The death of VCT

[mtfoyre]

On my car anyway ;)

Hoping to order the Esslinger cam gears and VCT adapter around 2/1. One thing I'd like to know is, do any of you know of a way to NOT get a CEL when using this? I'll be getting a custom, dyno-tuned flip-chip at the same time. Maybe you've heard of StreetFlight (the place making the Duratec turbo) - that's where I'm getting the chip.

I've already taken a gander at the program itself. One thing I noticed was the ability to turn EGR on or off. Since VCT = complicated EGR I'm wondering if this will make the computer ignore it.

Granted, I could simply have the chip set up to not throw a CEL, but then it won't do it no matter what goes wrong. Kinda dangerous.

I have a VCT-related CEL right now. As soon as the light comes on, the car goes into "limp mode" and anything below 3k sucks. I fail to see how having a CEL + adjustable cam gears will get any extra power if limp mode activates. Kind of like "two steps forward one step back".

Any tips?

[WHITEZETEC]

hey try the unorthodox camgears(spmotorsports) and look at zx2racing.com for the adapter as you will be replacing the vct and you will need an adapter for the either the intake or the exhaust camgear(cant remeber which:confused;) anyway just a thought

[headwig]

adapter for the exhaust cam gear

[mtfoyre]

Yeah, the adapter is for the exhaust cam gear to take VCT out of the equation. Problem is, there's a note at the bottom of the description that states "will cause the service light to illuminate". Service light = CEL. If I throw a CEL and the car goes into limp mode, how is that beneficial??? I need a way to convince the PCM that VCT never existed.

[TheNinja]

i dunno about this said "limp mode" all it does it throw a code to the obd2... nutin' special. And get that code read and then get your a perf chip burned to ignore it... simple fix ;) some people have gotten about 20hp out of the cam gears! (with vct out of the way better power distrubution toooo ;D)

[mtfoyre]

Actually, you're wrong. It is something special (at least with my code). I'm lucky enough to have access to a shop (Street Flight) and can tell you for a fact that when I throw the VCT code I have right now, my PCM defaults to a limp table. Now, I'm not sure what code it will throw with VCT bypassed. It may only go into limp mode on certain VCT-related codes.

I know that after resetting the code, I get about 5 minutes of non-CEL driving before it lights back up. During the time the CEL is off, my car runs great below 3k. Immediately after the CEL comes on, the car falls flat on its face below 3k. It's obviously a limp mode table.

I have several alternatives, but none leave me with the ability to have no CEL due to the VCT adapter and still able to throw a code if something else goes wrong. Ah well......I'll just have to continue my research as the chip and cam gears purchase is just a couple days away.

20 HP, eh?! I friggin' hope I get half that!! LOL

[TheTampaZX2]

Yeah, like said the putting a cam gear on the Exhaust side w/ VCT will throw a light. But you have to remember the whole point of Cam gears is to Tune the powerband to Your liking. Once you install the cam gears, I would suggest some Dyno time so you can SEE your powerband and make adjustments to your taste. The time on a Dyno is WORTH it.

But to answer the main question. You will get a CEL, but it won't effect you in any way because w/ both cam gears in you have CONTROL. If it bothers you pull the bulb, thats all I can say.

[mtfoyre]

The chip & cam gears will be tuned on the dyno. I already have that worked out. Instead of pulling the bulb, we can simply turn the MIL off via the chip. Of course I'd rather not do that, but it's looking like my only real option.