Is it worth the +/-$150 for an adjustable cam pulley for a stock 2.3? It will have a header and open air filter element, but otherwise stock. I'm not building a performance machine and as far as I know, the head has not been milled so is there any good reason for me to spend the $$$? Would the extra few degrees of advance make any difference?
Maybe the better question is WHAT if any cam advance or retard is beneficial to the (otherwise stock) 2.3 engine. IF..., there is a consensus for a specific amount of change then you can buy a $10 offset key and accomplish the same thing that the adjustable pulley would.
Adjustable pulleys are fine if you are building an all out race engine and can afford to spend a small fortune on a dyno to extract every bit of power. Any gain on a stock engine will likely be small - in general. But you may find for smog reasons changes of 4 degrees (or slightly more) MIGHT be helpful. You really need to hear from someone who has tinkered with the engine a lot.
Thank you for the reply...definitely not going to be an all out race engine...in fact, with the ultra-short wheelbase and low weight of what I'm building, probably less power is better. I think I will stay with the stock pulley and just try to make it start and run dependably.
I HAVE A RACE ENGENEERING CAM PULLEY ON MY CUSTOM GROUND ERSON CAM.I CUT OUT THE CAM COVER FOR EASY ADJUSTMENT , IT WAS PRETTY REASONABLE WHEN I BOUGHT IT ,EVERYTHING HAS GONE UP NOW.LOOKS COOL THOUGH.
Sure does look cool!
Not sure about a 2.3 but on a 2.0 advancing the cam about 4-6 degrees makes a lot of difference in low end torque.
But if you do opt for an adjustable pulley do get a steel one rather than an alloy..
Check with racer walsh about getting one.
Also since the timing marks on a 2.0 arent located on the belt cover i just run without one
WATS THE DEAL WITH ALLOY CAM GEARS ? I'VE BEEN RUNNING MINE FOR OVER 6 YRS AND 2 BELT CHANGES AND STILL LOOKS LIKE NEW.
Not sure about alloy pulleys..
I had one go south in abour 5000 miles...
Teeth just wore out... rounded off and started eating belts
Racer walsh replaced it with a steel one and no problems since