Cams for a 2.3

[kingjust]

What' good everyone, i'm trying to decide what cams I want to put into my setup. I'm finishing up a 2.3 build and i'm working on the head pieces. I'm torn between the fp3, 280, or 288's. Which one would be the most "bang for the buck." My goal is a 450-550 awhp DD on a mild tune. Turbo is up in the air, and I will have a SMIM with a 75mm TB soon. Probably upgrading to 3" ICP's. And yes I have dual springs by supertech! I just don't know what cams to get. I know the beast sucks in more air... so help me choose a cam my fellow dsm'ers!!

KJ

 

[VETTE_50_TH]

I've heard the fp3 are really good at sucking a lot of air. Your not pushing for a huge goal, so it depends i guess whether you dont want to lose a lot of low end or you dont mind. I think the fp2 would also be a good choice.

James

 

[kingjust]

Yeah... I heard the FP3's are specific for strokers, even though they are cheaper than HKS's, 450 shipped is still steep for me. I'm thinking about the BC 288, since I'm going to have the valvetrain to run it. I don't know, maybe 280's, others... please chime in!

Thanks,

KJ

 

[hostile]

You do know your going to need bigger springs for these cams. If 450 is steep, wait till you spend the 399 dollars on dual springs.

If your on a budget I would say go with some used fp2 cams since you can drop them in on stock springs.

 

[90laserRSfwd]

He already stated he has Supertech dual springs. I have BC 280's. I'm on a 2.0L though so I can't really say if they're good for a stroker. I know that the the FP3's (and FP3x's) are designed around the piston speed and have a higher ramp up then the BC 280's or 288's. Did you get the standard supertech springs or the high tension ones?

 

[skate enjoi]

I have basically the exact same setup as the OP. My motor isnt in my car yet, but everything is together and ready to drop in. I went with Crower 280s on my head. I guess Ill let you know how it is when I get everything in the car

 

[kingjust]

He already stated he has Supertech dual springs. I have BC 280's. I'm on a 2.0L though so I can't really say if they're good for a stroker. I know that the the FP3's (and FP3x's) are designed around the piston speed and have a higher ramp up then the BC 280's or 288's. Did you get the standard supertech springs or the high tension ones?

Most definitely the high tension, I was just thinking that if I wanted to go with a revving bottom end, my head can just as easily go over to that bottom end and spin that bi*** up. Basically dual purposed per se', but i'm loving more of the bottom end torque that I will have with the stroked out 4g63. And i'm alreadying reading up on degreeing them so they will be peak when put into the motor... oh yeah, just to let everyone know, got the motor today... sexy!!!!! I guess I just need other guinea pigs who've already run setups that i'm looking at and giving their feedback.

KJ

 

[kingjust]

I have basically the exact same setup as the OP. My motor isnt in my car yet, but everything is together and ready to drop in. I went with Crower 280s on my head. I guess Ill let you know how it is when I get everything in the car

I'll be anxiously waiting for your report... soldier... you are dismissed Just kiddin!!!

KJ

 

[dsm-onster]

I like the fp3s. Unless you'll want more down the road. They are plenty for your current goal.

The fp2xs are identical to the fp3s except for the centerline angles. Thus the fp3s have a bit more overlap than fp2xs. I've taken my fp2xs to much higher than stock rev limits using simple manley single springs and all other stock head components. 10s of thouands of miles now. The fp3s coupled to your dual springs will give you tremendous reliability (WAY overbuilt, IMHO) because fp3s have marginally better ramprate than the plane fp2s, of which boast the ability of running stock valve springs.

However, I recommend BC 280s (and 288s):

1. With their higher peak lift, they give your stroker that much needed flow, as each stroke certainly demands more air. Afterall, you're installing a head designed for a 2.0L onto a 2.3-4L block.

2. Concerning their higher duration, remember that strokers idle much better with higher duration. As well, the higher duration doesn't neccesarly mean a much higher powerband. This is because of the piston speed increase and the higher airflow demand. Both cause the air to flow faster at lower rpms. Duration is airspeed dependant, not rpm dependant.

