Thread: so i wanna buy a cam

The Xp cam is one of the most common cams to go with, I have also heard that the S1X cam also brings in good results, but I'm a bigger fan of the idle of the XP. Some people just buy a new stock timing chain to put in along with 105# springs to avoid the problems with the double rollers.

A few people have had more problems with the double rollers. A thread on here as well as on clubgp shows some of the problems with these timing chains. The chamfer on the crankshaft sprocket needs to be machined, Farnsworth knows a lot more about it. Some people use 2 cover gaskets on the cover or mill the actual cover so that it doesn't rub. That does not solve the actual problem, the sprocket needs to be measured or machined for proper fitment on our American L67/L36 engines.

I just installed the xp cam about two weeks ago and i love it.
The power added is great over the 1.9's i had before.
I bought the xp cam with 105 spring and retainers.
Also bought valve seals and locks and stock timing chain.
And the #4 cam install kit from zz p.
$700 for the cam and goodies and $350 for the install.

jp double booyyyyy. not ever going to crack open my front cover again unless i go with another cam.

if youre staying on stock heads, get an s1x. it has a better powerband than the xp, even though its less popular.

if youre getting ported heads, get something big like an IS3. screw the xpz.

rollmasters are the only ones ive ever heard of breaking. never heard of a jp breaking. youre gonna need to mill the oil pump cover or double gasket the front cover. either that or you can fix it the correct way and chamfer the crank gear to match the stock one.

you may want to think of changing your cam choice as well. is your car a DD? do you still have your l36 block? are you going to get a higher stall? these may affect how your car runs and the powerband.

well, if you look at the cam thread for the dyno charts it will help you to decide what would be best for you.

in my opinion, a cam with more midrange like a VS would be much more entertaining on the street. an s1x/xp would be a little faster on the top end, which you dont get to all the time unless you have your gas pedal on a switch.

I've had the S1X and XP. IMO the S1X is the better of the two on the low end. The VS may be ok, but the VS doesn't appear to be much better and an IC 1.9 rockered car.

With 105# springs you could just put in a new stock chain and tensioner. I've run the JP and Rollmaster single chains without issue. You will see thread where people have had issues with the double set breaking, including a pretty recent JP double. Seems all have their pluses and minuses

s1x is your cam then. ive heard it runs better than the xp as far as a useable powerband goes.

Originally Posted by QwikGT

ok, any guys with an S1X, care to comment?

what specifically do you want to know?

Yes with the stock cam the top end can use help.
The S1X has a more usable power band.
XP seems to drop some low end in favor of the top end.
XP has a better sound at idle, but who sits around and idles?
IMO the S1X is a better street and daily driver cam, because of the power band.

This is what i bought with the cam!!
Xp cam
105 valve springs
modded retainers
vitton valve seals
(stock) valve locks
(Stock) timing chain – also depends what brand you want and if you want it single or double roller. I bought a stock one.
new reusable rocker bolts
front cover gasket
Valve cover gaskets
lower intake manifold gasket
coolant o rings
coolant elbows
supercharger gasket
cam bolt
timing chain tensioner
crank bolt
red rtv
oil change – you need 2 oil changes.

I bought the cam with springs and retainer as a package.
Then i bought the rest of the stuff as a install kit!