GolfGTIforum.co.uk

Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: davemk4 on 20 October 2013, 17:23

Title: whys no one use aftermarket cams on a 1.8t?
Post by: davemk4 on 20 October 2013, 17:23
even though i have no interest in messing with my cams. ive yet to see a member with aftermarket cams? how come as for sake of fitting them you get good gains? wouldnt this be good to do for stage 2?
Title: Re: whys no one use aftermarket cams on a 1.8t?
Post by: VW BUSH on 20 October 2013, 17:45
Pair of cams £450? BHP gain 20? (if your lucky)
Remap £450? Gain 50bhp?
Title: Re: whys no one use aftermarket cams on a 1.8t?
Post by: davemk4 on 20 October 2013, 17:56
Pair of cams £450? BHP gain 20? (if your lucky)
Remap £450? Gain 50bhp?

ye but if you were wanting as much power as possible without maybe changing turbo and the extras needed. this would mean a big power stage 2 remap at a guess?
Title: Re: whys no one use aftermarket cams on a 1.8t?
Post by: Gti_Jamo on 20 October 2013, 18:06
They can be a bit of a false economy with modern forced induction engines.
Title: Re: whys no one use aftermarket cams on a 1.8t?
Post by: Adam on 20 October 2013, 18:29
NA 1.8 20V cams giv good gains don't they?
Title: Re: whys no one use aftermarket cams on a 1.8t?
Post by: gazareth on 20 October 2013, 19:08
you can get massive power gains on turbo engines before you have to consider a cam swap.
Title: Re: whys no one use aftermarket cams on a 1.8t?
Post by: golfyste on 20 October 2013, 20:36
From what I have gathered the isn't much to be gained from cam swaps on 1.8t's.
Prawn did the 1.8n/a cam swap on his and the gains were debatable as he gained a tiny amount in one part of the rev range but lost it in another.

I'm still waiting to be convinced its worth the effort!
Title: Re: whys no one use aftermarket cams on a 1.8t?
Post by: davemk4 on 20 October 2013, 21:05
They quote 15bhp + on cam websites iirc.
Title: Re: whys no one use aftermarket cams on a 1.8t?
Post by: golfyste on 20 October 2013, 21:07
Any actual evidence though using back to back dyno runs?

I've also seen manifolds and exhausts that quote "upto +20bhp" etc
Title: Re: whys no one use aftermarket cams on a 1.8t?
Post by: mrsaunders on 21 October 2013, 11:33
Aren't the turbos limited to around 230-250 max, so where would you fit this extra (debatable 20bhp)
Title: Re: whys no one use aftermarket cams on a 1.8t?
Post by: golfyste on 21 October 2013, 11:56
Depends what turbo you have fitted  :wink:  :grin:
But tbf I'm guessing the advertised "+15bhp" doesn't state weather it's on a standard car or a 400bhp setup??
Either way there's many other things you can do that are cheaper and get you more power and driveability.
Title: Re: whys no one use aftermarket cams on a 1.8t?
Post by: mrsaunders on 21 October 2013, 12:06
Depends what turbo you have fitted  :wink:  :grin:
But tbf I'm guessing the advertised "+15bhp" doesn't state weather it's on a standard car or a 400bhp setup??
Either way there's many other things you can do that are cheaper and get you more power and driveability.

Yeah true, and I was talking standard ko3s, I wouldn't waste my time on cams, I'd rather spend the money on wmi kit :smiley: assuming all the other normal mods have already been done
Title: Re: whys no one use aftermarket cams on a 1.8t?
Post by: Ben@VWH on 21 October 2013, 12:10
From what I have gathered the isn't much to be gained from cam swaps on 1.8t's.
Prawn did the 1.8n/a cam swap on his and the gains were debatable as he gained a tiny amount in one part of the rev range but lost it in another.

I'm still waiting to be convinced its worth the effort!

It was me who did the swap and dyno testing on prawns car. It made the same bhp and dropped the boost by 2psi. Not really worth the effort involved.
There's been more recent development into harder exhaust springs as there is suspician that pre turbine exhaust pressure could be floating the valves on high boost applications.

Either of those things aren't really relevant the south side of 300bhp though.  :smiley:
Title: Re: whys no one use aftermarket cams on a 1.8t?
Post by: golfyste on 21 October 2013, 12:18
Cheers Ben!
I remember it being mentioned it's not really worth it  :laugh:
Hmm will keep my eyes and ears open for new on that then cheers  :smiley: