What type of cam?

[m90polk]

I would like to get a nice camshaft set for my ZC DOHC blacktop engine, and was just wondering if anyone else has installed a set of cams on their DOHC ZC or B-series engine and how the vehicle performed overall, as compared to when the stock cams were installed.

 

[LS_VTEC]

Never really saw cams for non vtec make a lot of power, aside from the Toda vtec killer camshafts. As far as the cams go IF you find a set, I would only think it would make a dramatic difference if you do some port work to the head. Depending on the lift/duration of the camshaft and than following it up with tuning, you can make some decent power. But IF you plan on revving the engine high, I recommend stronger valvetrain components.

 

[m90polk]

yeah

I have been checking out JGE and they have the cams for the zc....most people I have seen say to run their 301 cam which isn't bad for the price but as far as the head I think I might send it to them to get done because for me to get the valve train kit, p&p the head,install new valve seals,multi angle valve job and resurface the head it would be cheaper for them to do it in house. I'm really just trying to get an idea of how much I need to budget and so far this is a fair price for the work and parts they have....oh yeah I'm going NA all the way

 

[m90polk]

yeah but that really isn't that bad for the amount of work thats done and the amount of time I save from running around to different places

 

[Luis998]

Good outlook. Most people consider a $1000 head job to be expensive.

Quality is something some of us (as rare as I have found) are willing to wait and pay for. Like Blanco said, great outlook.

What length of time are you giving yourself on your build?

 

[m90polk]

Well I'm planning on starting this summer around May or June, but right now I'm just trying to figure out my options and what exactly I want to get out of this project..mainly money is an issue but I'm not afraid to pay for something if I know it is worth it or if it is necessary. Because I've seen a lot of kids "build" their engines and cut some corners and their cars are fast but there is now durability or reliability with their engine.

 

[YBLEGAL]

yes, corners are fun. keep them

haha

 

[YBLEGAL]

ya good prerogative so far. you get what you pay for, and a P&P takes a real professional.

It would be superb if you could get before and after flowbench results of the head so you know what it's capable of and you know it's actually helping or not. The CFM may also give important information as to the profile of cam would be best. All that's way out of my league tho, for now.

 

[m90polk]

On the JG site they say the ZC head is awesome if you port it so I mean it may be true but its so hard to find people that have built them to back it up. But this is the only ZC that I found that seems to be a really nice build...--> Built ZC

 

[YBLEGAL]

oh i meant actual flowbench charts for YOUR head. the one that's on your motor. so you know what YOURs can do and if the shop did an adequate job

 

[m90polk]

oh i meant actual flowbench charts for YOUR head. the one that's on your motor. so you know what YOURs can do and if the shop did an adequate job

I know what you saying but it would kind of suck to read the before and after to see little or no change and just have spent some serious money...it's not that I wouldn't like to know so I could recommend or not recommend it to others but theoretically it's supposed to be worth it and help the engine overall so thats what I'm banking on.

 

[m90polk]

You're having trouble finding built ZC's because there is very little aftermarket support and what is there tends to be expensive...like $1k in head work.

I've noticed that from the time I swapped it in my car and started to look for after market parts, only a few companies are specializing in that engine and most that used to just got away from it. But I know mabey one kid that I've meet thats had a ZC and I guess thats why I'm sticking with it because very few kids actually have them and everyones first impression when they see it is "Oh you got an LS" "no it's a ZC" "Whats a ZC"...so I like being different.^_^

 

[97hatch]

dude just boost the ZC they are strong and you will make more power and have a much easier build. I helped boost a friends ZC and we made 340 at the tires with i big16g off a dsm and a cheep manifold with the stock wastegate and a dsm blowoff valve. that was on 23lbs. and a conservitive tune on 93 octane. they love the boost.

 

[LS_VTEC]

dude just boost the ZC they are strong and you will make more power and have a much easier build. I helped boost a friends ZC and we made 340 at the tires with i big16g off a dsm and a cheep manifold with the stock wastegate and a dsm blowoff valve. that was on 23lbs. and a conservitive tune on 93 octane. they love the boost.

How long did that engine last? Not to burst anyone's bubble here, but I do not see a 16g making 340whp on a ZC engine. Aren't those 16g's peaked at like 18-20psi?

 

[97hatch]

still running for about a year now yes he is pushing the turbo a little hard and the rods and well just about every thing but it is still holding up just fine its starting to get a lil bit of blowby we did a CLT test on it about a month ago and it had 11% leakage when cold im sure at temp with oil on the rings it would be better

 

[97hatch]

its got about 8k on it he dosent drive the shit out of it all the time but he does drive it hard. yes he is pushing the limits of a d but we expect it to blow you can still make 250-275 for a dd and it should last

 

[97hatch]

ok your right im wrong ( there is no boost controller. I posted the block. and i dont think that power melts pistons lean conditions do and improper timing will break them to pieces.)

 

[K2e2vin]

Actually with stock D-series pistons, it's quite common to see the top ring lands break when pushing a lot of power; which is why there's people going with Vitara pistons.

 

[m90polk]

97hatch
dude just boost the ZC they are strong and you will make more power and have a much easier build. I helped boost a friends ZC and we made 340 at the tires with i big16g off a dsm and a cheep manifold with the stock wastegate and a dsm blowoff valve. that was on 23lbs. and a conservitive tune on 93 octane. they love the boost.

I'm not going to run turbo because it is a daily driver and I need it to be reliable and don't want it to a point where I'm worried of just driving it because a rod might go through the block....I'm looking for practical not impossible.

 

[LudeBoy]

thezcr.com Your best bet for ZC info. I am building a 2nd gen ZC (obd1). I plan on putting a mild set of turbo cams in it and running 6lbs. Hopefully with a good tune I can make 160 or so at the wheels and still be fairly reliable.