SOHC cam gear setting shits.
 

I bought this Golden Eagle cam gear because a) it was a group buy and cheap, b) cuz I'm going to end up milling my head something fierce to get it flat, and c) cuz we all know cam gear on SOHC=VTEC power.

Anyway, I have no real need to ---- with the settings right now, but I'm a tinkerer without a way to measure changes currently. Is there a certain change I can make to increase lower end torque? Searched up and down, and I found the effects of tightening/widening LSA, but I can't find anything about the effects of advancing or retarding cam timing in synch, even on DOHC cars. Any pointers?

Re: SOHC cam gear setting shits.
 

i have some DIY gear adjustments i posted up on other forums here is what they are

1.Advancing both gears: will increses bottome end while decreasing top end because it closes the exhaust valve sooner and opens the intake valves and moves the whole overlap period earlier to aid in scavenging better in the low rpm

2.Retard both cams: will increasetop end power while you will lose power in the bottom range as it moves the overlap period later where it will be better for scavengin gin the upper rpm's

3.Advance intake only: will increase overlap and starts the overlap period earlier. this does wonders for low-mid range power without hurting too much on the top end.

4.Retard intake only:starts the overlap period later and in turn helps topend power while hurting low-midrange power(more for big duration cam motors)

5.Advance exahust cam only: will reduce overlap and will increase blowdown by opening the exhaust valve sooner. (not the best option because it shortens the power stroke)

6. Retard exhaust cam only:increases overlap and helps bottom and midrange power(works best for stock heads or heads that flow poorly)

above information curtesy of Mike kojima

Re: SOHC cam gear setting shits.
 

So would 2 or 3 degrees of valve timing advance be alright for torque production? Would I be in any danger of piston-to-valve contact? And how badly of a hit would top end take?

Re: SOHC cam gear setting shits.
 

2-4* is pretty basic any more than 6* and you going to contact valves.. its better to test these on a dyno so youll know exactly where the powerband starts and stops but you can do these basic adjustments to +/- 4* tops and see which you like better..