What cam do you suggest?

[ryan_george]

I've been thinking about upgrading my cam for a while now, so I thought I'd get some input as to what some of you have done.

Here's what I've found so far:

BMP Design: $450
IE: $499 (Schrick)
RaceTEP: $359
Flying Brick: $368 (CatCam)

It's for a daily driver, so the idle can't be horrible, but I can deal with a bit of roughness.

I'd also like some input as to what duration and separation numbers I should be looking for on the m20b25.

I've already emailed Steve from RaceTEP and he said the following:

You only want to use our 274 grind for the M20 engine...It will give excellent street performance and good idle quality.

Although from what I've read here, most of you say that the 274 is a barely noticeable upgrade. I tried emailing BMP about their suggestion, but I never heard back.

Thanks.

[nando]

shrick or catcam. stay away from regrinds (ie racetep). also, I wouldn't go with anything less than a 284, it will idle just fine and make a bigger difference than a 274. a dual pattern is even better, my idle is pretty smooth with the 284/272, and I love the way it lopes. I kinda wish I'd have gone with a 288 or more, but I know I would have regretted a 274.

[ryan_george]

shrick or catcam. stay away from regrinds (ie racetep). also, I wouldn't go with anything less than a 284, it will idle just fine and make a bigger difference than a 274. a dual pattern is even better, my idle is pretty smooth with the 284/272, and I love the way it lopes. I kinda wish I'd have gone with a 288 or more, but I know I would have regretted a 274.

Thanks for that.

The ones from racetep are new grinds, not regrinds.

So would say Catcam's 283/283 would be a reasonable buy?

http://flyingbrickperformance.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_38&products_id=196

Apart from new rocker arms, what else is recommended when upgrading a cam?

[nando]

by new grinds they really mean they take a new cam and grind it down. I thought so too but when I got mine it was pretty obviously not the same. you get what you pay for..

[bimmer8604]

im not a fan of schrick cams. i had mine snap on me, and ive heard a few other people with similar problems.

I have a 272 IE Regrind right now, and the power isnt terribly different. My old car put down 150 at the wheels with the 272 schrick. I would def. go with somethinglike a 282. my friend had a 282, and the idle was def. lopey, but nothing too major. now if this was your DD That you only drove to work/school, it might get old(especially cold starts) but if you take your car out on weekends to go have fun, then do it.

Kyle

[nando]

I would say if your cam broke then it was either damaged or put in wrong. if they are dropped etc. it can stress it enough that it will eventually break, that's not something specific to shrick.

[MrK]

I speak from first hand experience that it's probably best to stay below the 300s when buying a cam. I opted for a Schrick 304, and the car gurgles like a 60's muscles car and jitters while idling, so this is NOT suitable as a DD. Anything around 284 to 288 would probably be a perfect compromise.

Oh, and don't forget to replace your valvesprings if they're old, and consider performance valve springs if you're getting something above 288.

[ryan_george]

Well I've spoken with Daniel at FlyingBrick at he has suggested the 283. I'll probably be getting around to this soon...

[EtaSport]

check fourseasonstuning.com or something along those lines. They have the catcams 283 for 257+ shipping. I am going this route with my upcoming b25 build. I had a reground 274 and got better performance from my standard i cam.

[PУCCKAЯ_e30ka]

you have any mods w/ your intake? I don't think that it will make difference if you have everything stock.... except chip... if I'd change my cam, I'd prolly match the ports, bigger t-body, m30afm/MAF conv. and slap a chip in there to actually get the hp closer to factory spec.

[ryan_george]

check fourseasonstuning.com or something along those lines. They have the catcams 283 for 257+ shipping. I am going this route with my upcoming b25 build. I had a reground 274 and got better performance from my standard i cam.

Their website is Audi and VW only...

[2002maniac]

Can someone explain what is so wrong with regrinds? I have used reground cam's in 3 different motors with no problems at all. I think if it is done properly there is nothing to worry about.

[EtaSport]

Their website is Audi and VW only...

go to the website and type in this part number in the search box: 1300527

its still there

[ryan_george]

go to the website and type in this part number in the search box: 1300527

its still there

Thanks for the heads-up.

I just got off the phone with the guy there, and he says they don't stock them, but do have easy access to them. He was unsure of the price, but hopefully the one on the site is correct.

[EtaSport]

Yea i saw that it takes awhile to order, so i figured they had to order them. Let me know if you find out about that price. Im hoping its the same too.