Grp N timing & 197 cams - real life usability

[Pegasaurus Rex]

Hi guys,
So not wishing to muddy the thread around power charts with this setup. My car is due it’s big service next year. So I’m thinking ahead as to maybe upgrading to 197 cams, machined inlets, Grp N timing and fully mapped.

However I have a question around usability in the real world. My 182 is a weekend toy, not a stripped out track monkey. That said whilst I like the idea of a slight uplift in power, I don’t want to ruin the car. So wondered what real life usability was like? What issues others have found running this set up for a predominantly road car? I’m happy to keep the car ‘as is’ but given I’m on from a chunky bill next year; thought I would consider all other options.

thanks

Russ

 

[JamesBryan]

197 cams and GrpN timing are two different things, just so you know.

GrpN is for stock cams with the intake cam advanced and the exhaust cam retarded.

197 cams it's only (usually) the intake cam which is advanced, usually 7-8 degrees.

In both cases you are moving the power band up, so low down power will be reduced.

 

[Pegasaurus Rex]

197 cams and GrpN timing are two different things, just so you know.

GrpN is for stock cams with the intake cam advanced and the exhaust cam retarded.

197 cams it's only (usually) the intake cam which is advanced, usually 7-8 degrees.

In both cases you are moving the power band up, so low down power will be reduced.

Thanks I understand that, hence why I said 197 cams and Grp N timing. I also understand that you love the power up the range. Which has a compromised effect low down. But in reality how does this relate to real life use on an occasional car. I’m not hunting power currently, but a smidge more would be welcome. But absolutely not to the detriment of usability or reliability.

 

[JamesBryan]

Thanks I understand that, hence why I said 197 cams and Grp N timing. I also understand that you love the power up the range. Which has a compromised effect low down. But in reality how does this relate to real life use on an occasional car. I’m not hunting power currently, but a smidge more would be welcome. But absolutely not to the detriment of usability or reliability.

I've not driven GrpN one but I have driven a mates 197 cammed and pistons which made 201bhp and it drives absolutely fine.

 

[Eddie555]

Mine is a 197 cammed car.. On the odd occasion that i drive it on the roads. Bored/road testing after breaking it fixing it repeat.. I find that it has no real detrimental effects to driveability. I can see that if its just as a weekend blaster then it'll only add more smiles per miles when you hit the B'roads for some fun.. Just get it done and dont worry about it.

Sent from my SM-G977B using Tapatalk

 

[Mcaff]

Mine is 8 degrees 197 cams mapped ecu from EFI.
The only negative I’ve found is if it’s not properly warmed up it doesn’t idle very well until warm, it’s cut out on me a couple of times at the lights until it’s warm.
Mine also is just a summer/weekend car so doesn’t get used daily. It noticeably pulls better through the gears, it ran a healthy 189.5bhp a couple of weeks ago definitely a worthwhile upgrade if you are doing the belts etc anyway

 

[Mcaff]

Thanks I understand that, hence why I said 197 cams and Grp N timing. I also understand that you love the power up the range. Which has a compromised effect low down. But in reality how does this relate to real life use on an occasional car. I’m not hunting power currently, but a smidge more would be welcome. But absolutely not to the detriment of usability or reliability.

In reply to the lower down power feeling compromised, I don’t think I’ve noticed that on mine. It might be my style of driving but I’m either just pootling around so not using power low down anyway or if I’m driving quick I’m going through the gears so I’m up in the Rev range where the power is. I’ve never noticed a compromise in my experience.

 

[scullyg40]

I've not driven GrpN one but I have driven a mates 197 cammed and pistons which made 201bhp and it drives absolutely fine.

So that's 201 bhp with just 197 cams, 197 pistons and a remap? 😲

 

[JamesBryan]

So that's 201 bhp with just 197 cams, 197 pistons and a remap? 😲

197 injectors too, but yeah essentially.