I wanna install a VX cam in my car. But I'm realy big on fuel economy. If I do this is it going to hurt my fuel economy or help it or neither? Any one who's done this let me know what your oppinions are about the change you got from installing it.

Ben,
In my case I gained fuel economy. 2mpg city and nearly 5 hwy. I am a leadfooted driver though and the gain may well be in take off. What was an almost lazy launch is now peppy and quick to get going. The engine runs smoother than it did on the stock cam. Overall, I'm very pleased with the cam.

I got lucky and found my cam @ a friend's junk yard. He had called me to tell me he was getting in an 88 744na that the owner'd had some major work done under the hood. Turns out the cam hand only been in for a month b4 the owner wrecked the car.

I'm saving up to put the cam in my other Volvos.

I was thinking about maybe do this mod to. Is it something that is easy to do yourself or is it something to take the car to a shop for? Lucky my freinds dad use to work on forgien cars for a living and knows Volvos pretty good and has a good collection of tools. Just got done replacing all the front rotors and pads this morning.

'88 240 with VX and a 2 1/2" exhaust (including 2 1/2" cat) and single high flow muffler. No change in gas mileage if I behave myself as others have said. It also passed California smog with flying colors.

BTW there was no change because it was at WOT most of the time before just trying to keep up with San Diego traffic, now I can keep up without using all the throttle and pass if I do, nice to have a choice.
--
Dave Shannon
Spring Valley, California (San Diego area)
'84-245 200K+
'84-245T 190K+
'88-240 190K+
'92 745Ti 150K
'01 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 10K
www.volvo2.homestead.com

Hello,

There's a little rule about getting more power out of an engine doesn't matter if it's on your lawn mower or your favourite brick. The more gas and air you can cram in there, the better it gets. Essentially what a VX cam does is open the opportunity for more air flow. The better the air flow, the more fuel and hence the more power. WHEN YOU USE IT!!!

Take it only as a suggestion, but this is what I would do, and because it has worked for the past 100,000 km in my 245. Vx cam. K&N air filter on one side, 240 Turbo exhaust on the other. Stock cam timing setting. Forget about the adjustable gear.

Results? Way better throttle response. No more noise except when above 3000 RPM. At that mark the near 400,000 km car has better get up and go than my old non-intercooled turbo 244 (100,000 km at the time)used to have.

Volvo's are notoriously under cammed unless you are lucky enough to own a K-cammed specimen. BTW - No effect on fuel economy, so long as I behave myself :-)))))
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Richard - '87 245 DL , '82 242 GLT - Half a million km between them!!!

What is a K cam and where can I get one? I'm notoriusly cheap, if I can save a buck going to a yard I'll do it. Thanks for your guys help!

K-cams are found only in Canadian (at least on this continent) B23E engined 240's from 81 to 83. People occasionally have them for sale, I'm not sure if it would save you anything.
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Richard - '87 245 DL , '82 242 GLT - Half a million km between them!!!

Virtually no change in fuel economy - UNLESS you enjoy the added throttle response and performance. TANSTAAFL = there ain't no such thing as a free lunch! Performance comes with a price. However - the fuel economy hit is minimal. On my old, 40-mile rural commute I noticed no measureable change in my '92 245's fuel economy after switching to the VX cam; mileage stayed around 24-26 with an M47. Out here in the Phoenix metro area I have an 8-mile, city street commute and I get about 20-22 mpg.