3. Besides, you already have a SMIM. . .

4. You already have plenty of spring for the added lift.

 

[kingjust]

Awww, c'mon, way overbuilt??!!! Better do it right the first time, don't you think? Anyways, i got the spring set for 320 shipped... you can't beat that, especially for that kind of spring pressure! Now, thanks for saving me a hundred dollars. While the fp3's are made for a stroker, like you said, the higher duration is needed because my engine is going to love to gobble up air. So it's either the 280 or 288's. Havn't seen much on strokers with 288's... maybe I can be the first???? thanks again, and I will post pics of shit that I got done already!

Stay TUNED,

KJ

 

[JayRolla]

I think my mechanic is running a set of 288's in his stroker. I will ask him some for some feedback on them. My buddy is running 280's in his stroker and they work awesome. Running 288's in your stroker will be like 280's in a 2.0 so it will be a little aggressive.

 

[kingjust]

No doubt brother, hook me up with some info!! I might get some DKS's also... I wonder how many in the stroker community has any DKS's? Let me know what's good with your mechanic, also find out what turbo he is running for good measure. Thanks!!

KJ

 

[dsm-onster]

Take a look at getting an adjustable cam gear. The 280s may have a less favorable overlap for a stroker. There goes your $100 .

Fp3s and FP3Xs have that stroker-specific overlap. FP3Xs have similar peak lifts to 280s. Though FP3Xs have less duration, they have more aggresive ramp rate than the 280s. Agressive ramp rates can somewhat 'fool the airflow into thinking' there's more duration. Thus, an agressive ramprate can broaden the powerband: more down low (always good for a stroker) and more up top. The ramp rates are fine with your dual springs.

And I agree. For 600whp or less, I would not look at the 288s.

 

[JayRolla]

I know he is running the 288 cams and a T67 To4e turbo making 600+whp on e85.

 

[kingjust]

Take a look at getting an adjustable cam gear. The 280s may have a less favorable overlap for a stroker. There goes your $100 .

Fp3s and FP3Xs have that stroker-specific overlap. FP3Xs have similar peak lifts to 280s. Though FP3Xs have less duration, they have more aggresive ramp rate than the 280s. Agressive ramp rates can somewhat 'fool the airflow into thinking' there's more duration. Thus, an agressive ramprate can broaden the powerband: more down low (always good for a stroker) and more up top. The ramp rates are fine with your dual springs.

And I agree. For 600whp or less, I would not look at the 288s.

Ok, stay away from the 288's, gotcha! And I already have some adjustables (venom fangs in purple with the HKS purple super strong timing belt), looks quite sexy, also having the zacklee clear timing belt cover...... Anyways, so the FP3x's have a similar accelerated ramp rate (for a stroker), but have a greater duration (meaning staying open a tad bit longer). I need to see how they match up to other's 280's... yeah, I think there went my 100, even though I already have the adjustables!!!

On a side note, I just want to thank everyone who has posted, i have obtained some knowledge from all of you because I was a bit ignorant towards cam setups... well not that much, but I know there are greater minds out there, so why not pick there brains! And for that, I thank you all for dropping some knowledge on a brotha!

Thanks a million!

KJ

 

[dsm-onster]

Ok, stay away from the 288's, gotcha! And I already have some adjustables (venom fangs in purple with the HKS purple super strong timing belt), looks quite sexy, also having the zacklee clear timing belt cover......

Don't count out the 280s then. You can insure ideal overlap at a dyno/track w/ adjustable cam gears. The question is what you want: more peak hp or a broader but lower hp curve.

Anyways, so the FP3x's have a similar accelerated ramp rate (for a stroker), but have a greater duration (meaning staying open a tad bit longer).

??? The fp3Xs, yes, have similar accelerated ramp rates to fp3s. But they do not have more duration. The 280s have higher duration than any fp cam. The fp3Xs have similar lift to the 280s, higher ramp rate, lower duration. You should look at the fp3Xs because they work so damned well w/ strokers. The accelerated ramp rates of the fp3xs are ideal for a stroker. The fp3x will give you more power under the curve. The 280s will give you more peak power. Or to restate: The 280s give you more power at 7K and match better to a SMIM.

I am not a supporter of FP's (or HKS') inflated prices. But, I think you should grab a set of fp3xs. The extra 100 bones is worth the more streetable nature of the fp3xs. You will still have plenty of cam to go quite a bit beyond your current goal.

