Tomei 256 vs 260 Cams w/ GT2871R 0.64AR? Or better alternatives?

[jerryscherry]

Been looking around at cams for my sr20det w/ gt2871 0.64.

narrowed down my selection to

Tomei 256 poncams and the tomei 260 procams.

http://www.frsport.com/Tomei-143043-PonCam-Camshafts-S13-PS13-RPS13-SR20DET-256-11-50mm_p_12646.html

http://www.frsport.com/Tomei-1431260120-ProCam-Lash-Type-Intake-Camshaft-S13-SR20DET-260-12-00mm_p_12654.html

I am looking a little more mid to top, but not sure if the Tomei 260 will completely destroy low end. not sure which one is more suited for the gt2871r 0.64 AR

other alternatives would be JWT s3's (can't really find them used)
Hks Step 2 264's or hks step 1 256's (kinda a lot more expensive than the tomei's)


also anyone have experience with Tomei head gaskets? they are significantly cheaper than cosworth (my first choice)

[slideslidegnarslide]

Tomei just recently dropped the msrp on their head gaskets to be competitive. Great product just like all their other products.

Also 256s are drop in cams so they are much cheaper to install and you will keep your bottom end torque. I have the same set up as you and just ended up choosing the 256s.

Install over the next couple weeks

More importantly what are you going to be doing with the car?

[jerryscherry]

Tomei just recently dropped the msrp on their head gaskets to be competitive. Great product just like all their other products.

Also 256s are drop in cams so they are much cheaper to install and you will keep your bottom end torque. I have the same set up as you and just ended up choosing the 256s.

Install over the next couple weeks

More importantly what are you going to be doing with the car?

Oh nice on the headgaskets! weird they don't make a 1.1,, i see only 1.0 and 1.2 lol, tryna to get stock size

it's my DD i don't drift at all, but i like to do pulls once in a while or some spirited canyon driving. im shooting for a 350whp power goal on the gt2871 0.64 (i have hks version, not sure if big difference).

i was planning to upgrade the valvesprings regardless (who knows how well the valve springs will hold up since they like 15+years old)

[slideslidegnarslide]

Either set up will make your power goal. Just depends on how much boost you want to run.

[Tom N]

I have the 256's on a SR with 20g turbo. They made good power ( 360hp @ 15psi ) and idle good even with a/c running.
I may try swapping the exhaust cam for a 260 but keep the 256 intake.

[Seraphim38]

I went from 264 to 256 on my prior GT2871R setup and on they dyno, and in observation, the difference was barely measurable. I thought that the 256s would make it spoolup faster but it didn't make a difference in spool. The total dyno difference was only a couple hp max, in the best conditions.

+1 on the Tomeis. I went from BC to Tomei with no other changes and the Tomei worked better for me.

[Tom N]

There's no way I would run the BC's. they are so inconsistent. And it's not just with SR's. they suck just as bad with 4g63's.

[jerryscherry]

I went from 264 to 256 on my prior GT2871R setup and on they dyno, and in observation, the difference was barely measurable. I thought that the 256s would make it spoolup faster but it didn't make a difference in spool. The total dyno difference was only a couple hp max, in the best conditions.

+1 on the Tomeis. I went from BC to Tomei with no other changes and the Tomei worked better for me.

so u are on tomei 256's right now? weird, thought u get a lot more low end with the 256, guess not. i was originally going bc, then i read all the mixed reviews and QC and what not.

would there be any point in me going 260's if im only shooting for 350whp? i only have 550cc injectors and 350whp sounds about the limit.

[Tom N]

Here a dyno graph of tomei 256's with a 29g at about 15psi.
As you can see it makes a very nice power band with a fairly flat torque curve and quick spool up. This turbo on stock cams made less hp and the torque fell off much quicker.
They are a good cam.

[5280VertDET]

Would cam gears help, with the 256s, help you spool faster?

[Seraphim38]

so u are on tomei 256's right now? weird, thought u get a lot more low end with the 256, guess not. i was originally going bc, then i read all the mixed reviews and QC and what not.

would there be any point in me going 260's if im only shooting for 350whp? i only have 550cc injectors and 350whp sounds about the limit.

Right now I am running HKS stage 3 272s with HKS solid lifter valvetrain. My current SR build bears no resemblance to my prior GT2871R/SR build, and it makes at least 100rwhp more from 3K RPM on up.

The difference between 256s and 264s at 350rwhp is probably not going to be that significant. Maybe 1-3rwhp. As much as can be had from a change in ambient air temperature, engine temperature or the difference between good and stale pump gas.

