96 940 Turbo Cam Upgrade

Thejdizzler · Sep 16th, 2020, 20:48

Hey all,

I am looking for advice on a cam upgrade. I have been reading a lot and heard a bit of contrasting info. I have 96 2.3 turbo manual, running 10 psi with standard cam which I believe would be the M cam? Which cam would everyone recommend to give a bit more oomph. The car is not a daily driver and I usually take it out for a blast in the country at the weekend so I’m not too concerned about losing response at lower rpms, which I have heard can happen with certain cams. From what I have read the A Cam, B Cam and V Cam have all been recommended but not sure if one would be more suitable than the others? I know they are all stock Volvo cams so I am not expecting a massive change in performance but I think it is still worth upgrading from what I have read. I have also seen IPD sell a turbo cam but I think that may be overkill for what I want at the moment. Also if anyone has a Cam for sale let me know as they don’t seem too readily available from doing a quick search on Google.

classicswede · Sep 16th, 2020, 21:44

The cam you have will be the T cam but just as poor as the M

If you are still using a 13c turbo then going to a A cam is hot as you want to go, ideally you want to upgrade to a more suitable size turbo and then go with a better cam again

Laird Scooby · Sep 16th, 2020, 23:18

I'd go for the V cam myself, 11.37mm lift on both inlet and exhaust and a longer duration with earlier opening. This would cope well with what you already have and would be good prep for a bigger turbo.
The T cam you curently have is 9.93mm lift and opens 7 degrees later than the V cam - longer duration is good for turbos as it gives a longer time to get the mixture in, likewise the equal lifts on both inlet and exhaust and the higher lift allows more flow.

Up to you though, you may decide to wait until you get a bigger turbo first and then decide which way you're going to go.

deeman940 · Sep 17th, 2020, 01:53

IPD Turbo Camshaft or KL Racing are the most common upgrades for a B230 running circa 300 bhp

360beast · Sep 17th, 2020, 06:21

Just a side note, Colton on drifts and lifts on youtube has done rolling road tuning with the variable cam gear with an IPD turbo cam, he has found the best position is... the stock Volvo one! So don't waste your money on the cam gear either as Volvo got it right.

Thejdizzler · Sep 17th, 2020, 07:20

Thanks for everyone’s advice. I will probably go for a V cam as I think they sound good and seem a bit more available than an A cam. Also good point about the adjustable timing gear as I would have definitely bought one so now I don’t need to bother with that!

360beast · Sep 17th, 2020, 10:54

I'm sure this is the video he says about the cam gear

https://youtu.be/ns9Xt5jU7J4

Thejdizzler · Sep 18th, 2020, 06:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by 360beast

I'm sure this is the video he says about the cam gear

https://youtu.be/ns9Xt5jU7J4

Yeah I watched it last night and he does mention it. I forgot I had seen it before.

Chooch84 · Sep 18th, 2020, 13:50

Any cam that produces power on a Naturally asprirated engine will produce power on a turbo engine. So basically any cam that isn't the T & M cam will be a move forward, don't fall for the marketing guff. Adjustable cam gears are actually handy depending on how you where you want your power curves to land. The Volvo VX3 cam is a VX cam with 3 degree's advanced cam timing IIRC. Here's a useful link, if you want some more cam info click here.

classicswede · Sep 18th, 2020, 19:48

That is not really correct. Cams with turbos are far more complex than cams for NA to get working right and the smaller the turbo the more critical cam choice is.

Typically a turbo cam will want a wider LSA as you want less intake/exhaust overlap. On a NA engine the overlap allows the intake charge to flush out the last of the exhaust charge. Turbo engine tend not to be able to use the overlap. With a small turbo that is restrictive to flow too much overlap with cause problems charge contamination making the engine lumpy. To make things worse in this aspect long duration cams have the low rpm improved by running higher compression, in turbo engines the compression really needs to stay low

I have tried a lot of cams and turbo combinations. The 13c can not use anything more than a A cam without drastically suffering low and mid range power.
Even with something like a T3 or 19t cams like the VX/VX3 do not make good low or mid range power.

