Cam choice - Mg vs ph2
Turbo Mini Forums

Been thinking about my build, T3, 1380, about 17psi, looking for 170hp thereabouts.
And i havent found a direct comparison between the Phase 2 and the MG n/a cam.
I already have an N/A cam that i was going to use, but, will an MG struggle to make the power i'm after?
Is there any point in changing to a PH2 as opposed to the MG in my instance?

Cheers.

I,m no expert, but I think at that power level its more about the head and a decent exhaust than a choice between those two cams

I'm already decided im going to spend plenty on a head, and going stainless 2" bore all the way through from a ported cast elbow with a single silencer. And do a bit of porting on the cast manifold itself.
Just while the thought was in my mind i thought i'd ask the question :)

Edited by Carlzilla on 3rd Jan, 2012.

ive had both however in very different engines and turbos,i am certain the ph2 whould be better in my engine now but the mg cam currently in it doesn't disappoint

i bunged the mg cam in because i had it so much the same choice your having atm

i think it will crack 170 on the mg cam with a good head but with the mg cam the engine falls on its face at 6500rpm but that could me due to any number of things

Yes i moved to the darkside

Instagram @jdm_brett

go for the phase 2 it will just keep pulling and pulling... one well known turbo french gent! on here once described it as a hungry lion ....and he was right.

on a well set up engine it will produce 30% more power than the MG cam depending on the rest of the spec ...etc ?

Well, as a rough guide, sccr box, sc drops, 3.1diff, omega cast pistons ( i think theyre 11cc ) C/R to suit the boost pressures (will probably run a touch on the conservative side) Ultralight steel fly, balanced crank, std (maybe polished) A+ rods, As good as spec 5 port head as i deem necessary as i dont want to skimp on that, either std or 1.3 roller rockers, cossie 4wd intercooler, bov, megajolt, will run a wideband to keep an eyeball on things and i'll probably run it about the 120hp mark for most road driving and turn it up when i feel the need. Basically as much as a bombproof engine as is possible without going into silly figures if that makes sense. If the PH2 is significantly noticable over the MG ill probably shell out for one, but that's what i'd like to know!

I think 30% may be a bit of an optimistic estimate Steve. Going on personal experience I would say more torque at lower rpm with the MG but slightly more legs with the phase 2. I reckon the phase 2 bought us 10-15bhp on the van over the MG cam.

If something is worth doing, it's worth doing half of.

30% with a spud up the exhaust maybe...

depending on the rest of the spec ...etc ? .................................................................................... ?

if i can get a cheap ph2 i may do back to back tests with it end of year

Yes i moved to the darkside

Instagram @jdm_brett

Big difference between the MG and the PH2 cams. Lift, duration and LSA are all very different.

I would have thought that the MG was a little too limiting on a 1380, but then you are not going to allow the engine to rev much with a T3 anyway.

How about something in between like the RE130T or an MD274?

Edited by Paul S on 5th Jan, 2012.

Saul Bellow - "A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need for illusion is deep."
Stephen Hawking - "The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge."

While building the engine I would always go for the best available, otherwise when it makes 165bhp you ll wish you chose the ph2, only joking, but the the mg metro cams make decent money I would sell and get a ph2, personal opinion. Though.

Audi s4 b5 - 470bhp & 486ft lbs

On 30th Apr, 2012 Brett said:
yeah stick the bit in and give it a wobble

Thanks lads, gives me something else to look at and spend money on at some point!
Do avonbar do regrinds? I have the old mg cam too, which has identical inlet and exhaust duration (i think its duration?) as the later n/a cam's inlet.

Yes i moved to the darkside

Instagram @jdm_brett

I have a fresh grind ph2 brett but would want it replacing. Didn't Avonbar have an offer on ph2's?

If something is worth doing, it's worth doing half of.

Saul Bellow - "A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need for illusion is deep."
Stephen Hawking - "The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge."

The PH2 is becoming ever more preferable to me at the moment. It'd be nice to see a comparison between the two as i still think the MG will deliver the goods. Im not fussed about an extra 5hp, 10 or 15 might make it worthwhile as long as the torque remains there at lower boost pressures and from low-mid RPM range, as that's where it'll be used mostly. I can't see myself being able to drive it like my old n/a 1275 where it needed to pull to 5500rpm to go anywhere.

Any suggestions of a cam which the criteria paul?

Talking gt17/gt20 equipped 1380.

Edited by John on 5th Jan, 2012.

If something is worth doing, it's worth doing half of.

Edited by Paul S on 5th Jan, 2012.

Saul Bellow - "A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need for illusion is deep."
Stephen Hawking - "The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge."

Hmm interestings.
Thanks Paul.

If something is worth doing, it's worth doing half of.

a kent 266 cam very good puller 260 inlet 270 ex duration 320 and 330 valve lift,
power band 1000 to 6500 rpm timed in at 106
T3 tone fitted one some years ago and he loved it 180 bhp @ 13psi on a T3

flexible as well............. anyway my car is a 1380 on a phase 2 and it pulls quite well