Looking for information/experience guys running SC Cams

[BauerR]

I have the opportunity to buy a set of SC cams. My '84 930 is pretty stock, less exhaust, headers and intercooler.

In the future I'd like to upgrade the turbo. Are SC cams worth it? Any down side to running them? Any potential fueling issues?

Thanks

[spuggy]

My wrench, test drove my car while doing the PPI. Discussing, he was all business. Then he paused, developed a far-away expression and a grin. And said, "definitely SC cams - they really wake a 930 up".

SC cams are usually good for 10% more power - but, more to the point, the profile having more lift/overlap gives better response. Both on or off boost.

I liked the characteristics of SC cams so much, I still run them with EFI.

IMO, they won't cause any fueling issues that you don't already have with CIS (like trending lean over 5000 RPM).

[quattrorunner]

If staying cis sc cams are good, but they limit power and revving higher in the rev range for a car with fueling mods ie efi or fuelers. I have efi and I wish I'd have gone 964 or gt evo cam. My car loses puff after 5500rpm and it's a bummer. But when I ran cis and sc cams I really liked them because I was limited by afr and the fuel head....they do have good response.

[flightlead404]

I have SC cams with a bigger turbo, 1.0 bar wastegate and FrankenCIS also controlling the ignition.

Still running CIS and leveraging the frequency valve for mixture control

It's scary fast and plenty rich at high boost.

[boosted79]

SC cams and 2.0 mm cam timing, if you luv mid-range.

[Oheggem]

I have sc cams laying around and not sure if they should go it too.

[zakthor]

I'm a moron. If I wanted flat torque curve I'd drive an electric car. I've driven 3+ cars with sc cams, each had varying mods up to efi and I thought it made the cars more boring-er to drive.

For me the raisin dee ettrah of a 930 is its peaky power surprise.

[RarlyL8]

Ever driven a 911SC? Well adding SC cams to a 930 will give you that same experience, then you hit boost.
I've installed SC cams in every turbo car I've owned and every customer car that is modified for street use. You don't spend much time on boost in a street car and driving around with 912 power is pretty much terrifying when stepping out into traffic. SC cams and tuned headers change the world for off boost torque and drivability.

[Tippy]

3.4L guy here. Originally, my engine had 3.2 cams which are the same as SC. Moved on to 993SS cams chasing that almighty HP. This took away some midrange torque I believe that made the car feel quicker and the engine is much more peaky. I retimed them fully advanced to see if they’d bring back some of this grunt. Couldn’t really tell by the butt dyno. Point is, I agree with everyone, unless an all out race car, the SC cams are great.

[zakthor]

Originally Posted by RarlyL8

Ever driven a 911SC? Well adding SC cams to a 930 will give you that same experience, then you hit boost.
I've installed SC cams in every turbo car I've owned and every customer car that is modified for street use. You don't spend much time on boost in a street car and driving around with 912 power is pretty much terrifying when stepping out into traffic. SC cams and tuned headers change the world for off boost torque and drivability.

Yeah I drove an sc for 11 years. Not peaky, no zip, great sound and feel.

When I got my 930 it had the original usa exhaust with air pump. That was nuts, mousy at low rpm, no power at all and then hard boost surprise. Excruciating at low rpm. Swapped for carrera exhaust and sure it’s lots more drivable but I still sort miss that kooky turbo hit.

I totally agree that the sc cams make the car faster and easier to drive but I think we have too much of that already today. I thought the most powerful 930 I’ve driven was also the most boring.

[krasuskyp]

Transformational. REALLY allows the 4spd to be driven and properly - there's sooo muuuch more tach to be used, it's wondrous. My twinplug crankfire big turbo headers etc '87 pulls HARD alllllll the way to the 6900rpm fuel cut. It's stupendous really.

And, nothhhhhhhhhhing like the cam chop in one of these - esp straightpipe'd. Muwhahahahaa.

Nike.

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by RarlyL8

You don't spend much time on boost in a street car

Yeh, what he said.

1.2 bar is single-digit second times from freeway merge to "arrest driver/impound vehicle". With 2 gears left unused on a 5-speed.

Bragging rights or purpose-built cars aside, it seems odd (to me, anyway), to optimize everything towards a scenario (WOT, full boost to peak, shift, repeat until out of gears) that you almost never get to enjoy. Certainly far less than 1% - even with track days.

In comparison, SC cams provide the ability to spot a gap and then just be in it. Something you can actually use. Even on a technical track, SC cams probably work better than a peaky power band - especially with fewer gears.

[spuggy]

Originally Posted by zakthor

Excruciating at low rpm. Swapped for carrera exhaust and sure it’s lots more drivable but I still sort miss that kooky turbo hit.

There's something odd there. US headers are more restrictive than RoW, so slow spool and limit peak HP - but it's the 3DLZ that provides both the massive lag and the turbo hit, IMHO. Kind of sounds like yours isn't building boost to me.

When I got my 930/60, it had SC cams, RoW headers/open exhaust, factory intercooler & 3DLZ. And the light switch powerband was very, very obvious. In fact, power would hit so abruptly that even with 30mm TBs in the back, the cowl would be right there.

If you like the big hit, you can get the same effect with an oversized turbo - but the 3DLZ should do it, even with RoW headers/open exhaust and SC cams - mine did.

[RarlyL8]

I totally agree that the sc cams make the car faster and easier to drive but I think we have too much of that already today. I thought the most powerful 930 I’ve driven was also the most boring.

The difference between sticking a set of SC cams in a 930 and modern turbo cars with full EFI engine management are worlds apart. Even with SC cams, headers and a K27-7200 you don't get full boost until 3000rpm. That instant 100ft/lb hit will break the tires loose. I used to do that all the time in the red rocket in second gear. I'm not understanding your situation, it's not typical. Want a crazy boost hit? Slap on a K29 with OE Euro heat exchangers, that aught to do it!

[quattrorunner]

The answer to your question if running cis is no there is no downside. It’s a common upgrade and it’s a good upgrade. Even on cis it’s a responsive upgrade.

[sundevil64]

Ran SC cams with stock CIS, headers and a K27HFS. It was a lot of fun from mid rpms up to about 5800. It provided great fireball action.
Now running Elgin SC 330 cams with a GT35R. It is better across the entire range. No more fireball, though.

[tops911]

I'm thinking I'd really like an SC 330 cam in my car.

[David]

I'm running 964 cams with EFI and I'm getting tired of such a peaky engine so I'm thinking about putting SC cams back in along with a little smaller turbo.

Make sure the SC cams you're looking at are set up to drive the turbo oil pump.

[flightlead404]

wrt: the turbo hit

In my car, with SC cams, 1.0 bar wastegate, K27/29 hybrid turbo, and TK Longneck 1/2 bay intercooler, and a FrankenCIS controlling mixture and ignition I get good off boost driving, but I still have a MASSIVE turbo hit. When I hit 2,700 rpm it starts to come on and by 3,100 or so I'm at full boost. Because I'm able to advance my ignition much further and have much better control over it than with a dizzy I have much more power on tap.

The boost hit in 2nd is insane. Full throttle I can't shift in and out of 2nd gear fast enough.

and I'm still CIS

[trials935]

What is the cam timing set at with SC cams? Looking for good low and mid range, my 964 cams have no low end, but has tremendous mid and high.