I wouldn't push past 350rwhp on 550s. In a 240, 350rwhp is actually quite a lot. My car was configured with a 350rwhp SR for about a year, and even with 275 rear track tires it was still difficult to keep traction in first gear for autocross/grip purposes.

Pertaining to cam gears, they enable you to adjust cam timing slightly, for the purpose of shifting the power band higher or lower. This is done by setting the timing, replacing the valve cover, then dyno tuning, then removing the valve cover and changing cam timing, resetting and re-tuning, and doing that over and over until you get the best results. That's going to add up to $1k+ in dyno tuning for maybe a couple of hp. Rarely do people actually tune properly without adjusting cam timing, let along adding the complexity of cam timing. Second, the sliding style cam gears (other than the JWT notch type cam gears) are expensive and can come loose, and if they do your cam timing will become off and put pistons into valves which will destroy your motor. It is a risk to be aware of.

In summary, cam timing is for those who are going all out, doing no expense spared builds. If you want to get adjustable cam gears, the JWT are inexpensive at around $100 and are safe. Otherwise, don't bother

[5280VertDET]

Pertaining to cam gears, they enable you to adjust cam timing slightly, for the purpose of shifting the power band higher or lower. This is done by setting the timing, replacing the valve cover, then dyno tuning, then removing the valve cover and changing cam timing, resetting and re-tuning, and doing that over and over until you get the best results. That's going to add up to $1k+ in dyno tuning for maybe a couple of hp. Rarely do people actually tune properly without adjusting cam timing, let along adding the complexity of cam timing. Second, the sliding style cam gears (other than the JWT notch type cam gears) are expensive and can come loose, and if they do your cam timing will become off and put pistons into valves which will destroy your motor. It is a risk to be aware of.

In summary, cam timing is for those who are going all out, doing no expense spared builds. If you want to get adjustable cam gears, the JWT are inexpensive at around $100 and are safe. Otherwise, don't bother

BOOM! Thank you!

[slideslidegnarslide]

Just get tomei 256 you'll be happy

[jerryscherry]

Here a dyno graph of tomei 256's with a 29g at about 15psi.
As you can see it makes a very nice power band with a fairly flat torque curve and quick spool up. This turbo on stock cams made less hp and the torque fell off much quicker.
They are a good cam.

Thanks for that!

Right now I am running HKS stage 3 272s with HKS solid lifter valvetrain. My current SR build bears no resemblance to my prior GT2871R/SR build, and it makes at least 100rwhp more from 3K RPM on up.

The difference between 256s and 264s at 350rwhp is probably not going to be that significant. Maybe 1-3rwhp. As much as can be had from a change in ambient air temperature, engine temperature or the difference between good and stale pump gas.

I wouldn't push past 350rwhp on 550s. In a 240, 350rwhp is actually quite a lot. My car was configured with a 350rwhp SR for about a year, and even with 275 rear track tires it was still difficult to keep traction in first gear for autocross/grip purposes.

Pertaining to cam gears, they enable you to adjust cam timing slightly, for the purpose of shifting the power band higher or lower. This is done by setting the timing, replacing the valve cover, then dyno tuning, then removing the valve cover and changing cam timing, resetting and re-tuning, and doing that over and over until you get the best results. That's going to add up to $1k+ in dyno tuning for maybe a couple of hp. Rarely do people actually tune properly without adjusting cam timing, let along adding the complexity of cam timing. Second, the sliding style cam gears (other than the JWT notch type cam gears) are expensive and can come loose, and if they do your cam timing will become off and put pistons into valves which will destroy your motor. It is a risk to be aware of.

In summary, cam timing is for those who are going all out, doing no expense spared builds. If you want to get adjustable cam gears, the JWT are inexpensive at around $100 and are safe. Otherwise, don't bother

Just get tomei 256 you'll be happy


Thank You, I figured no point in going 260's if im only shooting for 350 with that turbo.

Also do you guys recommend valvesprings upgrade? I know the tomei 256 poncams don't require valvesprings upgrade, but I figured my redtop SR is like 15+ years old, and the maximum lift for stock springs is 11.5 right?

[Seraphim38]

Valve springs can be cheap. Retainers too. If it were me I would do it but that is because I like to do things right, once, so I don't ever have to do it again.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk

[jr_ss]

If you aren't planning on going any higher than 350, there's no point in swapping cams period...

[Dboyizmlg]

Tomei 256 with that turbo should get you at 350 for sure with a nice powerband/tq.

[shorty69187420]

would you guys recommend replacing the head gasket also? or is safe for around 350 rwhp?