Adjustable Cam Gears?

[Doug99RS]

Andy is right. Reason being that the engine is interference and if you go tweeking on them the wrong way you can bend valves. The only GOOD way to adjust the cam gears WITHOUT a dyno is to use a dial indicator kit and physically dial in the cams. Ideally everyone should dial in the cams first using a dial indicator set and then use the dyno to fine to. But not everyone is willing to do things the BEST way and just settle for a decent way.
Doug

 

[StreetSleeper34]

Ok, but what exactly is a dial indicator set? ...and where can you get one...for how much? This sounds great if it is cheaper than spending around $100 an hour on a dyno. Appreciate all the help!

 

[Doug99RS]

You'll spend about 150 to 200 for a good set that will do the job. Not only do you have to buy the kit but you have to understand how to use it. I've got a set but well... don't know how to use it yet. All in good time.
Doug

 

[Live2GoFast]

OK i have a question for anyone who can help me. I was woundering since i am gettin cams and valvesprings and retainers if i have to get adjustable cam gears or would it be in my best interest?

 

[speedy13]

yes it would be the perfect time to do this.You might wanna port your intake manni since your at it.and get a cat back, at least a gst one to help escape all the air your gonna be putting in to the engine.

 

[SnoopySLR]

As long as you got most of your engine ripped apart, go get some new pistons and rods. Maybe a forged crank too. And a turbo kit... and a EMS... and NOS... and just for kicks, but a maserati too.

Thats how I ended up with what I got. Needed to replace my valve seals, ended up getting a turbo kit while the head was off, then ended up blowing up the motor, then ended up getting $2500 worth of engine parts, god.... It all happened so fast!

 

[esi-slowboy]

Yes you need to get cam gears in order to prop. tune those cams. Get at some with at least 5 bolts or more on those cam gears you want to make sure they hold and im sure there is a weight difference on some brand but only a matter of ounces.

 

[opie1]

i recommend Fidanza cam gears. i got mine when i did my head and valve train work.

 

[SnoopySLR]

I have the AEM gears. I like em, their red

 

[bullettdsm]

I have the AEM gears. I like em, their red

There ya go Snoop! I got same, but only one (running stock cams right now). I like to have the extra overlap on the exhaust cam. I found that 4 degrees works best for my set-up.
MB

 

[Alibi]

Can somebody explain to me the technical aspect of adjustable cam gears ?? What are some pro's and cons ??

 

[L2RTSiAWD]

The con is if you adjust it wrong you can blow something up. Otherwise there a good mod when you want to dfegree cams or try and get a little extra power.

Not knowing what mods you have I'm not sure it be worth it for you to spend the money on them at this point.

 

[Alibi]

, i'm sure they would not be helpful to me at this point, i was just curious as to what they did in my quest to better understand the 4g63....

 

[steve]

As I understand it the adjustable cam gears have four uses:

1. For "degreeing" the cams. Adjusting cam to their actual centers.
2. For correcting for milled blocks and heads. Since the height between the crank and cams changed the cams will be rotated a fraction of a tooth since the belt length remains the same.
3. For tuning. Requires dyno time to find the "best" setup
4. For Bling.

Steve

 

[Lunch_Box]

The 4th reason being the best to get them of course.

 

[Focker420]

K i have put the head back together already and timed it before so my question is how do i tune the Aem 5 bolt cam gears. I'm thinking the best idea is to put them on and then give it to my dyno guy to do the rest of the tuning. or is there a was to know how to adjust (adv, Rtd) by say like my vacuum. i have bad vacuum at idle from the crane cams i got.

Thanks

Nate

 

[BigRand]

Let the guy with the dyno adjust them, otherwise just keep em at zero.

 

[Focker420]

so just install them at tdc and then give to dyno guy. There is nothin else i can adjust?

 

[BigRand]

Yup Just zero out the cam gears and set your timing to that.

The reason you yourself shouldn't be adjusting them is because you have no idea what that little adjustment could do to your air/fuels. (wideband needed).

Sine your already going to the dyno, you might as well let the guy who's tuning the car make the adjustments as deemed nesscesary, and that way he'll get the most bang for your buck with withonly taking away as much or as little timing as needed.

 

[Focker420]

Ok so installed the timing gears yesterday and wow, Did think it would take me 8 hrs.I blame the goddam side engine mount that is part of the timing cover to giggle that cover out with the bolts that are too long to take out and too close to the body. So had to us a big pry bar and get as much clearance as possiable and finnaly got it free. Also i have a crankshaft undrive pully set and the center hub that goes on to the crankshatf stubb.
When i installed it asked me to freeze the stubb and heat the hub to get the best fit and i don't know if it was meant to come off but we got it . Got it all put back together and started up fine and ran good. Almost seemed to be more natural of a climb in rpm seemed like the cams were ment for the head. But i goes to the dyno guy on wed, so i might just be crazzy, But i can feel it.

I found my old dyno print from last fall when i got my safc2 installed i'll try to post hope it works.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[Focker420]

wow came out this way don't know how sorry.....I've done the underdrive and pulley set also the cam gears since this dyno so tell me what u think?

 

[packinkimber45]

cant get the info I need from the search function. can anyone tell me exactly how an adjustable timing gears work? not familiar with them. do they only fit on the cams one way? I am going to be checking my base timing on a car I bought a couple of months ago and I know it has an aem adjustable cam gears, is there anything I need to know about them before hand? that might help me out or even make things more complicated or not as obvious. thanks in advance.

 

[SkURTnDSM92T]

If the gears are at the 0 degree mark, and tightened, there is nothing that you need to worry about. Make sure that the degree marks are at 0 though. All you have to do is loosen the locking bolts that go around the cam gear to hold it in place, and then place a wrench on the cam gear mounting bolt (17mm).

All and all, if it isnt off 0 degrees, dont touch it.

 

[silver bullit]

Those with adjustable cam gears, what are your setting/advise?

 

[silver bullit]

Yeah i know, but i wanted to know what are some basics retard/advance on the exhaust/intake, otherwise what are some basic settings that i can get started with and what would be a good point to start with.
I just need a some rough estimate on where to get started...
Advance exhaust does...
Advance intake does...
Retard exhaust does...
Retard intake does...