If I get new cams is it smart to do gears

[zeekster777]

I have a 1998 GSX, I am going to get some cams. Some one said I should do gears at the same time. Is this true?

 

[viperlp01]

Well if you feel up to degreeing the cams then yes I would suggest cam gears but if your not interested in degreeing the cam in perfectly and spending the time and extra money into the job then just run the stock gears.

 

[zeekster777]

Well if you feel up to degreeing the cams then yes I would suggest cam gears but if your not interested in degreeing the cam in perfectly and spending the time and extra money into the job then just run the stock gears.

It sounds like its going to take some time to degree the cams. But it should be done if I want it to run better.

 

[Pyro13]

If you really (and I mean really) need the couple of extra HP that degreeing will yield, than yes adj. cam gears would be a good idea. Understand though, degreeing is not as simple as: "If I adjust +3* I'll make more power"... It involves using a degree wheel to find the true centerline of your cams and adjusting accordingly. If you don't NEED the extra couple HP then the added complexity, cost, and adjustment (adj. cam gears tend to slip over time) will be a waste of time and money. To put it simply: Daily Driver= No, Track Ride= Yes.

But thats just my 2 cents.

 

[knochgoon24]

To properly use adjustable cam gears, you need to:
-Find the 0° setting for your car. This requires using solid lifters and a degree wheel.
-Then from there, know what moving each cam actually does. (Read).
-Finally, you'll have to actually adjust the cam gears, do a pull, adjust again, etc. until you get the desired results.
-If you're going to be adjusting them to the extreme (for some reason) you'll probably also want to clay to find valve clearances.


Or you can do what 90% of people seem to do, and that's install the cams straight up on their pretty new cam gears. It does add some bling to the engine bay.

 

[zeekster777]

To properly use adjustable cam gears, you need to:
-Find the 0° setting for your car. This requires using solid lifters and a degree wheel.
-Then from there, know what moving each cam actually does. (Read).
-Finally, you'll have to actually adjust the cam gears, do a pull, adjust again, etc. until you get the desired results.
-If you're going to be adjusting them to the extreme (for some reason) you'll probably also want to clay to find valve clearances.


Or you can do what 90% of people seem to do, and that's install the cams straight up on their pretty new cam gears. It does add some bling to the engine bay.

I like the sound of the bling to the engine bay, and this will not be my DD. I would like the option of being able to dial the cams in. So its really a win win, but some one said they get loose over time. That I do not like.

 

[agarc023]

What about powdercoating the inside part of the stock gears then? You get the bling and don't have to mess with adjustables

 

[unisonicz]

If you plan on this being a weekend/track car and trying to max it out, I would do cams and cam gears all at once. Then when you are ready to degree them they are already on there. That is my .02¢

Kyle

 

[Absit]

I can promise you, if you have to ask about cam gears, you'll never use them. 99.9% of people that have them never use them.

 

[bomper04]

To properly use adjustable cam gears, you need to:
-Find the 0° setting for your car. This requires using solid lifters and a degree wheel.
-Then from there, know what moving each cam actually does. (Read).
-Finally, you'll have to actually adjust the cam gears, do a pull, adjust again, etc. until you get the desired results.
-If you're going to be adjusting them to the extreme (for some reason) you'll probably also want to clay to find valve clearances.


Or you can do what 90% of people seem to do, and that's install the cams straight up on their pretty new cam gears. It does add some bling to the engine bay.

Just an addition to your post, by no means correcting you, but you also have the option of shimming your hydraulic lifters. Although they may not be as
"accurate" as using jam nut type lifters, they can get you in the ballpark around
.001" granted your dial indicator is mounted on correctly, etc.

 

[viperlp01]

I would say closer to 10% actually use them correctly and 20% adjust them blindly and then the last 70% do it for show.

 

[907gs-t]

When I get new cam's I will also be getting new adjustable cam gears no doubt to install as a package.

 

[Paching]

I like the sound of the bling to the engine bay, and this will not be my DD. I would like the option of being able to dial the cams in. So its really a win win, but some one said they get loose over time. That I do not like.

Bling is always good, I've had them for 5 years and haven't needed to re-tighten them