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Get rid of the VCT system?

E

Eric2.0

CEG'er
Joined
Nov 17, 2009
Messages
117
Location
NY
1999 Mercury Mystique with the Zetec 2.0 VCT engine.

Just timed one of these up and learned a lot. I did some research on what the VCT exhaust cam does and how it works and it is only a means of emission control. It retards the cam tiomng to hold the exhaust gas in the engine a bit longer? Seems that this would decrease HP.

My recent thought is why not get rid of that VCT system and just time the exhaust cam for TDC just like the intake cam? Obviously this would throw out an engine error(engine light) but I am guessing the engine would run a lot stronger without VCT Maybe I could even increase advance a little for a bit more torque?

It would do away with the mystery of the VCT anyways.

Anyone ever do this to their VCT motor?
 
They make a VCT delete but I'm not sure it's worth your time.

Also, from what I've read, when the cam timing is retarded, it creates more down low power where an advanced cam creates power higher in the rpm. Seeing as the zetec has about as much torque as a go-kart, I'm not sure if this plays in with the VCT or not.
 
2000SE said:
They make a VCT delete but I'm not sure it's worth your time. .
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Any links to one of those so I can see pricing ?....

I'd be interested in that even though my car is just a grocery getter, but maybe adding a little extra performance would make a bit more fun to drive.
It would be nice to take the VCT mystery out of the picture and just have straight up cams turned by a solid sprocket.

My car is running awesome after a recent "newb" timing job, but I would like to play around with it a little more..see what I can do with it.

I'm thinking..delete the VCT, maybe a high performance head and a re calibrated ECM?.... :confused::help:
 
VCT does not affect performance, it is only an emissions control system. The only benefit you can achieve from removing it is if you plan to use adjustable cam gears. Otherwise you are looking at finding the correct parts to delete it (zxtuner no longer sells the delete kit), and you have to get a tune or else you'll throw a CEL.
 
I didn't know they stopped making the vct delete kit. You can make your own if your so inclined and have access to a lathe. There is a drawing floating around somewhere. It's basically a big shoulder washer to take up the space the VCT mechanism does and you also need a longer bolt to feed through it and hold everything in place.
 
I was thinking that I could take the big bell off the cam gear and take out that pump thing inside the head. Doesn't sound hard at all.

So far this Zetec of mine is running awesome... It pays to ask questions and figure things out before doing anything... So far no engine check lights coming on and I am starting to trust my timing job now lol.
 
Eric2.0 said:
I was thinking that I could take the big bell off the cam gear and take out that pump thing inside the head. Doesn't sound hard at all.

So far this Zetec of mine is running awesome... It pays to ask questions and figure things out before doing anything... So far no engine check lights coming on and I am starting to trust my timing job now lol.
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Seriously don't touch the VCT unless you have to (e.g. for aftermarket cam gears). It does well to keep your MPG up and you are only asking for trouble if you are going to remove it the way you are speaking. I'm pretty sure it only gets used when you are decelerating anyway so why remove it?
 
Nah, probably will not. I just wanted to know more about things, because it's interesting. This motor is running so smooth and tough now that I don't want to touch anything so may as well quit while I am ahead. Just got back from another 100 mile trip to the city. Still running great.
 
Eric2.0 said:
Nah, probably will not. I just wanted to know more about things, because it's interesting. This motor is running so smooth and tough now that I don't want to touch anything so may as well quit while I am ahead. Just got back from another 100 mile trip to the city. Still running great.
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I have documentation on how exactly VCT works. I'll see if I can dig it up and then I'll PM it to you :)
 
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