What are the best cams to purchase in terms of rwhp gains, I am thinking about doing topspeed headers, crawford cast plenum, test pipes, Injen SES, a TS reflash, and some cams, I'm just not sure which ones to consider

 

I also realize that to see the best gains from cams I need to get headers and a plenum, however if i were to just get the cams what gains could I expect to see?

 

a lot depends on whether you're going to use FI or not, whether you plan on doing other head work, how lopey you're willing to let your idle get and what you're going to use the car for (i.e. what rpm band is your driving going to focus on?)

once you can answer those questions, you can start narrowing down the field...

 

nismo cams seem to be the most reliable out there. JWT are also nice.
there really aren't too many selections for cams here.

you can also order cam blanks from us, and have them custom ground at a shop for you to match your specific application

 

I've heard that Tomei cams work really well. I know that I will more than likely go with these when the time comes

 

JWT cams distribute the increased HP in the upper ranges (4500 RPM - up) with a very slight loss down low (for that "explosion" of power up high - as per Jason's description) .....while the Nismo cams distribute HP increase equally from low to high end (for a more subtle hp increase-feel throughout power band).

As for how "reliable" the Nismo vs. JWT's are (???)......unless you know something I don't Tony, the only reliability concern between Nismo cams & JWT cams lies in the installation process - they are both quality pieces IMO. It is also said that if you have an ECU reflash that has your redline at 7100 rpm's & you hit 7100 regularly, while the engine is apart for the cams already it might be a wise idea to change out the springs & shims for less chance of floating - not really neccessary, but wouldn't hurt.......

 

I was thinking of going with the JWT with springs and shims, you think I could expect about 10-15rwhp from the cams with other bolt ons? I am basically making an attempt at the 300 rwhp mark w/ bolt ons and cams

 

I would like the car to have a smooth idle and as of right now I do not plan on having an FI application, where the power is made is not too much of a concern to me, I want the best cams available with the best drivability

 

you might like the nismo cams better

 

Nismo, JWT, both designed and made by the same guy, Jim Wolf...

JWT cams have a slight improvement and more HP gain than the Nismo. You'll need to bump your idle rpms to 850rmp for a super smooth idle...

On the dyno, we gain over 18hp and 20trq... We did have Borla headers, RT Cats, and Borla exhaust...

The Nismo do give you a few more ponies below 2500rpm, but the JWT given you the same midrange and a few more ponies up top... Below 2500rpms you're not racing, you're cruising...

 

nismo cams are not made by jim wolf. they are made and designed by nismo/nissan in japan.
JWT are basically copies of the nismo cams, with subtle differences in the grind

 

I believe the JWT cams are advertised at 16+ RWHP on a stock 350z. I think with a TS reflash the JWT are gonna give some pretty stout numbers, closer to 25 RWHP at around 6500 or so RPM's on an otherwise stock 350z. Just my educated guess considering the numbers. You do lose a bit below 4000 RPM's but once again with the TS ECU you will gain the low end torque back and then some. Nismo has some "new" S1 cams which come with springs and retainers that Performance Nissan told me (over the phone) will produce gains higher than the JWT. Not sure on these, but I was also told you HAVE to retune the ECU to use them - maybe just bump the idle.

 

Cams appear to be one of the decent mods for the Z. But, how driveable are the Tomei, Nismo, JWT cams ? Are they very "lopey" ?

Will I hate the car when it comes to around town driving and short trips?

How much $ also ?

 

the cams for the Z out here are not going to make the car "loppy" but you may need some help on tuning depending on the year of your ecu. you will need to bump up the base idle.

 

Screw driveability. "Lopey" is dope!

 

Its an 03. Is there a TS reflash that works ?

How much for the various cams (ballpark) $$$ + installation?

 

I don't believe you have your facts correct - We'll just have to agree to disagree...

I can name a half dozen products that Nismo claims they designed and make but are just COPIES of other products.

.02

 

very true, but i don't think they were made by anyone else. maybe JWT had somthing to do with the design etc...?
the nismo cams from japan are straight nismo, all the way. the cams we get here in the states are not the same, so I can understand that viewpoint.
regardless they are still subtle differences between the two....

 

Tony,

I think you have cleared up our differences.. It's painfully obvious that NISMO Japan and NISMO USA are not the same products... I could never understand why that happens... ?

I have on hand experience with both cams, NISMO JAPAN, and JWT - and they're substantially similar but not the same. What the JWT give up way down low, it gains over the NISMO up top - both have almost identical gains in the midrange...

 

didn't JWT design the cams, and Nismo manufacturers them in japan?