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Will a Billet HD VX Camshaft and Free Flow Exhaust help offset Driving Tortoise Torture?

Nordica

Member
Joined
Jun 22, 2021
Location
Denver, CO
My very pristine 1993 245 Auto tranny is a dream to drive. However, any elevation and specially mountain passes here in Colorado are just too steep. Dropping her speed from say, 75 mph to 50mph in nano-seconds. Thus making any spirited driving feel more like driving tortoise torture. To offset this, I want to ask your opinion please: Will a Billet HD VX Street Performance Camshaft help improve power delivery and hopefully gain her some top speed? And in combination with a High Flow Stainless Steel Sport Exhaust maybe increase any horsepower? How much do you think those two items will gain? And more importantly, will I notice any difference in real driving performance, and not just in hearing imagined one. Or will both additions be a waste of money, time and effort? Thank you!
 
No. VX is a trash cam. Ipd turbo cam if you want easy. Better yet, get the NA V15 or V16 from enem. KL racing intake manifold and 2.5” exhaust from the secondary merge is also a good idea. Not sure whether anyone does chips for NA cars at this point. That’s about all you can do for easy 8v NA power mods before you have to think about getting a more serious cylinder head and high compression pistons.
 
I would go with something like and A, B, D or V cam. Combine that with a 4-2-1 manifold and a 2.5inch exhaust system. That is what you need for the mid range power you are lacking.

A lot of other advice you are being given here is for peak power and that is not what you sound to be asking for
 
The T cam in my auto NA 244 made a yuge difference, especially at highway speeds, it makes using 3rd actually possible since the M cam falls flat on its face at 3k rpms. The thing you'll want to consider is where you want power. Do you want power at 2500-3000 rpms or 5000rpms. Considering you're just looking to get up hills a little easier, I think a T, A or B cam and an EZK chip will make you really happy. The downsides of a performance exhaust don't match the gains on an an NA car imo. Snag a T cam for $40 and try it out.

edit for more info overload: Your engine has a static compression ratio, but also a dynamic compression ratio, since valve overlap and valve timing affects how much the cylinder is actually compressing at a given RPM. Since you're looking for NA midrange power at altitude, I'd pick a cam with low overlap matched with higher lift. Adjusting your ignition timing with a chip could also be a worthwhile test if you're okay with running 91 octane. I wouldn't be surprised if your car would feel slower at 2500-3000rpms with a VX cam at altitude.
 
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Both Sbabbs and Redblockpowered offer n/a chips. I've been using the EZK chip from sbabbs for a few years now and it's improved how the engine runs all around. More power, better mileage, and smoother running. A win all around.
 
No. VX is a trash cam. Ipd turbo cam if you want easy. Better yet, get the NA V15 or V16 from enem. KL racing intake manifold and 2.5” exhaust from the secondary merge is also a good idea. Not sure whether anyone does chips for NA cars at this point. That’s about all you can do for easy 8v NA power mods before you have to think about getting a more serious cylinder head and high compression pistons.
Thank you for your feedback. BTW in awe of your posts and love the PIG's engine bay picture.
So from your answers above I take that iPD's VX cam is no good but their Turbo cam application for my 93 sleeping auto is the way to go?
Also from you and "dl242gt" recommend, I'd be inclined to choose a enem V15T cam instead. Much appreciated.
 
I would go with something like and A, B, D or V cam. Combine that with a 4-2-1 manifold and a 2.5inch exhaust system. That is what you need for the mid range power you are lacking.

A lot of other advice you are being given here is for peak power and that is not what you sound to be asking for
You are correct, I am mostly looking forward to increase and gain mid power range. So I guess I'll need to identify differences in types of cams. But truly am very appreciative of all the answers as I am being schooled in the process. Really love to learn.
 