On a side note, I just want to thank everyone who has posted, i have obtained some knowledge from all of you because I was a bit ignorant towards cam setups... well not that much, but I know there are greater minds out there, so why not pick there brains! And for that, I thank you all for dropping some knowledge on a brotha!

That's what this forum is for.

 

[kingjust]

Don't count out the 280s then. You can insure ideal overlap at a dyno/track w/ adjustable cam gears. The question is what you want: more peak hp or a broader but lower hp curve.


??? The fp3Xs, yes, have similar accelerated ramp rates to fp3s. But they do not have more duration. The 280s have higher duration than any fp cam. The fp3Xs have similar lift to the 280s, higher ramp rate, lower duration. You should look at the fp3Xs because they work so damned well w/ strokers. The accelerated ramp rates of the fp3xs are ideal for a stroker. The fp3x will give you more power under the curve. The 280s will give you more peak power. Or to restate: The 280s give you more power at 7K and match better to a SMIM.

I am not a supporter of FP's (or HKS') inflated prices. But, I think you should grab a set of fp3xs. The extra 100 bones is worth the more streetable nature of the fp3xs. You will still have plenty of cam to go quite a bit beyond your current goal.


That's what this forum is for.

Exactly!!!

I actually did go to FP's site and compared the FP3 and FP3x. I actually noticed that the x's are faster after 135 degrees when opening and peak higher and longer. Here, I created this for your viewing pleasure. Also, i'm sold on the FP3X's!!!!

 

[1993eclipseGS]

I'm in the same spot, Brand new 2.3 stroker not installed, But I have manley springs/retainers installed. I don't know if I should get the 280's or 288's. I don't know if my springs/retainers will be enough for either of the two? I am going to buy as soon as I find out too..

Extremepsi.com has any size crower cams for like 305 or 315 and free shipping for the PAIR!

 

[dsm-onster]

280s donot have the accelerated ramprates of fp2xs/fp3s. You should be just fine at stroker peak rpms w/ manley hardware. I am not sure about the ramprate of 288s. I really feel that you'll see no gains going to 288s over 280s. Your stroker can rev but only so high.

 

[SBR Joe]

I personally would do 272's because you cant rev high enough to get the full potential of 280's with a stroker. Your safely limited to around 8 ish. Not that you cant rev it past that but i wouldnt feel comfortable. Alot of people are successful with 280's but i think it would have a slightly better power curve with the 272's.


Joe

 

[Street Surgeon]

FP3X's and call it a day

 

[eclipsegsx1736]

I had BC280s on my 2.3. Maybe I got a bad set, or maybe they were very off from the factory and needed to be degreed, but I was extremely disappointed. I had FP2s on my 2.3 before (and have them on now again, I tossed the 280s out and put my FP2s back in).

For starters, the car refused to idle well until warmed up. It would die if I didn't keep the RPMs up until it warmed up. My FP2s idle rock solid from the second I start up. Also, at low RPM the 280s would cause the car to buck like crazy and made it extremely annoying to drive below 2000 rpm, and traffic driving was horrible. Also, all the low end stroker torque was GONE with the 280s. They do NOT behave like 272's on a 2.0. The car felt like a complete slug until about 3000rpm, but even then it was worse. Not until over 4000 RPM did the car feel more like it should be.

So you're guessing that was all sacrificed for more top end? Nope.. Lost 3 lb/min peak airflow up top. Peaking 57 lb/min with the FP2s, 280s peaked around 54 if that. Put the FP2s back in and got 56-57 again.

Yes, they were installed right. Yes, base timing was at 5*. Like I said, maybe they were way off and needed to be degreed. I got rid of them and fell in love with the FP2s all over again. So much low end torque and still plenty of top end. My car is really for road racing so I want the midrange, but I do drag it as well and there's plenty of top end left in it for straight line.

 

[1993eclipseGS]

What about a car with a hx40, or a GT42 non bb on a stroker 2.3?

 

[sbr240sx]

I would go 280 and call it a day.

 

[SBR Joe]

I would go 280 and call it a day.

HMMMM! Feuding employees! 272's ftw!


Joe