Cam Timing

[tyler]

Hello,

I will soon be replacing my stock head and can with Boport products. I have read about both the ebar and string method to set cam timing. Which is reccomended? I do not have an adjustable cam pulley. What will i need to perfrom the reccomend process?

Thank you!

[Stinger]

With an aftermarket cam an adjustable cam gear is basically required. We offer them on our site for this reason.

As an example, the 2.5 cam we installed in a customer car was best at 8 degrees advanced so power peak was at 6500 rpm and torque was good down low. When installed "straight up" with no adjustable gear, the peak was about 1000 rpm higher and torque was significantly lower. Cam timing can't be adjusted without an adjustable gear as each tooth on the belt is 19.5 degrees, way more than you could ever use for adjustment.

E-bar is for setting cam timing accurately and finding true "0 deg" with the adjustable cam gear. The string method is for a different process (getting the cam gear/timing belt on the right tooth).

[tyler]

Sounds good, i will get the adjustable pulley. What is the process? First set the engine to tdc, then remove timing cover, belts and pulleys, then remove old head. Are there any adjustments i need to make to the new head before i put it in place?

[xr2300]

Will the head be assembled? If it is, everything is pretty much reverse order.

[tyler]

Yes it will be assembled before i put it in place. Is there a certain place in rotation the camshaft needs to be before i put the new head on?

[Stinger]

You get the engine to TDC (true TDC measured with micrometer or piston stop, not just TDC on the factory crank timing pointer, then mark on the pointer where it is compared to the stock TDC mark, or use our adjustable pointer to set TDC), then remove the head/belts/etc. Use the e-bar method to set cam timing to level side to side (0 deg), install belt and adjust cam gear so teeth line up (so cam gear moves rather than the cam). Then finish putting it all back together. Rotate the engine over by hand with a socket on the crank pulley bolt and re-check that everything is still lined up.