Sep 16th, 2020, 20:48	#1
Thejdizzler Junior Member Last Online: Sep 5th, 2023 21:04 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Leeds	96 940 Turbo Cam Upgrade Hey all, I am looking for advice on a cam upgrade. I have been reading a lot and heard a bit of contrasting info. I have 96 2.3 turbo manual, running 10 psi with standard cam which I believe would be the M cam? Which cam would everyone recommend to give a bit more oomph. The car is not a daily driver and I usually take it out for a blast in the country at the weekend so I’m not too concerned about losing response at lower rpms, which I have heard can happen with certain cams. From what I have read the A Cam, B Cam and V Cam have all been recommended but not sure if one would be more suitable than the others? I know they are all stock Volvo cams so I am not expecting a massive change in performance but I think it is still worth upgrading from what I have read. I have also seen IPD sell a turbo cam but I think that may be overkill for what I want at the moment. Also if anyone has a Cam for sale let me know as they don’t seem too readily available from doing a quick search on Google.

Sep 16th, 2020, 21:44	#2
classicswede Trader Volvo in my veins Last Online: Yesterday 22:57 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Anglesey	The cam you have will be the T cam but just as poor as the M If you are still using a 13c turbo then going to a A cam is hot as you want to go, ideally you want to upgrade to a more suitable size turbo and then go with a better cam again __________________ http://www.classicswede.org www.classicswede.co.uk

Sep 16th, 2020, 23:18	#3
Laird Scooby Premier Member Last Online: Today 08:43 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Lakenheath	I'd go for the V cam myself, 11.37mm lift on both inlet and exhaust and a longer duration with earlier opening. This would cope well with what you already have and would be good prep for a bigger turbo. The T cam you curently have is 9.93mm lift and opens 7 degrees later than the V cam - longer duration is good for turbos as it gives a longer time to get the mixture in, likewise the equal lifts on both inlet and exhaust and the higher lift allows more flow. Up to you though, you may decide to wait until you get a bigger turbo first and then decide which way you're going to go. __________________ Cheers Dave Next Door to Top-Gun with a Honda CR-V & S Type Jag Volvo gone but not forgotten........

Sep 18th, 2020, 13:50	#9
Chooch84 940 Noob Last Online: Yesterday 19:52 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Birmingham	Any cam that produces power on a Naturally asprirated engine will produce power on a turbo engine. So basically any cam that isn't the T & M cam will be a move forward, don't fall for the marketing guff. Adjustable cam gears are actually handy depending on how you where you want your power curves to land. The Volvo VX3 cam is a VX cam with 3 degree's advanced cam timing IIRC. Here's a useful link, if you want some more cam info click here. __________________ 96 945 Classic 2.3 LPT with some mods... To do: Install upper brace, Catch can, install sound deadening (50% done), Fit electric leather seats, repaint! List is endless... 16 BMW 330e Last edited by Chooch84; Sep 18th, 2020 at 13:52.

Sep 18th, 2020, 19:48	#10
classicswede Trader Volvo in my veins Last Online: Yesterday 22:57 Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Anglesey	That is not really correct. Cams with turbos are far more complex than cams for NA to get working right and the smaller the turbo the more critical cam choice is. Typically a turbo cam will want a wider LSA as you want less intake/exhaust overlap. On a NA engine the overlap allows the intake charge to flush out the last of the exhaust charge. Turbo engine tend not to be able to use the overlap. With a small turbo that is restrictive to flow too much overlap with cause problems charge contamination making the engine lumpy. To make things worse in this aspect long duration cams have the low rpm improved by running higher compression, in turbo engines the compression really needs to stay low I have tried a lot of cams and turbo combinations. The 13c can not use anything more than a A cam without drastically suffering low and mid range power. Even with something like a T3 or 19t cams like the VX/VX3 do not make good low or mid range power. __________________ http://www.classicswede.org www.classicswede.co.uk

Sep 17th, 2020, 01:53	#4
deeman940 Master Member Last Online: Apr 4th, 2024 17:58 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: watford	IPD Turbo Camshaft or KL Racing are the most common upgrades for a B230 running circa 300 bhp

Sep 17th, 2020, 06:21	#5
360beast Go redblock or go home Last Online: Today 08:27 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: UK	Just a side note, Colton on drifts and lifts on youtube has done rolling road tuning with the variable cam gear with an IPD turbo cam, he has found the best position is... the stock Volvo one! So don't waste your money on the cam gear either as Volvo got it right.

Sep 17th, 2020, 07:20	#6
Thejdizzler Junior Member Last Online: Sep 5th, 2023 21:04 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Leeds	Thanks for everyone’s advice. I will probably go for a V cam as I think they sound good and seem a bit more available than an A cam. Also good point about the adjustable timing gear as I would have definitely bought one so now I don’t need to bother with that!

Sep 17th, 2020, 10:54	#7
360beast Go redblock or go home Last Online: Today 08:27 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: UK	I'm sure this is the video he says about the cam gear https://youtu.be/ns9Xt5jU7J4

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