'cammed' vts advice please

[pjw]

Im about to go and spend my hard earned money on a supposedly cammed VTS. now im pretty swept up on mechanics, but is there any external engine mods that might point to a cammed 16v? mods, markings, pulleys etc? i presume to run properly the cam would have to be setup with verniers to time it correctly?

The seller has mentioned that at times the idle can be lumpy, due to this. Im pretty sure that if someone could be arsed putting a cam in, they would have set it up properly, so im taking that with a pinch of salt and feel it could be a duff ICV or vacuum leak.

Could it be that its just not been setup?

Any of the above ring true, rought idle associated with being cammed?

[gaz4399]

cammed cars will tend to not idle as good if not mapped

sounds like it could be cammed but needs mapping to get the most out of the cam and better running etc, could be a good reason to barter with the guy selling the car tbh as it needs mapping ideally.

[Alexp]

Could always ask to pop the cam cover off to see if the cams have any manufacture info.

[raunchz]

just be careful, if there's no receipts for cams then it could just be a dodgy sensor?

IMO if spending £1k+ on a car with mods, i'd at least want to make sure the mods are there (if that's why you're looking at this car over standard ones)

[Olly]

cams shouldnt run rough on idle really. as above cam covers off and have a look. will need some small torx screwdrivers. if there sealed down/doesnt want you to take the covers off, buy it as a standard engined car..many a car sold as 'cammed' but not actually anything of the sort. ask the question where it was mapped/setup, place names and location, then ask to see receipts too, see if it tally's

[benkelsall]

Is it a single or 3 plug ecu?
as 3 plugs never run fine once cammed. I had a cammed vts 3 plug and it idled crap had to keep the revs on.
imo id never get a cammed 16v again, much prefer a normal 16v with filter exhaust ect.
only worth going cams if your going to get a standalone ecu and get it mapped proper.

[pjw]

I spoke to the seller, and he thought just throwing a cam in would be it. Its not been mapped or anythng.

I honestly am tempted to get it, reinstall standard cams and sell these on. Kents he says, although he hasnt got receipts he did show me an ebay seller he reckons he got them from.

Ive already started barting with the lad, im going to be buying it as standard as the covers are sealed down funnily enough. Laziness if you ask me.

When i get it home, ill whip the covers off and see if theres any numbers scribed into them. If it just turns out to be a sensor its still no real loss for a £20 sensor somewhere.

Do these have an idle control valve?

[Byard]

Yes to the ICV.