dryx
This is dumb...second time I tried to order some cam gears and they are on backorder. I need them here NOW or I'm afraid my shits gonna get broke!!! first tried through stylin concepts (before I knew aem were teh suxor) yesterday, and then went through howell automotive for the fidanza's...wtf? Both companies said, "Due to the unexpected demand for this product, blah blah bullshit bullshit". Maybe a truck driver at my work tonight will hit my car and I can get killer bones to pay for some killer mods and I can be happy...long as I don't get killered in the process. sigh

The gears can't go bad. There is nothing to go bad about em. The tensioner, the pulleys, the belt can all go bad, but not the gears.

hmm, I thought they had bearings attached to em or some shit like that, that's why I thought they was goin out. Son of a bitch, now I gotta go pop my hood in this cold ass weather and check to see if they need tightening or whatnot, whathavya...thanks for helpin the newbster yet again

We have Cranes available, ship within 24-48 hours.

I can see what turn around Fidanzas would take for you.



Exile Racing Technologies: http://www.exileracing.com
una salus victus
It's holding down the garage floor right now.

koolz, drop me an email with some info. TIA

Originally posted by Dryx
hmm, I thought they had bearings attached to em or some shit like that, that's why I thought they was goin out. Son of a bitch, now I gotta go pop my hood in this cold ass weather and check to see if they need tightening or whatnot, whathavya...thanks for helpin the newbster yet again

No, they are bolted directly to the cam, and are located via a dowel pin in the same. No bearing.