The T cam in my auto NA 244 made a yuge difference, especially at highway speeds, it makes using 3rd actually possible since the M cam falls flat on its face at 3k rpms. The thing you'll want to consider is where you want power. Do you want power at 2500-3000 rpms or 5000rpms. Considering you're just looking to get up hills a little easier, I think a T, A or B cam and an EZK chip will make you really happy. The downsides of a performance exhaust don't match the gains on an an NA car imo. Snag a T cam for $40 and try it out.

edit for more info overload: Your engine has a static compression ratio, but also a dynamic compression ratio, since valve overlap and valve timing affects how much the cylinder is actually compressing at a given RPM. Since you're looking for NA midrange power at altitude, I'd pick a cam with low overlap matched with higher lift. Adjusting your ignition timing with a chip could also be a worthwhile test if you're okay with running 91 octane. I wouldn't be surprised if your car would feel slower at 2500-3000rpms with a VX cam at altitude.
Pardon me, what is a T cam. Is it a Turbo cam? I do want power at 2500-3000 rpms. And where can I get said T cam. I am very interested.
Currently running 91 octane regardless, due to better detergents.
From your comments, and others, a EZK chip will be the way to go as well.
Is the T cam low overlap and higher lift?

Comments here are priceless. Thank you all.
 
Both Sbabbs and Redblockpowered offer n/a chips. I've been using the EZK chip from sbabbs for a few years now and it's improved how the engine runs all around. More power, better mileage, and smoother running. A win all around.
Can't find Sbabbs website. but I am following your comments and recommendations with great interest. Thank you!
 
15 horsepower... maximum with the camshaft (regardless what you choose) and exhaust upgrades. NA applications to make power require lots of airflow and RPM. How much heartbreak are you good for?

I know the NA purists will disagree and of course, with supporting mods (head porting, high lift cam, much raised rev limit, headers), much higher power output is possible.... but for someone bolting on a T cam and a 2.5" exhaust, you're not going to be adding that much power in reality.

The 8-valve 240 isn't a great NA platform. The moment you start pushing power through it, the ancillaries start to make their presence known... like the auto transmission... especially if it's the weak aw70 found commonly on 240's.


My advice would be to turbocharge the car... a solid 50+ horsepower makes for a hell of an upgrade to a daily driver that isn't going to see more than 7-8psi of boost on a stock smallish turbo. You'd probably have to upgrade the slushbox to an aw71 to keep pace with the added power.

If turbocharging seems too much of a stretch (btw... it could be accomplished in a weekend... or a day... if you have all the stuff) then in addition to the higher lift cam and a free-er exhaust, you might consider the "accumulator mod" to your automatic transmission. (not sure if you have the aw70 or aw71 (71 is better)... but a faster shifting transmission will not only extend the life of its clutch packs, but make for a much sportier ride. Can be done in or out of the car.

link to accumulator mod.

Food for thought.
 
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Since you’re at altitude you really need to increase compression. Either by shaving the head or a turbo.

1mm/0.040” off the head and a B cam would be a huge help, but you’ll have to rev it out some.

Honestly a turbo swap might be the perfect solution since you’re at such a high elevation.
 
And higher revs and the automatic trans aren't really great together. Most N/A hp gains are made by making torque at higher RPM's, making more torque down low usally involves larger changes to the motor (like stroker cranks, bigger pistons, more displacement), not really practical. And the gains from a cam swap aren't going to be all that noticeable in that situation, the motor just isn't very strangled at lower RPM's from the factory.

So yeah, look into a +t. Try to avoid the 'just a few more HP' scope creep, and a low boost motor will add a nice non-laggy low stressed extra 50 hp, and the motor will still last nearly forever.

Until you get the desire to make YUUUUGE aitch peas and raise the boost up up and away.
 
Pardon me, what is a T cam. Is it a Turbo cam? I do want power at 2500-3000 rpms. And where can I get said T cam. I am very interested.
Currently running 91 octane regardless, due to better detergents.
From your comments, and others, a EZK chip will be the way to go as well.
Is the T cam low overlap and higher lift?

Comments here are priceless. Thank you all.
T cam is the stock cam that came in all turbo redblock Volvos, at least in the USA. It also came in some of the non turbo B230K motors in Europe so I've been told. You can find them in junkyards, or here on the forum. Post a wanted ad for a T cam, they're pretty cheap since a lot of people want to upgrade their turbos. The camshaft shifts the power band around, I feel like the T cam matches the automatic, much better than an M which your car has. Sbabbs doesn't have a website, that's just his user name here, I'd send him a message to see if he still has some non turbo EZK chips. You'll need an EZK box that accepts chips. You can make one accept chips with a daughter board if you're okay with soldering, or you can buy one from Red Block Powered https://www.redblockpowered.com/shop/p/chippable-ezk he also has the daughter boards if you want to do it yourself.

