I know for the last two years everyone has stated in numerous threads that the JWT and NISMO cams are the best for FI. Everytime I open a a car magazine all the BIG horsepower 4g63's and 2jz are running 272 degree cams.
Does anyone know why the Z is better with the 260-262 degree cams when there are 272's available?

 

There are 272's available? I'm planning on using 268's. I want low range torque and that is what I was recommended.

I just think there aren't too many people using the higher degree cams so there is a lack of information.

 

i thought the idea with FI was to have the intake and exhaust durations as close together as possible? last time I checked the nismo cams were way off balance (like 272/256 or something? haven't been to z1auto.com in a bit)

 

a few months ago we test 9 different camshaft combinations on our 3SGTE (toyota mr2 turbo engine, we manufacture and sell a 2.2 stroker kit, oil pump, intake manifold, cylinder head package for that engine).

We found that with very well done headwork, larger cams were not needed for big power and the gains over some nice 264s were hardly worth it... we found that some HKS 264s made more power all the way up to 8000rpm compared to the 272s, and the 272s only made 10hp more from 8000 to 9000... and then a set of Toda 280s didnt even make ANY power over the 272s even up to 9500rpm.

All in all, the car ran the best with the 264s... this was with a EXTREMELY short runner intake manifold, even much shorter then the SSR for our Z's.. and this was also with tons of port work (especially on the exhaust side) and oversize valves.

Every engine is different, but bigger is not always better... there are some engines that woudl benefit from cams so large, especially if they had larger turbos... our test engine just had a little T67/25g on it... made i think 509rwhp at 20 psi.

I think it will depend heavily on your intake manifold and head work... because once you start doing that stuff, your results will vary a little from what others might have experienced from the same cams. Personally, the 260-264 area is perfect for me, you get that agressive sound, tons of power over stock, and you dont have to make any big sacrafices.

Oh we also tried the staggered combos, such as 272/264 and 264/272... degreed and a couple different degreeing specs, no gains were found with either... on some engines it might work, but ours just didnt care for it.