Vortech engine build- questions about compression and cams
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Vortech engine build- questions about compression and cams
Guys,
I have been running my Vortech V3 set up on my 2006 Z for the last 50,000 miles now. I have a fairly typical build (walbro 255, 600cc DW, 2.87 pulley, uprev, see profile for full details) on a stock rev-up motor and made a bit over 450 whp. I m now approaching 75k miles on the good ol' odometer and whereas the engine still runs like new I need a project to keep busy with so I am planning on building the block for more power. I am hoping to exceed 500 whp, perhaps 550 if I can pull it off.
My questions are around compression and cams. I have read more threads here that I can count and I am now cross-eyed because of it. I find some that favor stock compression, lower than stock, higher than stock etc. Same with cams. Input ranges from "waste of time/money just get a smaller pulley" to "go for it, you'll make more power at lower psi". So I am hoping that some of the longtime Vortech guys here can chime in and help me plan this.
My thoughts were to go 11:1 compression and S7 cams on an IPP block. 1mm larger valves, heavy duty springs and 100 octane fuel full time. I considered e85 or meth injection but both are a bit of a pain here in Houston and race fuel is easy for me to get. The car is not a DD so I thought to tune at 93 and at 100 or 105 and switch maps when need be.
Anyway, thoughts/experience on 11:1 versus higher or lower considering the high octane fuel? What about cams and valve train? Am I wasting an extra two grand here to no avail?
Thank you for any feedback!
I have been running my Vortech V3 set up on my 2006 Z for the last 50,000 miles now. I have a fairly typical build (walbro 255, 600cc DW, 2.87 pulley, uprev, see profile for full details) on a stock rev-up motor and made a bit over 450 whp. I m now approaching 75k miles on the good ol' odometer and whereas the engine still runs like new I need a project to keep busy with so I am planning on building the block for more power. I am hoping to exceed 500 whp, perhaps 550 if I can pull it off.
My questions are around compression and cams. I have read more threads here that I can count and I am now cross-eyed because of it. I find some that favor stock compression, lower than stock, higher than stock etc. Same with cams. Input ranges from "waste of time/money just get a smaller pulley" to "go for it, you'll make more power at lower psi". So I am hoping that some of the longtime Vortech guys here can chime in and help me plan this.
My thoughts were to go 11:1 compression and S7 cams on an IPP block. 1mm larger valves, heavy duty springs and 100 octane fuel full time. I considered e85 or meth injection but both are a bit of a pain here in Houston and race fuel is easy for me to get. The car is not a DD so I thought to tune at 93 and at 100 or 105 and switch maps when need be.
Anyway, thoughts/experience on 11:1 versus higher or lower considering the high octane fuel? What about cams and valve train? Am I wasting an extra two grand here to no avail?
Thank you for any feedback!
Last edited by P&K350Z; 12-12-2013 at 05:32 PM. Reason: Nasty misspelling...
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What model impeller is your V-3? I just sent my V-3 SCi in for a SI impeller upgrade. I don't know a lot about this stuff, but I think you are at the upper rpm limits of the V-3. From what I understand, you could stand to make more power by upgrading to a SI or buying a new V-2 Ti. Pushing more CFM thru the motor will make more power than a slight bump in compression or messing with cams. The Si impeller only costs $365 plus shipping from Vortech and should give you a 40-50 HP bump for cheap.
I'm not going to pretend to know anything about building the motor.
I'm not going to pretend to know anything about building the motor.
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What model impeller is your V-3? I just sent my V-3 SCi in for a SI impeller upgrade. I don't know a lot about this stuff, but I think you are at the upper rpm limits of the V-3. From what I understand, you could stand to make more power by upgrading to a SI or buying a new V-2 Ti. Pushing more CFM thru the motor will make more power than a slight bump in compression or messing with cams. The Si impeller only costs $365 plus shipping from Vortech and should give you a 40-50 HP bump for cheap.
I'm not going to pretend to know anything about building the motor.
I'm not going to pretend to know anything about building the motor.
Any input on the compression or cams subject is appreciated.
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Thanks!
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#11
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These are not My Cams, P&K is asking about cams for his built motor, that was my suggestion…….
IMO, if it takes Custom Cams to get the job done, that's what you do!
But, Tomei Cams are available in any combo.
Kelford make staggered cam sets
GTM make staggered cam sets
Just to name a few……
IMO, if it takes Custom Cams to get the job done, that's what you do!
But, Tomei Cams are available in any combo.
Kelford make staggered cam sets
GTM make staggered cam sets
Just to name a few……
#12
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These are not My Cams, P&K is asking about cams for his built motor, that was my suggestion…….
IMO, if it takes Custom Cams to get the job done, that's what you do!
But, Tomei Cams are available in any combo.
Kelford make staggered cam sets
GTM make staggered cam sets
Just to name a few……
IMO, if it takes Custom Cams to get the job done, that's what you do!
But, Tomei Cams are available in any combo.
Kelford make staggered cam sets
GTM make staggered cam sets
Just to name a few……
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I have the stock impeller for the SCi. I am considering the SI upgrade especially since it appears that the 928 Motorsports impeller is not available for the V3. That was my first choice. And yes, I am at the limit of both the supercharger and possibly engine power. Not sure I want to add more power to the stock block. I did blow out the rear shaft seal on the blower twice until finally I built a plate cover for it and replaced the bearings with higher speed ones. Thank you for the input. Good to see another Houston guy too!
