Kent Cam Gear Adjusting for SVT - How Difficult?

bushmasterguy · 03-09-2006, 10:04 AM

For those of you who actually have a SVT Exhaust Cam Gear how hard is it to adjust it once it is installed?

I had a mechanic install a Kent Cam Gear and set it to 0 degrees. Now I am taking it to the dyno for some runs and then Tom with Focus Power is going to send me a revised tune to match my new Air/Fuel ratios (Thanks Tom!).

So is it hard to adjust the Exhaust Cam Gear once it is installed? The Dyno is charging me for the runs and then my mechanic will also charge me to do the adjusting. Can I cut costs and do the adjusting myself? For the record I am not a mechanical genious but I am not totally helpless. For example I installed my Steeda Short Shifter myself.

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Reedicus · 03-09-2006, 11:17 AM

I haven't done this so I can't help, but my impression was that it is simple enough to do while the car is still strapped down on the dyno, taking only a few minutes. Please post up pic of the before and after dynos. I have been thinking of doing this, but recently spoke to Tom who pretty much said "don't waste your time"... something still makes me want to try. good luck

bushmasterguy · 03-09-2006, 12:53 PM

I read in Focus Performance Book that they got 7 hp and equivalent torque through out the power band on a stock svt with a cam gear. Plus lighter weight less rotating mass than the stock cam gear. That is what convinced me to do it.

svt2nv04 · 03-11-2006, 09:59 PM

yup that sounds right. i've heard it's a great mod. how much is that mechanic charging you to adjust the cam gear? if it's not too much i'd just go with him doing it for you.

bushmasterguy · 03-12-2006, 07:35 AM

After a little research (called Focus Sport and talked to a technician that convinced me I could do it) and experimentation I decided to do it my self. All you need is a T55 Torx Bit with Rachet to turn the cam gear and a allen wrench to lossen the cam for adjustment.

I tried it easy as pie and will save me his $65 per hour rate. The Dyno is going to cost me $150 for the first hour (about 3 runs) and $125 per hour after that. I reserved the Dyno for 3 hours but more than likely go 1.25 hours is what we are estimating. So that is $181.50 for the Dyno. Adjusting the cam gear in is trial an error.

I am going to start at -2 degrees retard and go from there.

2004SVTAutoXer · 03-12-2006, 12:03 PM

how much does the gear cost?

bushmasterguy · 03-12-2006, 12:05 PM

$145

Goat Roper · 03-12-2006, 12:37 PM

It is very easy to do. Simply loosen the adjustment bolts slightly. Put a ratchet on the cam bolt then ever so gently tap or apply just enough pressure to move it one degree in either direction.

Run a baseline dyno

Retard or advance one degree. Re-run dyno.

If you gained HP, take it another degree in the direction you started. Re-run dyno.

If you lost HP, take it back the opposite direction (if you went to -1 and lost HP, take it to +1). Re-run dyno.

Same principal, if you gain HP, take it another degree. If you lose HP, you know that TDC is where its at.

Keep in mind to not make a whole bunch of runs at once (it only takes a minute to adjust the gear). You will heat saturate your motor, which will make it lose HP. So you end up think you are losing HP when in actuality you may be adding it.

ALWAYS REMEMBER TO TIGHTEN THE ADJUSTMENT BOLTS UP BEFORE EACH DYNO RUN!

If you have a mechanic actually do this for you, you will be kicking yourself in the head afterwards. It is more difficult to replace a light bulb than to do this.