Here is a list of the different camshafts I've found for the solid lifter (non hydraulic) VW head. Some numbers may fluctuate a bit (for example: found three manufacturers of G grind and lift varied by .002" and duration varied by 1°. No big deal.), but I feel they are pretty accurate. If you can find more specs or different grinds, I would LOVE to post them. If there are certain performance advantages you have experienced with a particular cam please email me!
 
 
VW SOLID LIFTER CAMS
GRIND INTAKE OPENS INTAKE CLOSES EXHAUST OPENS EXHAUST CLOSES DURATION @ .050" LIFT @ CAM
A 16 BTDC 42 ABDC 60 BBDC 13 ATDC 224° 0.355"
G 17 BTDC 55 ABDC 60 BBDC 20 ATDC 226° 0.420"
S1-109 24 BTDC 58 ABDC 59 BBDC 21 ATDC 229° 0.410"
S2-109 23 BTDC 61 ABDC 59 BBDC 25 ATDC 238° 0.430"
S3-109 20 BTDC 56 ABDC 60 BBDC 22 ATDC 235° 0.474"
S4-109 20 BTDC 57 ABDC 57 BBDC 18 ATDC 237° 0.446"
U-109 36 BTDC 63 ABDC 62 BBDC 37 ATDC 256° 0.450"
V-109 32 BTDC 70 ABDC 69 BBDC 33 ATDC 258° 0.460"
W-102 47 BTDC 68 ABDC 72 BBDC 42 ATDC 269° 0.504"
X-100 55 BTDC 83 ABDC 84 BBDC 54 ATDC 288° 0.472"
Y-100 62 BTDC 88 ABDC 88 BBDC 60 ATDC 297° 0.575"
X1-109 18 BTDC 58 ABDC 58 BBDC 24 ATDC 232° 0.472"

The G grind is the most common and offers very good performance without sacrificing driveability.  The S cams are very popular but often take away from driveability.  I've had the S4 cam in a GTi before and have to admit that the idle is very rough.  I do not know if this is because the exhaust opens at the exact same time the intake closes or because of the duration, but it's pretty rough.  I had a idle that hovered (this was a well tuned engine unlike my current Rabbit) between 500 and 900 RPM.  Cams with a lift greater than .410" will likely require extra lift springs underneath your lifters.  An easy mod.  These springs are heavier gauge so they snap back the lifter faster, thus preventing "float" (valves staying open when there is no cam lobe pushing down on it).  The bad thing about extra lift springs is due to the additional pressure against the cam lobe thus causing premature wear.

Submissions welcome.  Again, the Email address is VW@Webhelp.ORG. Thanks!!!
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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