If I were to get a set of the cams that "require computer reprogramming" can this be accomplished just by adding a set of the GM or JBP adjustable cam gear sets? And also why. If not then what do the adjustable gears exactly allow besides advancing timing a bit?

 

To answer your question, no.

The cam gears change the lift and duration of your camshafts but since they are adjustable, it adjusts to your liking.

The whole "computer reprogramming" issue has to do with fuel...basically keeping your air/fuel ratio good. Granted, putting new camshafts that have a high lift and/or duration won't cause your car to not run or anything extreme but it will effect it's overall performance if you're supplying more air and not enough fuel, not giving it a good mixture.

Now, just because you're supplying more air doesn't mean you'll need more fuel. Your computer still has control for the most part and does change it's parameters when you change parts and your airflow BUT it might not change parameters to the best performance. You could easily put on different camshafts and your computer sends too much fuel (more than you would need) and cause you to run rich. Now you need something to turn down the amount of fuel to have a stoich mixture.

To help you out incase you don't know:

Stoich means you have just about a perfect air/fuel mixture
Rich means you have too much fuel for the amount of air that is being supplied into your motor
Lean means that there is not enough fuel being supplied to the motor. Too lean of a mixture can cause engine/block damage or part wear/damage.

Hopefully this answers your question.

 

^^^ most excellent response. ^^^
I don't think I could have possibly write a better response.

 

it would only have been better if he had mentioned that in the modern era, adjustable cam gears are used mostly so that guys in civics can take the protective cap off and make sure that everyone notices the adjustable cam gears.

 

Thanks guys I'm just looking at what I can do for some more power. Also can swapping the gears accomplish anything with out upgraded cams?

 

it could if you wanted to alter cam timing to move your power curve, I've done it before on other stock cam engines to insane amounts of retard and it was pretty cool, but I don't have enough experience with the 2.2 to say where the safe gray area ends.

also, as Adam said, fuel tuning is critical. here's some numbers to go along with what he was discussing:

perfectly stoich = 14.7:1
typical most power (because of cylinder pressure, the flame moves fastest at this ratio) = 13.1:1
"rich" tune = 12.9:1 and below
"lean" = anything above 14.8 (at least that's how I've always treated it, I've never tuned on the lean side for safety reasons.)

keep in mind, cam overlap can alter a/f numbers, which is why guys with aftermarket cams often have a/f ratios almost into the 15's, but are safe and realistically almost a bit on the rich side.

 

on a related side note, i know the 2.2 is, but am i safe to assume that all ecotec cams are chain drive?

 

yep, sure are, at least the US releases

I've seen some European versions with belts but none of those will reach US shores

 

thats what i thought, just checking

 

Thank you.

 

Also note that idling in "lean" condition is fine. Ideally 14-15s is normal naturally aspirated.

 

right, all my numbers were for WOT, should have noted that but thought it would be assumed...

yeah yeah I know how the rest of that goes lol

 

:P

Silly Saturn owner lol

 

does anyone know how to do a ecotec cam swap? ive never done a cam swap on a 4 cylnder before so if anyone could tell me how to and tell me the torque specs and stuff i would appriciate it

 

How To: Install ECOTEC Camshafts

Enjoy

 

thank you njhk

 

You're welcome and while you're at it, join the forum. We have alot of good info there and positive/knowledgable people there too.

 

hmmm, you know I should really do that

 

Talk is cheap :P