It's funny that the stock cam seems to do better for the 20r than it does for the 22r. Kind of makes me think they designed the stock cam profile around the 20r and then just decided it was good enough for the 22r and kept using it.
Very insightful observation.
Look, arguably the Japanese auto engineers have been, in more recent automotive history, the best automotive minds on the planet.
If you had an “auto shop” with a billion dollar budget, every imaginable tool and the most advanced automotive technology available, coupled with a 75-year history of successful design, testing, production, and global marketability, it does not surprise me that they could test and design a camshaft profile that works exceptionally well in multiple engines for vehicles designed for a world-wide production market.
With that said… we know that environmental “laws”, especially in the USA, restrict some degree “designed-in-power” in order to comply with regulations. Add the consumer demand for good gas mileage, high reliability, low maintenance, comfort, wireless electronics…. AND we want it to perform on the street like a $2.5 million Formula 1 car!
I don’t believe it takes a huge amount of genius to figure out that moving the valve timing on a camshaft profile can and will effect the engine's performance… both in actual torque numbers and in ultimate horsepower calculations… for any given RPM range or RPM value.
Back to my original quest (starting in 1986) for more power out of my little 22R, I started looking for a camshaft profile (about 1994) that would give me more TORQUE between 2500 to 3500 RPM, where I need it the most for my driving style.
What other “bolt-in” engine component can increase the torque in a stock 20R, 22R, 22RE by about 10% for about $100?
That’s just my worthless opinion.
Gnarls.
