Jump to content
Ultimate Subaru Message Board

Cams Advanced Timing and Octane


Recommended Posts

Hey all,

 

I know some people here have installed aftermarket cams (camshafts) with their EA81 or EA82 N/A cars. Usually, people who get aftermarket cams advance their timing to help with idle and to gain some extra hp/torque. This can vary between +5 to +10 more degrees advanced timing from what I've read.

 

My question is what octane have some of you folks used with an aftermarket cam grind and advanced timing? Is it necessary or advised to run higher octane (Ex: 93 octane) or is 87 - 89 octane usually just fine?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

ive never cammed a subaru but...

 

usualy when you cam a motor, unless its very mild cam, you loose compression, because the cam is open longer, and all that tech. stuffs.

so uless you bump your compression too, a cammed na motor will run crappy gas and like it.

Thank you!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here's the story of my engine(s) and their experiences with the Delta cams I've got in there right now. This is in my 86 ea82 wagon that started out carbed.

 

Stage 1: Completely stock engine before cams. Non-factory muffler, intake and coil. She liked running around 16 degrees of timing advance. (The factory setting is 8).

 

Stage 2: Addition of Weber carb. Basically the same timing setting.

 

Stage 3: Rebuilt engine, installed Delta cams. Ran better and better as I advanced the timing. I actually had to grind the distributor hold downs so I could turn it a little farther. I'm guessing it was around 25-27 degrees. At that point, I was just going by how far I could advance before pinging, and there wasn't any at that setting.

 

Then that engine threw a rod because of my stupid mistake when I put it together. Completely unrelated to ignition timing.

 

Stage 4: Rebuilt the SPFI motor out of my parts car, but used the Weber carb again and the Delta cams. With the higher compression, all it could take before pinging was around 18 degrees.

 

Stage 5: Converted to SPFI. With the electronically contolled timing, I'm running around 22-25 degrees of advance with no pinging. It actually feels like it wants a tiny bit more, so I'm going to experiment with that in the near future.

 

So, long story short, it seems that with Delta cams, you can and should run more ignition timing advance.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So, long story short, it seems that with Delta cams, you can and should run more ignition timing advance.
Cool, thanks for the info but what octane gas were you running during all of this? :)

 

My distributor is turned just about all the way up. I just don't want to go overboard with 93 octane when I could use 89. I've been using 93 octane ever since I advanced the timing so I wouldn't screw up anything. My hearing sucks so I don't rely on that for detonation detecting. :(

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...