Techtonics Tuning 288 Hydraulic Camshaft (8v)
Filed under Engine
1 Positive Reviews
0 Negative Reviews
This hydraulic camshaft for the 8v engine is labeled as a race cam. The 288 is made from chilled hardened billet and produces a very rough idle with plenum type intake manifolds. This cam is not recommended for street use.
Source: Techtonics Tuning
Specs:
288 camshaft measured @ .050″
Advertised Duration: 288*
Duration @ .050″ 245*/244*
Valve Lift: .460” / .460”
Lift @ TDC: Unknown
Centerlines: 110.5* / 109.5*
Lobe Center: 110*
Valve Timing: 12/53 – 51.5/12.5
Valve Overlap: 24.5*
Part Number: 109.068
Notes: This camshaft requires a valvetrain upgrade.
Tags: 2.0 8v, camshaft, Techtonics Tuning
Installation:
I rated this a 1 on the scale due to the fact that other valve train parts have to be updated with this camshaft as well as the required head work that needs to be done. Due to it’s .460″ lift, it requires an upgrade to Heavy Duty dual valve springs for all ABA heads. Also manditory is getting your ECU chipped for this cam to re-adjust timing/fueling tables and to raise the idle speed to smooth it out during idle. **This cam profile will [b]NOT[/b] idle well below 1100rpms.** And along with those, new cam followers (lifters), camshaft oil seal, valve cover gasket, and upper intake manifold gasket are absolutely required for this camshaft upgrade. If you are not mechanically inclined, I highly suggest having a professional do the head work.
And speaking of head work, the stock port diameter on both OBDI/OBDII ABA heads do not flow enough to properly take advantage of the power increase this duration can provide. I personally suggest a professional do the head work to properly shape the ports for maximum flow. I also suggest bumping the compression from the stock 9.8:1. More static compression with a high duration camshaft equates to more dynamic compression during operation. More dynamic compression equates to more power from the camshaft. And lastly, you might have to clearance the lifter bores to allow the lobe nose to rotate freely. I experianced no issues in a German OBDI head, but have hear owners with OBDII Mexican head having clearance issues.
Performance:
I gave this cam a 4 in terms of performance due to the fact that there is a major loss in low end torque below 4000rpms. I consider this NOT a daily-driver cam….unless your ABA is in a lighter MKII chassis with a 2Y/4K transmission. In a portly MKIII with the stock CHE trans, its sluggish around town. In order to extract any power from the motor, you have to wind out the engine…which gets old fast. For a drag or track car, this cam profile is awesome. For daily driving, not so much. Lastly, this is NOT a camshaft to be used with forced induction.
Overall:
: 1I give this cam 4. Power increase is fantastic in the upper rpms, but the cost of this upgrade is considerable due to the valve train upgrade, ECU chip necessary, and required head work. Ans also, as stated above, leave this duration to non-daily cars. A 272*-276* would be a much better choice.
: 4
: 4