To Cam or Not To Cam?

[wzabrouski]

I have been thinking about a cam from rmw as my next mod. Jan suggested the cam over a header in an MCSa. Anyone have the rmw street cam? Any thoughts? Pros versus Cons?

[R53Warrior]

A cam will most definitely show you more of a gain than a header. With the mods you currently have I think a cam is a logical next step. As to what cam to get, I would get something your tuner likes.

[The-Only-One]

My shipment is due to arrive next week and I'll be able to tell you the differences in a month after my install.

My comments will be based on the fact that I already have a Supersprint headers with hi-flow cat and the cam (+injectors and remote tune) is coming on top of it ;)

[Flynscot1772]

I have the RMW/Newman Cam and the RMW header. I had both installed at the same time there was definately a huge gain in performance

[wzabrouski]

I got the rmw remote tune about 3 months ago.

[Professor]

After 2 cams I am running the RMW/Newman. Gotta say I love the change in the power band.

[ej]

Wzabrouski,
Notice you have an auto also. I have similar mods compared to yours. Decided to go the route of the cam since didn't care for the loudness of a header. Added the RMW cam and the 380 injectors at the same time. Much more torque at the lower and mid range RPMs. Go for it.

[cct1]

Originally Posted by Professor

After 2 cams I am running the RMW/Newman. Gotta say I love the change in the power band.

Which other cams did you run, and how did they compare to the Newman?

[mdbsat]

I really like my cam. Transformed my car.

[miniconcarne]

Originally Posted by mdbsat

I really like my cam. Transformed my car.

Cool, your mods are similar to my '03. I have stock injectors and Alta c'back,
the only difference.

Transformed your car how? Low end off the line? Top end? Out of a corner?
All the above??!!

[mdbsat]

Originally Posted by miniconcarne

Cool, your mods are similar to my '03. I have stock injectors and Alta c'back,
the only difference.

Transformed your car how? Low end off the line? Top end? Out of a corner?
All the above??!!

from about 3.9k to redline

My car used to be lacking there.

[BlimeyCabrio]

Yep.... on an MCSa the Newman/RMW cam is a great mod. LOVE mine. I added the cam first, then the header later - the cam made an immediately noticeable difference in midrange torque. The header made an immediately noticeable difference in noise.

But I need a re-tune to really get any gain out of the header.

[Chase]

i like my cam too

[mdbsat]

Originally Posted by Chase

i like my cam too

lol. awesome.

[Tamadx]

i dont see a reason not to cam...

when i do my pulley and tune the cam is also going in do it all at once. injectors too. if the time comes a head and headers too.

what are the down sides of a cam? mpg? reliablity?

[#Dragon#]

the best thing i did was to fit the nitrostick cam it just transformed my car.

[davisflyer]

Have the RMW street cam. It's great. Good idle, stronger mid-upper range than stock. Nothing negative to say. You will notice a difference in the power, especially if you get it tuned later.

[Tamadx]

so people that just slap the cam in with a 15% and intake dont see any negative affects with mpg or idol issues?

seems sweet to me just adding to the excitement to getting one.

[davisflyer]

Originally Posted by Tamadx

so people that just slap the cam in with a 15% and intake dont see any negative affects with mpg ......

Doing all that you probably will notice a drop in MPG, as your foot will be exploring all the newfound power.

[BlimeyCabrio]

Some cars (mine included) have a *little* lope at idle with the cam. Nothing major - but mine definitely lopes a bit between 800-1000 RPM. Sexy IMHO. But if your expectation is "any change in idle is bad" then you might be disappointed.

[Tamadx]

Originally Posted by davisflyer

Doing all that you probably will notice a drop in MPG, as your foot will be exploring all the newfound power.

i already put my foot to the floor too much because the car is painfully slow compared to my most recent last cars lol.... but i cant wait to waste gas in this car with more mods haha

wait wait not waste gas but use in a respectful pleasing manor haha

Originally Posted by BlimeyCabrio

Some cars (mine included) have a *little* lope at idle with the cam. Nothing major - but mine definitely lopes a bit between 800-1000 RPM. Sexy IMHO. But if your expectation is "any change in idle is bad" then you might be disappointed.

the lope is expected in my book. i am just seeing if on normal driving shifting at no later than 4k would the cam increase fuel consumption drastically? i would expect there would be more fuel consumption but the question is how much?

also a question regarding fuel injectors... are they needed or help a tuner when a cam is installed?

ideally in the near future after i get winter tires/ rims i want to do the pulley and cam at the same time i am just seeing if i should use injectors too. the tune will come later after either a head or headers. or both. just need to talk to a local tuner here and see if he is ready for a mini project... no pun intended haha

[MrCooperS]

cam first? or header first? THAT'S the question.

[Tamadx]

Originally Posted by MrCooperS

cam first? or header first? THAT'S the question.

from everything i have read i am sold on cam first.

[BlimeyCabrio]

Cam first. The header does very little unless you first "open up" the engine to breathe better with the cam.

Injectors are not required to benefit from the cam - nor is a custom tune - though both can help.

I've always gotten the same crappy gas mileage in my car pretty much regardless of the mod package. All a function of how I drive.

[rwkeating]

Anyone have any sound/video clips of MINIs loping at idle due to a different cam? I'd like to hear that ... just curious.