Well since I've been looking for info on cams and how they work with turbo setups and haven't found much. And yes I did search, 8hours reading all the info here , toonerz and neons.org and there is very little info on how the cams behave with a turbo.


The best info I got from all that reading is that Crowers are best because of the higher lift and less duration.


But what I would really want to see here is info on how different cams have worked out with turbo. Taking into considerating things like if they where dialed in with gears, how much did it move the power band, till what rpm are they making power, etc..

There is a real nice sticky on the performance section but it's mostly about NA setup's so I think there should be one for the turbo section also.

All the specs for cams can be found on that sticky so I wont go over that. Just wanna discuss the effect on performance of the cams used.

Hope this get's filled with lots of info so we can all benefit from it.

Im running cranes turbo grinds but I never drove my car boosted with the oem cams so IDK.. The only thing I can really say about them is that they hold a really good idle... Im curious about this too.. Because I have heard cranes turbo grinds are shitty but I live 5 minutes from howell automotive and he talked me into getting them

As far as cams I was trying to decide if I wanted aftermarket cams for my turbo build and I think I pretty much decided for what cams cost i'll stay stock unless I come across a deal I cannot pass up.

Yes they are a costly mod, but that is why exactly I made this post.
So we can get the info needed before making a $500 purchase plus the install and components needed to do it.


I would really like to have ones that have a nice loapy idle that is good; not stalling!.... and for it to move my power band a bit higher in the rpm range. Once in full boost is way better to have more than 2500 rpm to use ....

It would be nice if I could get a nice power band till 7500rpm.. cuz the stock power band starts falling around 6200rpm.

Anyways thanxs for showing some interest in the post. I hope more members give some info on how they have worked for them.

I tried crane 14s, i didnt like the idle. I just picked up a set of 16s the idles much smoother and my turbo spools about 500 rpm faster than with the turbo grinds, wierd huh?

Originally posted by Raine883
I tried crane 14s, i didnt like the idle. I just picked up a set of 16s the idles much smoother and my turbo spools about 500 rpm faster than with the turbo grinds, wierd huh?

Nice info. Can you say what exactly is your setup? So how was the vacuum on idle? Did the power band move some?

Heres my setup

Bottom end
Weisco 8:5:1
Eagle Hs
Acl bearings

Top End
Crane 16s
Osuka cam gears exhaust retarded 2 notches
Fully ported head with 1mm OS valves
Revised lifters/rockers

Turbo stuff
Custom manifold/DP/Intercooler
Turbonetics t3/t4 60 trim 22psi
Tial Wastegate
Raptor BOV
Megasquirt 2.2

Air/Fuel/Ignition
Deka #85 Injectors
OBX Manifold
Modern performance TB
Taylormade plug wires
Msd coil

Powerband is up from around 6800 with the 14s to closer to 7000-7100 with 16s


Vacuum holds right around 20 at idle, Its much smoother i was holding arou 12-15 with 14s

Sounds nice... how about the hp gains?

So the power drops around 7100rpm or do you red line at 7100rpm?

haha this makes me laugh... I got about the same setup atleast engine wise...crane turbo grinds what a fucking joke

Originally posted by Cyexmaster
Sounds nice... how about the hp gains? So the power drops around 7100rpm or do you red line at 7100rpm?

Power drops at 7100 my red line is set at 7600, Im not sure about the hp gains. Im going to dyno it when i get home, i work for a pipeline company and unfortunately im stuck 3000 miles away from my car.

And thanxs for the info, looking forward to see the dyno numbers with that setup.

(Clean)

Well, when I started my turbo build (BW366 10.5 comp and supporting mods), I started out with a base of the stock cams. Got to 360whpish on those cams with a peak right around 7100 (which is actually higher than I thought). I looked at the numbers on the Crower's and decided I liked the Crower 2 NA's over the Crower turbo grinds (I believe they had higher lift and longer duration. Some argue about turbo's not having longer duration. I disagree).

With the Crowers, I run a peak of around 7500 and power right around 570whp at 29lbs.

Now, this isn't a street build, this is a race build, BUT it is my belief that the Crower 2's would also be great for a street build. Keep in mind that the 2's have been used NA many many times with the only problems of sometimes there are lopey idle situations and a slight loss of low end. So dovetail that with your turbo selection and I'm thinking probably best choice.

As you have noticed, the post will be kept clean so please keep your replies as part of the topic. Thanxs bullet for the clean-up! ;)

I don't have any numbers, but I have Crane 14's. I would just call them conservative. The idle has always been smooth like stock. I pull 18-20 inches of vacuum (depending on my ignition advance and load). I can also pass a rolling 15 and 25 mph emissions test. I was unsure if a more agressive cam would do that.

Corbin
'95 ESI-T

Now with more power and fewer leaks



Humble servant of the Wiki

I also have Crane 14's but wont have dyno results for some time. Prolly within the next month.

Off the bat i noticed I am slightly leaner on the top end which leads me to believe i am getting more air into the cylinders at the same pressure. Once i have the car tuned a bit more I will Dyno it to see what gains I experienced.

Idle is like factory which is nice as Corbin said for Emissions and simple driveability.

Terry

Originally posted by Star Turbo Talon
I also have Crane 14's but wont have dyno results for some time. Prolly within the next month. Off the bat i noticed I am slightly leaner on the top end which leads me to believe i am getting more air into the cylinders at the same pressure. Once i have the car tuned a bit more I will Dyno it to see what gains I experienced. Idle is like factory which is nice as Corbin said for Emissions and simple driveability. Terry

I agree with above, and I experienced the same leaning. In the end I switched to regrinded stock cams because my goals for the car had changed (before I sold it). But Crane 14s are the ideal combination of performance and a stock idle

God bless Texas, and no emissions testing... and mechanics that only know something is aftermarket if its colorful

Just for reference I have no problem passing emissions (Connecticut OBD-2 check) with the Crower 2's.

Bullet yours using the Crower 2's NA correct?

How did you get your powerband till 8600rpm? Adj cam sprockets?

Seems they work nice...lol 500+ hp

Originally posted by Cyexmaster
Bullet yours using the Crower 2's NA correct? How did you get your powerband till 8600rpm? Adj cam sprockets? Seems they work nice...lol 500+ hp

MSnS plus the whole of the set-up (AMM intake, cam choice, port work, header, BW366 high spool turbo etc). Allows for a peak power around 7500 with a nice power hold after that.

A dyno session vid would be nice! ....

Your car must sound really mean..lol

Originally posted by Cyexmaster
A dyno session vid would be nice! ....

Yeah, we keep thinking about doing that, but I guess nobody is really into it. We're all more focused on what's going on on the dyno, lol. Maybe next time I take the time to vid one pull.

Is it safe to rev above 7k with stock lifters and rocker? I already have cower springs and retainers... but have not upgraded lifter or rockers.

Originally posted by Cyexmaster
Is it safe to rev above 7k with stock lifters and rocker?

Yeah, no problem. The reason to upgrade is because of better oiling capabilities.

passing emissions is impressive Mark. On Kalugas pig with Crower 2's i never could keep the CEl off for more than 1 day.

Originally posted by bullettdsm

Originally posted by Cyexmaster Is it safe to rev above 7k with stock lifters and rocker?

Yeah, no problem. The reason to upgrade is because of better oiling capabilities.

So I should be fine? or would you recommend to upgrade ? I don't plan on reving it past 7k on daily basis but I will surely beat on it hard when I do....

You will be fine. If you are paranoid then replace them.

Originally posted by CODE4
You will be fine. If you are paranoid then replace them.

lol.... just checking... don't wanna blow up my head....