I wouldn't do a turbo swap immediately, it's good power but a lot of work. I agree with 740atl's sentiment, you're not going to get a 30% bump in power from B230F without headwork and a camshaft that shifts the power band outside of the 2500-3500rpm that you're going to see in normal driving, but you will notice an improvement with a mild cam and EZK chip. If you're still not happy after that you can look into a +t and at that point you'd already have the turbo camshaft and a chippable EZK, so it's worth a shot imo.
 
My very pristine 1993 245 Auto tranny is a dream to drive. However, any elevation and specially mountain passes here in Colorado are just too steep. Dropping her speed from say, 75 mph to 50mph in nano-seconds. Thus making any spirited driving feel more like driving tortoise torture. To offset this, I want to ask your opinion please: Will a Billet HD VX Street Performance Camshaft help improve power delivery and hopefully gain her some top speed? And in combination with a High Flow Stainless Steel Sport Exhaust maybe increase any horsepower? How much do you think those two items will gain? And more importantly, will I notice any difference in real driving performance, and not just in hearing imagined one. Or will both additions be a waste of money, time and effort? Thank you!
In my 88 b230f all I have done is a V cam. It was a night and day difference, that and don't be afraid to rev it.
 
So most everybody here is going to say "Turbo it". And they aren't wrong really. It IS called turbobricks y'know.....


But there are a few things you can do to a stock NA motor. Before you think about doing a cam or milling the head, there are two things you can do that are cheapish and easy. First is the replacement exhaust from IPD or FCPeuro. It is based around the turbo exhaust system so its bigger than your NA stock exhaust. I'd say since you are in Colorado and see snow, go for the IPD stainless version. https://www.ipdusa.com/products/207...Kit-240-Non-Turbo-Models-for-Volvo-IPD-139511

But if money's tight FCP's aluminized steel exhaust retains both mufflers but is still a larger pipe diameter. https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo-exhaust-system-muffler-kit-240


The second thing to do is to remove the stock crank mounted fan and put it an electric fan. You can get one from a 7/9 or 960 or even 850's I think. Get the shroud, fan, wiring, and relays too. It's pretty easy to cut down the shroud to fit your radiator and trigger the fan with some kind of temperature switch or fan controller you buy at summit or jegs. The fan kills a fair amount of HP on these cars. You'll notice a difference after its gone.

E-fan and turbo (2.25" pipe) exhaust would be the first two mods I'd do. After that I'd go for an A cam or a T cam. A is probably the best paired with an automatic, followed by the T. All the other cams move the power band up beyond where the AW70 has already shifted to a higher gear and you'll never notice the difference unless you mod the transmission.

If that's still not enough you can take the head off, have 1mm milled off it and reinstall. This makes a noticeable difference.

Of course the absolute best course of action is to find a complete turbo swap from a 7/9 somewhere and put that in there. There's no replacement for forced induction at high altitude.
 
Turbo and 15psi will allow you to sustain speeds of 120mph up those passes cost about 800-1000$ Until you go for bigger valves and hog ass cam and all the bells and whistles (2500-7000$) it’s nowhere near that NA
 
Pardon me, what is a T cam. Is it a Turbo cam? I do want power at 2500-3000 rpms. And where can I get said T cam. I am very interested.
Currently running 91 octane regardless, due to better detergents.
From your comments, and others, a EZK chip will be the way to go as well.
Is the T cam low overlap and higher lift?

Comments here are priceless. Thank you all.
Looks like he is a member of the forum. Profile here: https://turbobricks.com/index.php?members/sbabbs.14087/

Maybe send him a DM?
 
Yes the T cam has more lift than the M cam and is a low overlap cam. It is not a performance cam but it is a good cam for a bit more n/a power. Especially with an auto trans.
 
I have a 91 740 NA wagon (Lifted with big tires) and it was a dog getting up the big hills were I live. I would have to go like 50mph in 2nd gear with the stock M cam. With a T-cam it can cruise up the same hills going 70 mph in OD. T-cam is not a performance cam in an NA application, but great for keeping up with modern traffic. T-cam, exhaust and E-fan will make for a great driver.
 
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