Indeed I have read the horror stories here over the years. Perhaps I'll regret it but I am relatively handy around the car and have a friend that's a master nissan tech so perhaps the odds are in my favor. Looking to do most of this myself.
Any input on the compression or cams subject is appreciated.
Indeed I have read the horror stories here over the years. Perhaps I'll regret it but I am relatively handy around the car and have a friend that's a master nissan tech so perhaps the odds are in my favor. Looking to do most of this myself.
Any input on the compression or cams subject is appreciated.
Get a smaller pulley too.
Cams wont make a big diff in power.
Imo it would be a waste of money to build an engine just to gain 50hp or so.
I could go on a diet and make my car 50hp faster.
#14
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Explain your Cam Statement…. and How You arrived with this Idea.
If your gonna build the engine of course you should get higher comp pistons.
Get a smaller pulley too.
Cams wont make a big diff in power.
Imo it would be a waste of money to build an engine just to gain 50hp or so.
I could go on a diet and make my car 50hp faster.
Get a smaller pulley too.
Cams wont make a big diff in power.
Imo it would be a waste of money to build an engine just to gain 50hp or so.
I could go on a diet and make my car 50hp faster.
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P&K350Z I have the same set-up on my 2006 but I've added CJM stage 2 fuel system, Tomei headers and Tomie 272 cams. I enjoy adding these upgrades myself and like the cam upgrade, the car comes alive & pulls hard at 4200 rpm. till 7500rpm. I have 457HP @9PSI. Thinking meth injection next for me then a built 10.1 motor. IMO if you want to run 500+ HP. that's pushing it on the stock block. Build motor 11.1 or 10.1 to be safe.
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In a built engine with supporting mods cams will help some. But if I was going to do it I would also have the heads done and a 5 angle valve.
So even with that done your only going to get 15 to 25hp asumming you go with the popular durations.
But you have trade offs with that slight power gain aswell... lower bottom end torque. Rough idle. Worse lower rpm drive ability.
I have jwt c2 cams in my car but I cant justify the cost and trade offs over the benefits.
Also I dont want to raise my rev limiter over 7000 rpms. Thats just me.
But many people raise it to 7500 or more to get the full benefit from the cams.
Built engine or not. High revs can kill a vq pretty quick.
So even with that done your only going to get 15 to 25hp asumming you go with the popular durations.
But you have trade offs with that slight power gain aswell... lower bottom end torque. Rough idle. Worse lower rpm drive ability.
I have jwt c2 cams in my car but I cant justify the cost and trade offs over the benefits.
Also I dont want to raise my rev limiter over 7000 rpms. Thats just me.
But many people raise it to 7500 or more to get the full benefit from the cams.
Built engine or not. High revs can kill a vq pretty quick.
Last edited by nway2deepagain; 12-16-2013 at 05:41 PM.
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P&K350Z I have the same set-up on my 2006 but I've added CJM stage 2 fuel system, Tomei headers and Tomie 272 cams. I enjoy adding these upgrades myself and like the cam upgrade, the car comes alive & pulls hard at 4200 rpm. till 7500rpm. I have 457HP @9PSI. Thinking meth injection next for me then a built 10.1 motor. IMO if you want to run 500+ HP. that's pushing it on the stock block. Build motor 11.1 or 10.1 to be safe.
nway2deep: I am already lean enough so losing 50 pounds is not in the cards. That said I get your point. Then again, my goal is to gain at least 50 whp but closer to 100 if I can pull it off. More important is to get my hands greasy with a more significant project that where I am at now. Thats the fun part...
EDIT: want to keep redline no higher than 7400, even after reinforcing the valve train. 7200 would be even better if I can meet the power target range.
Last edited by P&K350Z; 12-16-2013 at 06:29 PM.
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I am making similar power but at 12 PSI, 7200 rpm. Looks like with the cams and headers you dropped quite a bit of pressure, which is good. One of the reasons I am planning the built motor with 11.1 or even 11.3 comp is to help ease some of the low end lack of power that nway2deep mentions in his other post results from aggressive cams. I am looking into the staggered cam set up OldMan recommended, first I hear about it and from reading his many posts here he knows his stuff. I have not yet talked to the guys at IPP about their thoughts on staggered cams but they are flexible in their builds. They do provide the 5 angle valve job with their stage 2 blocks.
nway2deep: I am already lean enough so losing 50 pounds is not in the cards. That said I get your point. Then again, my goal is to gain at least 50 whp but closer to 100 if I can pull it off. More important is to get my hands greasy with a more significant project that where I am at now. Thats the fun part...
EDIT: want to keep redline no higher than 7400, even after reinforcing the valve train. 7200 would be even better if I can meet the power target range.
nway2deep: I am already lean enough so losing 50 pounds is not in the cards. That said I get your point. Then again, my goal is to gain at least 50 whp but closer to 100 if I can pull it off. More important is to get my hands greasy with a more significant project that where I am at now. Thats the fun part...
EDIT: want to keep redline no higher than 7400, even after reinforcing the valve train. 7200 would be even better if I can meet the power target range.
I get the labor, especially on z's sinse you have to drop the engine but why should a metal bar cost as much or more than a block?
Wish I could make em.
#20
Pedro, just now seeing this thread.
Where did you land on this bud?
Sounds like some awesome potential.
I'm moving back to Houston in July. No one bought my Z or vortech kit so I'm gonna build it when I get back!
Where did you land on this bud?
Sounds like some awesome potential.
I'm moving back to Houston in July. No one bought my Z or vortech kit so I'm gonna build it when I get back!
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