Upgrading cams to Piper Fast Road cams on my 8v

[matty1664]

Hi all, I'm contemplating upgrading the cams and just wondering what your thoughts were or if anyone here has experience of it.

My Golf is a 1991 mk2 8v GTi with 116,500 miles on the clock and pushes out 108bhp (out of the original 112bhp). The engine runs great and the car drives really well, however I have it in my head that I want more power and I don't want to shell out for an engine swap to an ABF or 1.8t etc, I just want to make the most of what I have got.

If I go ahead with the upgrade will I need to upgrade any other parts first? I wasn't sure if it was best to upgrade the exhaust and manifold beforehand (and in which case what exhaust?). Also would a remap be vital for the cams to work properly?

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

Matt

[Sgt_Lemon]

I put fast road cams in conjunction with a polished and ported head and 4-1 manifold. The difference in power was huge, the car will max out the speedo and keep on pulling.

[matty1664]

I put fast road cams in conjunction with a polished and ported head and 4-1 manifold. The difference in power was huge, the car will max out the speedo and keep on pulling.

Cool, that's encouraging! I'm pretty set on doing it. What order should I do things? The golf is totally standard at the mo (apart from wheels and 30mm lowering springs). I probably can't afford to get it to the same level as yours in one hit so would have to do it bit my bit and still use it every now and then.

Are you able to suggest parts?

Do you know roughly how much power you get now? Is your exhaust OEM still?

Cheers

[Sgt_Lemon]

I managed to get a bargain and got the head with cam and exhaust for £300 all in and just did the work myself. Not sure what the current bhp is as I have never got it on a rolling road. It must be significantly higher than standard to max put the speedo with relative ease. The car had a standard exhaust replacement (earnst) but I removed the centre silencer. If possible try to get the head and cam simultaneously to get the real benefits from both. If you wanted performance in the mean time putting on some Good tyres will make a huge difference. My head is a TSR P&P and kent cams. The manifold looks like a eBay job with a power-flow stamp on it if I recall.

[matty1664]

thanks for your reply, I have Yokohama S drives all round which are great tyres. I'm thinking of going for a stainless steel manifold and jetex exhaust to start with. Then later I will probably go for cams and head in one go. Do you think that would work/be a good idea?

[Sgt_Lemon]

The exhaust might free up a tiny bit of power but it will sound fast and that's half the sensation. I would say its worth it.

[matty1664]

The exhaust might free up a tiny bit of power but it will sound fast and that's half the sensation. I would say its worth it.

yeah I reckon I will definitely go with that for now. I have ordered a K&N panel filter to replace the standard one in my air box. All combined it should sound better and release a bit of power like you said. On the rolling road at TSR my car was making 108bhp so after these mods I will hopefully be back up to full power again.