Turbo cams vs regular?

[adamhoud]

So what really is the difference, like I see BC makes turbo and non turbo cams for most cars, they are the same price.

[reaper702]

Originally Posted by adamhoud

So what really is the difference, like I see BC makes turbo and non turbo cams for most cars, they are the same price.

my guess is the turbo cams are tuned and set up specifically for turbo boosted applications to take advantage of the boost versus the n/a cams.

[projectprelude]

i think the turbo cam will allow you to run a lower comp. and the other will make for higher comp? thats what i would say(without really knowing)

[Dessa_8837]

I have no idea.

I'm guessing it has something to do with compression?!

ShayneD.

[reaper702]

Originally Posted by projectprelude

i think the turbo cam will allow you to run a lower comp. and the other will make for higher comp? thats what i would say(without really knowing)

no the cams have nothing to do with compression. pistons have to do with compression.

[jboogie183]

I think the difference is that the NA cams don't have as big of an intake and exhaust lobe as the turbo cams.

Boost equals more air coming in and going out.

Then again, the only thing I know about cams is that you need them for the car to run:)

[mfinlay04]

two words... Lift & duration

[mfinlay04]

Turbo cams let in more air sooner to help with the boost.

[mfinlay04]

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/camshaft.htm

good site... anything you ever wanted to know just look here first

[sickyute]

save ur money ...
get regular cams ...

time and time again i see dynos where regular cams outperform FI cams ... i rarely see otherwise.

[incideagent]

the turbo cam is prob not as much of a radical desgin, the n/a cam is prob. more radical, turbo's dont like a radical setup. -kris

[gesundlich]

Turbo cams typically have less overlap. Basically, a turbo cam is set up to maximize cylinder filling (by raising the intake valve lift/duration which allows more compressed intake air into the cylinder). This is done my ensuring the exhaust valve is closed/or almost closed on the intake stroke of the piston. If the cam allowed for significant overlap (i.e. exhaust valve open during the intake stroke), the pressurized air would simply go right out the exhaust valve, as it is under positive pressure, and not vacuum (like it is in a non-forced induction motor).

On non-forced induction engines, overlap is commonly employed to take advantage of "cylinder scavening". Basically, when the intake stroke begins, the exhaust valve is held open which allows some of the intake charge to be "vacuumed" out of the exhaust port by the exiting, combusted gases. This actually helps optimize cylider filling (at the expense of increased pollution which is why car manufacturers don't do this and why aftermarket cams typically increase power and make your car fail emissions).

Of course, ignition and exhaust cam timing/advance/retard factor heavily into the equation, too. Custom tuning MUST be done in order to maximize the gains of a specific cam.

Cams have nothing to do with compression. That's determined by the piston crowns and combustion chamber volume.

[jboogie183]

Originally Posted by gesundlich

Turbo cams typically have less overlap. Basically, a turbo cam is set up to maximize cylinder filling (by raising the intake valve lift/duration which allows more compressed intake air into the cylinder). This is done my ensuring the exhaust valve is closed/or almost closed on the intake stroke of the piston. If the cam allowed for significant overlap (i.e. exhaust valve open during the intake stroke), the pressurized air would simply go right out the exhaust valve, as it is under positive pressure, and not vacuum (like it is in a non-forced induction motor).

On non-forced induction engines, overlap is commonly employed to take advantage of "cylinder scavening". Basically, when the intake stroke begins, the exhaust valve is held open which allows some of the intake charge to be "vacuumed" out of the exhaust port by the exiting, combusted gases. This actually helps optimize cylider filling (at the expense of increased pollution which is why car manufacturers don't do this and why aftermarket cams typically increase power and make your car fail emissions).

Of course, ignition and exhaust cam timing/advance/retard factor heavily into the equation, too. Custom tuning MUST be done in order to maximize the gains of a specific cam.

Cams have nothing to do with compression. That's determined by the piston crowns and combustion chamber volume.

That's what I meant to say...

...I'm so full of shit!

[thoughtshewas18]

so running I/H/E and N/A cams how will my car run? Along with a reflash/tune... I want it to be fast but not too obnoxious :) Would cams be worth the $?

[604_ep3]

The most important issue with FI cam would be overlap in the profiles. In higher boost applications if you have too much overlap you'll actually blow your intake charge right out the exhaust valves. No really a concern in lower boost applications.

[gesundlich]

Originally Posted by thoughtshewas18

so running I/H/E and N/A cams how will my car run? Along with a reflash/tune... I want it to be fast but not too obnoxious :) Would cams be worth the $?

Definitely worth it, if you're going to stay NA. However, there is currently no way to custom tune the K20Z3 for aftermarket cams or turbo kits (besides some 'off the shelf' Hondata tunes). The K-pro for the Si has not been released yet.

One thing to consider is how radical a cam you want to go with. The higher lift/duration cams (aka "race" cams) currently available for the K series (K20A3) engine will require upgraded valvetrain components, namely springs and retainers. These radical cams will usually give you the "lumpy" idle and may require increasing idle speed so your car doesn't die when coming to a stop. There are frequently issues with vacuum at idle, too, due to the increased overlap.

The lower lift/duration cams (aka "street" cams) can SOMETIMES keep stock valvetrain (although it would probably be easier just to replace the springs/retainers at the same time).

[06civictx]

you know on some applications you have to take out the ivtec system if anybody didnt know that