Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Maintenance So what first? Cams or Cam gears?

What are the advantages of both? I assume aftermarket gears allow you to adjust timing which is good. And the Cams have a longer valve open duration, I'm guessing? So which would be better to get first? I'm thinking gears. Will I need to replace the valve cover gasket when I replace the cams? TIA

I don't know what would get you more HP, but I think I would just save up a little more money and do both at the same time. Also yes, you do have to replace the valve cover gasket, any time you take the cover off.
I know iam not much help but its my $0.02

Laer Nick

Cam gears are a waste of time and money on the Zetec. The EEC takes the Cam TDC from a spur on the shaft itself and the crankshaft sensor provides engine information. The EEC changes the timing.

If you offset the TDC and crankshaft then the computer will correct

They do look good though. Save the money and get a good programmable chip instead which will let you really change the timing at variable amounts rather than a single fixed amount

I've seen too many dyno plots from Focus guys that say otherwise. Sport Compact Car installed exhaust and intake gears on their project Focus and were very happy with the results.

I think the two will go hand in hand. Get the cams and gears, then fine tune the new cam with the gears on the dyno. I think that's how you'll see the best gains. See page 2 here. I have 1 cam gear but I'm too much of a pu55y to install it myself.

Cam timing has nothing to do with ignition timing Mr. Mole. The timing pick up for the ignition is on the crank because it needs to know TDC of the piston, again which has no direct companionship with the cam posisions. The ECU has no control over cam timing at all unlees the car has some sort of variable valve control such as VTEC. Manually setting the cam timing will move the TQ/HP curve up or down in the RPM band to match the rest of the set up of the motor and corresponding mods.

My vote if you must do one now, cams first, then fine tune with the gears. Both at the same time would be better yet.

Good info from everyone thanks. BTW, here is some info from Esslinger. I emailed them regarding purchase and what not, and heres how it went.

My message,
I'm looking to purchase the Esslinger Cam Gears and later the Esslinger
STREET cams. Can the Cam gears be used with the stock cams? And should I
run into any problems installing these on a Contour Zetec engine? Also,
when I buy the Street cams do I need to buy ONE set of the lash caps or TWO
sets of lash caps. Thanks in advance for your time.

Sincerely,

Brad A Wilson

Their Reply:

"Brad,
The Esslinger cam gears can be used with the stock cams. There can be a
6-12hp increase on a stock motor. You should not run into any problems
installing them on your Contour motor. My reccommendation on the street cams
when you purchase them is to only purchase and install the intake cam. When
the exhaust cam is installed with the intake cam the idle is much lopier and
is fairly rough for street use. We only install both when we are running a
long-tube race header which elimates the catalytic converter. However there
are people who run both on the street who do not mind the erradic idle. When
you order the lash caps you only need to order one set which will cover both
cams if you choose to do them but this is the only way they are sold. You
cannot order just enough for one cam.
Thanks,
Wade@FocusParts"