Looking for some advice on setting up adjustable cams. I normally set as per standard cams, but looking for advice on setting up if any of you brain boxes can help!!
Cheers
Setting up adjustable cams
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Re: Setting up adjustable cams
Not an entirely straight forward job...................to do it right that is.
Depends on what else has been done to the engine as well.......................you would not want to have Mr valve introducing himself to Mr piston.
A degree wheel could be useful as well so that you can measure exactly what your doing
Plasticine or solder on the piston top will help you measure piston/ valve clearance....................
TBH this is not a job I would take on without someone guiding me as I did it.....................and I've rebuilt ZXR400 engines for fun.
I have one engine with adjustable cam sprockets but and they have been changed from standard but I've left them exactly as they are each time I've rebuilt it.
I'd imagine someone on the forum will know more about what effect changing the cam timing will have and what potential benefits are.................and the draw backs.
For a road bike engine that is standard in every other way................I'd leave well alone..............tuned race bike engine then yes could be useful gains by have an engine specfic set up
Depends on what else has been done to the engine as well.......................you would not want to have Mr valve introducing himself to Mr piston.
A degree wheel could be useful as well so that you can measure exactly what your doing
Plasticine or solder on the piston top will help you measure piston/ valve clearance....................
TBH this is not a job I would take on without someone guiding me as I did it.....................and I've rebuilt ZXR400 engines for fun.
I have one engine with adjustable cam sprockets but and they have been changed from standard but I've left them exactly as they are each time I've rebuilt it.
I'd imagine someone on the forum will know more about what effect changing the cam timing will have and what potential benefits are.................and the draw backs.
For a road bike engine that is standard in every other way................I'd leave well alone..............tuned race bike engine then yes could be useful gains by have an engine specfic set up
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Re: Setting up adjustable cams
Cheers for that. I have built plenty of race engines with good results, but thought I could get even better results from adjusting cams. I have a note of the current squish on the motor, but was not sure what to do regards cams for best results.
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- zxr400 oc member
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Re: Setting up adjustable cams
If you do a google search you should be able find lots of general information that might act as a guide..............
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Re: Setting up adjustable cams
there's some good guides to dialling in cams on the factory pro website.
If the head/block have been skimmed the cams will be retarded from the original position, same as with a stretched cam-chain, however every engine differs, so a degree[sic] of trial and error is involved to arrive at the power curve you're after, just measure everything and watch the piston/valve clearances.
Ive got a small endoscope for carrying out quick visual checks once the engine is built up, probably not essential, but its cool

If the head/block have been skimmed the cams will be retarded from the original position, same as with a stretched cam-chain, however every engine differs, so a degree[sic] of trial and error is involved to arrive at the power curve you're after, just measure everything and watch the piston/valve clearances.
Ive got a small endoscope for carrying out quick visual checks once the engine is built up, probably not essential, but its cool

