FP vs HKS cams

[LadyTSi]

Ok people, as you all know I am NOT that car techy when it comes to certain things .....

I have been reading up on the FP cams and what I have read they are as good as the HKS, being the HKS are not as available and the price being higher than the FPs

With the setup me and Jerry would like to go with, we want to do 50 trim, Big FMIC, CAMS, VPC

So for all dsmer's what is your opinion on the fp cam 2's???? Vs HKS??

[awdlaserbeam]

If it were my car i would probably do 264/272 for the purpose of driveability. Many people have run the smaller setup and switched to the 272's and swear by it.
If you dont mind the lumpy idle and are not driving it everyday i would go 272's if that is your goal. If you are just looking gain a little power and still want a street car go with the 264 combo....

[TalonTsi97]

I say go with the HKS's. From what i reasearched they are more of a drop in cam and they dont need adjustable cam gears. The Fp's i have read are in more of a need to be adjusted so just because the price of the fp's is lower it looks like you will have to buy gears as well.
If you search enough you can find the hks combo for a reasonable price.
As far as 264/272 or whatever combo your are looking at, im not to sure what to tell you. I have 264/272's but i havent installed them yet, but with me being fwd and looking for all top end i sometimes wish i bought both 272's but at the deal i got mine at i couldnt pass it up.
I hope that helps you somewhat but im sure some of the smarter dsm'rs will post there opinions because all of the ones i know on the site have cams.

[95nracer]

We want to avoid adjustable cam gears if possible. I've read around and I've seen that people have been able to drop in FP2's without having to use cam gears. Of course there is cases that I run into that they used adjustable cam gears on them and less threads about people using them on the HKS units. I also understand and from what I've read around to get the full potential of the cams is to use adjustable cam gears, but I don't want the chance of them falling apart or something going loose and wrecking the motor.

I'm still very new to DSM's and I'm learning as I go. I'm more than likely going with the HKS units, but I like to explore other options and I like to hear different opinions on what to use because everybody has there own style of tuning and building.


We plan on using the 272 combo. Just because knowing Allie and I we will probably would've gone with the combo later. Thats why I want to go with the 50 trim. Now deciding what 50trim and wastegate configuration to run is a different story.

[peteyturbo]

Just FYI. HKS VPC and cams don't jive too well, you will stall out ocasionally...The VPC needs to see more vacum..

[TalonTsi97]

Here are some links to stuff i read when i was searching for cams:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=208376&page=2&highlight=fp+cams
http://www.automotosports.com/cam_test.asp
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=107397&page=4&pp=25&highlight=cam+alternatives

[koho2731]

http://www.ffwdconnection.com/cams.shtml Ck out them it's 350 for both cams they are regrinds. I'd go the 272/272 combo. With the larger turbo you will make more power on the top end, but you loose the low end torque.

[95nracer]

Just FYI. HKS VPC and cams don't jive too well, you will stall out ocasionally...The VPC needs to see more vacum..


Are you talking about off throttle decel or trying to idle? Would a vac canistor/reservoir help with that?

[95nracer]

http://www.ffwdconnection.com/cams.shtml Ck out them it's 350 for both cams they are regrinds. I'd go the 272/272 combo. With the larger turbo you will make more power on the top end, but you loose the low end torque.


Those look interesting. Are you running these now or do you know someone that is running them at the current moment or have you helped install a set?

I'll do more reading on them now.




Edit: I should have Allie change the poll and ad what do you recomend.

[koho2731]

Those look interesting. Are you running these now or do you know someone that is running them at the current moment or have you helped install a set?

I'll do more reading on them now.




Edit: I should have Allie change the poll and ad what do you recomend.
My buddy has them in his Lazer right now. He has had them all most a year a no problems at all. Regrinds aren't that bad if they are done right. Also I'm going to get the 272/272 combo at some point. I wanted to do them with the timing belt, but I don't have enough fund right now :cry:

[awdlaserbeam]

We want to avoid adjustable cam gears if possible. .

Why do you say that. How is electrically changing the timing better than mechanically adjusting????

[95nracer]

Why do you say that. How is electrically changing the timing better than mechanically adjusting????


I'm just worried about having them fall apart or having them come out of adjustment.

[SpendOne]

Ok heres my opinion on teh whole subject. I have had HKS's and FP's. I had HKS 264/272 in the car and had no issues at all. At 4k it felt as if the car had a breath of extra air. That was on my 14b setup all teh way to my 20g.

Currently on my car are the FP2's, I went this route b/c I was going to run a bigger turbo which would push more air which would help with the higher lifts. I personally would recomend the 264/272 or the 272/272 setup.

[2point4DSM]

Just FYI. HKS VPC and cams don't jive too well, you will stall out ocasionally...The VPC needs to see more vacum..

I use to have a VPC with HKS 272s with a lightened stock flywheel on a 2.0/FP Green setup. Then I went with the 2.4/FP Red and fidanza flywheel. I never had a problem with the car stalling out.

It really has a lot to do with making sure there are no vacuum leaks, boost leaks, and setting the fuel, timing and idle right.

I've read around and I've seen that people have been able to drop in FP2's without having to use cam gears.

This is true. I have FP cams now and set the adjustable cam gears to stock right now. The car still runs fine. My buddy also put FP2 cams on his car and just got it dyno tuned at turbotrix. With a 2.0/FP Green he made 10whp less than I did with HKS 264/272s and a car that is pretty much setup like my old setup.

I've also talked to FP and they assured me before I bought them that I you could drop the cam gears in and go... BUT they have had customers gain up to 60whp by degreeing their adjustable cam gears. So, FP cams might make more power than HKS cams but only after you degree them.

I would recommend HKS cams. They are tried and true. No need for adjustable cam gears. They are pretty close to perfect. The only reason I went with FP cams is cause they have a set that is designed for strokers. Not to mention, the head has been cut several times, the headgasket is thicker than stock, the block is 6mm taller, etc... I needed adjustable cams gears anyway, even with the HKS cams.

http://www.ffwdconnection.com/cams.shtml Ck out them it's 350 for both cams they are regrinds.

Our CAMs have a thin hardened nitride layer. Regrinds take that layer off and the cams wear faster. Even if the hardened layer can be reapplied the cams are prone to cracking especially with heavier valve springs.

I've only heard of problems with regrinds. Not sure if this has been solved but none of the fast guys I know will go near them and risk losing a turbo and motor.

[2point4DSM]

Are you talking about off throttle decel or trying to idle? Would a vac canistor/reservoir help with that?

My vac canistor/reservoir is a faily new addition and is used for my brake booster and not to help with idle.

[SexyDSM95]

FP2's, smoother idle and a lot less cost wise. With HKS you are mainly paying for the name.

[95nracer]

Thanks for the comments/opinions. I'll keep doing my reading and hopefully decide something in the next couple of months.

[olsookie]

the price of hks cams just got jacked up AGAIN!

Comp Cams(think these are FP'd brand) or check out gsc...