need help with skunk2 honda cams

so i got a couple of nasty warnings from Skunk2 guys about degreeing in my cams. they said +4/+4 is the quick setup, which is pretty much irrelevent since since the head has been milled 0.020". im looking for someone with history or a degree wheel setup who wants to help me get this these cams in and sorted out. “help” will be reimbursed for their lost time. if that person also has a dyno and can tune an obd1 motor, that would be even better

JDM GSR milled 0.020, Mugen head gasket = 11.4:1 static
Skunk2 Tuner2 cams, Tuner gears, tuner springs/retainers
Skunk2 IM V2 port matched to Skunk2 68mm TB, short ram intake
4-1 header, 2.5" collector, 2.5-2.25 test pipe, Tanabe SMH cat back

any help would be greatly appreciated

Well, for starters it would be a great idea to find the center lines of the new cams. Skunk2 shuld be able to provide you with that. Next, compare the center lines to the OEM specs for your previous cams. That should give you a starting point. Add the intake advance due to milling/shaving to the centerline difference and you have a place to start tuning.

…or are you specifically looking to have someone do this?

Yes, Skunk should have given you the cam specs/centerlines with the cams. Or did you but them used? Either way - they can tell you.

Milling the head makes things a lil more tricky… I would get a degree kit and some clay and go to work. Are they stock pistons?

Well it looks like you got the right people helping you…good luck and watch out for Scooba Steeve!

well since a degree wheel kit runs about $300, and i dont plan on doing this again, i’m looking to have someone do it for me.

i bought a whole skunk2 b16 head, hence all the s2 parts. not my first choice in aftermarket stuff, but the price was right. i was supposed to use the s2 flat valves that are in it instead of milling the head, but 5-6 were damaged(over rev) and Skunk2 wouldnt sell me replacements. the pistons are stock 10.6:1 JDM GSR. my compression test came back 180-181-180-179 so i didnt feel the need to tear the block apart and buy ITR slugs.

that seems really low on the compression test…???

Compression is quite low actually. Did you do the test hot or cold? Did you re-test with a small bit of oil in the cylinder to check ring condition?

Thats stock gsr compression test

Stock B18C1/5 should be around 240psi [range is from 270-140]. 180ish across the boards means issues.

Again, those results are from a stock JDM GSR. I dropped it off at the mechanic and asked for a compression test, didnt bother with a leakdown because head was getting redone anyway

Again, 240 is stock USDM GSR (10:1 CR)…JDM GSR is 10.7:1, so it would be even higher. :redface:

dude, wtf are you guys smoking? a 10:1 cranking compression motor makes 185 average. 240 would be like a 13-14:1 race motor.

this is a b16 head on what block? Either way, B16 head chamber is bigger than a gsr head, so on gsr slugs (less dome than B16 slugs) should numerically create lower compression, so considering the setup, thats actually really good compression number.

I would just slap it together and set the cams at -2/2 and fire it, set base timing and see how it sounds. There’s going to be very little variation between degreeing the cams and the base setup.

What am I smoking? Those numbers are straight from Honda.

gen 3
94-01 b18b1
nominal: 199 psi
minimum: 135 psi
max var: 28 psi

94-01 b18c1
nominal: 270 psi
minimum: 135 psi
max var: 28 psi

97-01 b18c5
nominal: 270 psi
minimum: 135 psi
max var: 28 psi

The B16 pent-roof chamber is indeed larger than the GSR, so it will be dependant on the block/head combo.

Regardless…the centerlines of the OEM cams and the Skunk2 are VERY close. If the head is off the block right now, put the cams in and see what the +/- limits are on the cam gears using a section of an old T-belt. That way when you DO tune the thing, you’ll know what advance/retard will make the valve touch.

that has to be a typo… i’ve never see one that high… heck, my guage only goes to 300!

My stock block/head b18a read between 180-185 for each cylinder and the book says standard is 184 psi and min is 135 psi for the 9.whatever:1 compression the pr4 b18a/b Ls motor is. Gsr with a b16 head should definetly be in the lower 200’s psi.

okay i must have had my numbers mixed up. i thought the GSR was 200 Nominal, so i figured 180 was good for a used engine, and since they were so close together, it seemed right to me.

heres a seperate scenario:

Milled 0.020" GSR head
JDM ITR +0.25 pistons
0.040" turbo head gasket

since the gasket would compensate for 0.014" of the mill, would i still have the same problems?

I don’t think you’ll have issues at all. The domes on my pistons are over 8cc’s and I have zero issues. The Skunk cams aren’t all that aggressive, but you’d be one step ahead if you can find what degree setting are your limits for v to v contact. You won’t have to worry about hitting the tops of the pistons unless your timing is WAY off.

you mean with the ITR pistons and turbo gasket?

Yes.

J my turbo motor with 9:1 CP’s was 210 on fresh rings