Shaved Heads Adjustable Camshaft Pulleys / Gears

[RX8SE3P]

Welcome to my multi question thread. I have a ZE, it runs pretty well, no CEL codes, full KL31 everything, curve neck intake etc. I made 145 WHP last dyno, but since then have fixed a faulty knock sensor, done HEI+Coil and CAI. So maybe 155-160 WHP now if I'm lucky.

Only power mods are 2.25 exhaust + Ebay headers and CAI. HEI + Coil too if that counts. Running a probinator ECU also.

I'm stuck at the moment for ideas on how to get 180WHP or more like some people here get with similar mods. My ZE is rebuilt and I am wondering if the heads were shaved too much.

1. Would 1-2mm of shaving make a difference? (25mm to an 1 inch).
2. Is there a way (without removing anything) to tell if my heads are shaved too much and timing is out?
3. If I bought/was able to buy adjustable cam pulleys, would this fix the issue after adjusting correctly?
4. Has anyone bought the adjustable pulleys and then installed after a rebuild involving shaving heads and did it help?
5. Am I being too fussy/delusional and be happy with 150-160WHP??

[Mooneggs]

I dare say the ECU is where a lot of gains can be made with an MS unit vs running the KL31/36 or a Probinator. I just remember Jesse dynoing and he had 15 or so more HP although he also is running the KLG4 manifold... but the biggest difference was the MS.

[Josh]

One question do you know if your ZE has KL31 cams? If they are not that would be the loss.

I am running the same setup as you but a KL36 ecu and I get 169 WHP. I am at sea level also, and it depends on the dyno as well.

Currently I have a KL31 motor, interprep valve springs, OE K8 flywheel, 3" CIA, 2.5" exhaust, and ebay headers. The G4 mani will help with a fair amount from what I have been told is it is good for a little bit of high end HP gain, though like mark said the biggest gain is engine management, and to eliminate the VAF.

With your heads from what I know I would not shave any more than 20 thousands.

[WhiteFinish]

Tips for power increase

KL31 cams or ColtCams/Interprep Cams
Lightend fly
Interprep valve springs + DE retainers
Nitrous
Megasquirt (more difficult though)

Fresh tune up .... (o2 sensors etc)

[MrMazda92]

Flywheels don't really give you a power boost, if anything it will bring the gap between BHP and WHP closer together...

[MrMazda92]

Those who dyno in that range typically have removed emissions equipment(like a catalytic converter), or replaced it with "high flow" aftermarket equivalents. That alone would net you a few WHP, but is dependent on your willingness to bypass emissions standards.

If you have SMOG type testing in your area, this might not be the best idea, unless you are comfortable swapping the catalytic converter in and out for testing.

[RX8SE3P]

I have a test pipe, kl31 cams, k8 flywheel and completely removed all egr related equipment. I should dyno soon just to see where I am at.

[Sleeper6]

Has anyone on this forum ever done the MAF swap for a KL and had it dyno'ld? I know personally thats where I am headed instead of forking the cash for MS

[MrMazda92]

Pile of rd1(Scott Draugelis on the FB page) has. He actually sells plug and play harnesses.

For what it's worth, MS + a wired MAF swap or VAF delete is even better. Why choose, when you can have both?

Edit: I'm not sure about dyno results, but some on PT have, without a doubt.

[RX8SE3P]

Has anyone on this forum ever done the MAF swap for a KL and had it dyno'ld? I know personally thats where I am headed instead of forking the cash for MS

Hey hey, easy there big fella. No need to shoot.

*hands over keys to thread*

[Sleeper6]

Has anyone on this forum ever done the MAF swap for a KL and had it dyno'ld? I know personally thats where I am headed instead of forking the cash for MS

Hey hey, easy there big fella. No need to shoot.

*hands over keys to thread*

Hey there just wanted to make sure I was steering you in the right direction for maximizing your whp at a low cost option, otherwise I would say your right about where you should be for Whp. From what Ive researched is that the probinator ecu tends to make your run rich and thats where I would start.

[Josh]

Yep^^^

My car with the chipped K8 ecu only dynoed at like 150ish WHP it then dynoed at 161 with the kl02 VAF and DE ecu. I swapped it back out for the KL36 and JE VAF and hit 168.9. KL31 motor with just bolt on's. Soon I will be doing a VAF to MAP conversion and I anticipate it to increase greatly. From the research I have done is the VAF is very limiting and actually has a flat spot to where it will just plateau. This is where a MAF helps, I just did not want to swap over to OBDII as there is no OBDII ZE ECU, you have to run a DE ECU. There is a OBDI /OBDII in between ecu the KLK1 but you cannot run that unless you have an entire wire harness out of a JDM MX6.

There are a couple guys who have seen up to 180whp with the MAF conversion on PT.

[WhiteFinish]

How about fuel delivery ?

Do you have an adjustable fpr ? Bigger fuelpump?

[Josh]

Factory. Unless you are boosting you don't really need to touch it.

[Thefez]

I will be swapping over to a OBD-II system soon.. since going to my KLK1 ECU wasn't possible with parts of the harness sent with my motor... but I want to dyno befor and after and see what the gain will be. So ill keep everyone updated.