380 Cams for AWD?

[WytWun]

My experience isn't with 380 cams (#15) but Ralliart cams (#7), which I'm told are the same lobe profile but with different ground-in timing: the #15s are about 3° retarded compared to the #7s at about 6° retarded (measured in crankshaft angles relative to TDC).

Because of the extra weight of the AWD and wanting to boost low end torque as much as possible, as well as having been able to obtain a set of Fidanza vernier cam gears when the AU$ was near its peak against the US$, I had the #7s installed 8° advanced (+4 on the cam vernier, which is half the angular displacement on the crankshaft). This achieved what I expected, with the top end still holding up well to close to 6000rpm.

I won't say the result was chalk and cheese, not least because I also had an major exhaust system not long beforehand which was in itself a source of noticeable improvement and this made the cam changes less noticeable than they would have otherwise been, however there was a noticeable improvement particularly at low revs (1000-2000). Now, when cold the car will upshift to 2nd gear at idle within about 3 car lengths on level ground and will still pull away positively from a standstill at idle when hot. While I do have a 95RON tune to complicate that assessment, I believe most of the improvement is from the cams and exhaust as I can switch back to the stock tune with only a barely perceptible reduction in response...

I would agree with the others who've said it is only economically justifiable if done as a DIY or as part of a cam belt replacement. Not having been in an AWD with a 3.8 conversion I can't assess the relative merits of that option.

[zero]

WytWun, if youre ever in Adelaide, contact me & i'd be happy for you to have a drive of mine, if its of any interest.

[WytWun]

WytWun, if youre ever in Adelaide, contact me & i'd be happy for you to have a drive of mine, if its of any interest.

Thanks for the offer zero! Sadly I don't like my chances of being able to take you up on it

[BergDonk]

Yes, I got the whole engine. As I said, there was nothing wrong with the 3.5, zero oil consumption @ 270,000 kms. Just a major service due, which was achieved with the 380 conversion.

What sparked the swap was interesting. Its basically the missus' car. She had been down the coast for a few days work and visiting her mum. Got home one Friday night and said the gearbox was on the blink, swapping up and down and generally not happy. She'd babied it up Brown Mt and eventually home. I'm thinking the notorious wave washer, and thinking maybe a 3k fix on a car that is worth may 5k operational. Perfectly good TWII VRX AWD, with dodgy gearbox is worth what? I opened the back door to go out and have a quick look and from 20 m away could smell burning oil. Hmmmm, ah well leave it till tomorrow and daylight.

Then got thinking, its worth so little as is, maybe its time for a new car. She just needs a commuter, so maye a Mazda 3, Kia, whatever. I have my toys and rarely drive the VRX. So next day we went car shopping and decided that maybe a Peugot 308 was in the future. Sunday she went to work and I went to have a good look at the VRX. Started it up and limped around to the shed with box locked in 1st gear. Seemed to have a misfire, maybe, and gearbox felt fine in 1st. Hmmmm.

Opened the bonnet and almost immediately spotted a plug lead on the front bank not on properly. Pulled it off and it wasn't on the plug. Leaking rocker gasket had pooled some oil, which got hot, and the gas pressure popped the lead, which sat close and then arced occasionaly to the plug burning the oil, and creating the smell. I syringed the oil out, pushed the lead back on and gearbox was fixed.

The misfire had been upsetting the gearbox......

So after some thought, we decided to spend 5k for a 380 conversion and some new suspension and other bits and bobs on what is still a very tidy car which she really likes, and I do too.

Mal did a great job, and the basic cost of the 380 conversion must be the best bang for buck performance upgrade known for anything I reckon. We're very pleased with the outcome, significantly improved performance everywhere, and better economy.

Didn't need a 380 conversion, just some superficial maintenance on the 3.5, but if you ever try one, you'll want one, recommended.

[KWAWD]

---
Mal did a great job, and the basic cost of the 380 conversion must be the best bang for buck performance upgrade known for anything I reckon. We're very pleased with the outcome, significantly improved performance everywhere, and better economy.

Didn't need a 380 conversion, just some superficial maintenance on the 3.5, but if you ever try one, you'll want one, recommended.

That makes sense BergDonk. The 380 conversion is both tempting and yet very hard to justify for me. The engine seems to be as good as new, its very clean and really only broken in at 97k's. I know the past 4 years of its service history and the timing belt isnt due for another 15k's. I cant imagine it would need a new water pump yet, or anything else spent on it.

Whats the cost of the timing belt change versus the 380 conversion - 1:3? And who knows what condition the replacement 6G75 would be in? Its a bit of a gamble.
If the KL's engine had significantly more k's I'd definitely consider it. Maybe I'll do it at the next timing belt change, if I still have it then.

[Madmagna]

Have you thought outside the box a little, had a customer, is on these forums as well in a similar situation to yourself

Had a KL AWD and a TF wagon. KL was clean car but wanted more go, low k's as well

End result was 3.8 into the KL, motor for the KL in to the fairly high K TF and he never looked back.

[KWAWD]

Have you thought outside the box a little, had a customer, is on these forums as well in a similar situation to yourself

Had a KL AWD and a TF wagon. KL was clean car but wanted more go, low k's as well

End result was 3.8 into the KL, motor for the KL in to the fairly high K TF and he never looked back.

Actually its a great idea Mal. I wish I'd thought of it before we did the last timng belt/water pump, rocker covers, plugs and seals a few months ago! KH continues to drive strong and wont be due for a belt for a while, but that may be the best plan in the end. If u find a really good example with low k's and been looked after then i might be tempted early.

In the meantime i'm thinking the cams would be good at the next timing belt change, which is coming up.

[ADM]

@ KWAWD: 380 conversion FTW as 380 or ralliart cams upgrade won't be a chalk n cheese difference as WytWun mentioned.
I've also done the 380 conversion on my AWD.
The larger displacement engine along with the 10:1 compression ratio, 380 cam profile partnered with your exhaust upgarade will net you a very handy performance upgrade, especially down low where the AWD platform needs it the most.

[wadza]

I bought some 380 cams... but then decided to go for the 3.8l instead. Still at least a couple of months away from doing it though... I just bought new springs, shocks and steering rack which is all going to go on my TJ AWD in the next week, so that's my cash splashing done for the next 3 months at least methinks