How to get the most out of your 1.8T with the IE Adjustable Cam Gear

Every engine and every customer is different. Some setups are geared for crazy piles of screaming top-end power. Others are looking for piles of mid-range grunt.

Either way, one thing is clear─ there is no one setup that will perfectly satisfy everyone. That's the reason why adjustable parts were invented in the first place.

Dialing in camshafts to a specific camshaft center line angle (CLA) is a daunting task best left for the experts. But that doesn't mean you should be deterred from tweaking your setup to get the most out of it. With a little simple dyno or logging work, and one of our adjustable cam gears you can fairly quickly dial in some great results with any camshaft set.

How to Adjust the Adjustable Cam Gears in Your VW 1.8T Engine

In this article we test out 3 different cam gear settings on a built 2-liter stroker 1.8T engine. We use a Precision Turbo 5857 CEA turbocharger, our IECVA1 camshafts, and our IECHVA4 assembled CNC ported cylinder head. As you can see, this engine makes a good deal of power even at a moderate boost level of 22 psi, however we were able to find significant increases in the mid-range and spool with some simple cam gear tweaks. Want to realize similar results? Here’s our step-by-step 1.8t adjustable cam gear adjustment guide.

Step 1 The first step in camming is to install the adjustable cam gear following all torque specifications with it at the baseline / 0 degree setting. Do a few dyno pulls or logs to get a base line. If you are logging, you can look at the MAF reading (grams/second) or the roadspeed acceleration rate to determine power increases. Here is our baseline pull, a real screamer with an awesomely flat torque curve.

Step 2 With the baseline map finished, prepare to adjust your cam gear. Begin by setting the engine to TDC (top dead center). Align the cam gear timing mark with the mark on the valve cover. Make sure the adjustable cam gear is also in the center line position.

Step 3 Verify TDC by checking that the timing marks on the crank damper and timing cover are properly aligned.

Step 4 The cam gear adjusts by loosening the five ARP cam gear center bolts. Use a 5/16" 12 point socket and loosen all the bolts by hand.

Step 5 Once all five cam gear center bolts are loose, use a breaker bar to slowly turn the crank by hand, doing so will rotate the cam gear outer ring. Turn the crank clockwise to retard timing, counter clockwise to advance timing.

Step 6 Verify using the cam gear timing marks to make sure you have the desired retard/advance. We began by retarding the timing by 2 degrees.

Step 7 Hand tighten the five cam gear bolts. Do not torque them in this step.

Use a confirmed torque wrench that has not been dropped, set to 14 ftlbs.

Tighten all five cam gear bolts to 14 ftlbs. Verify the cam gear center did not move during this step.

Step 8 Take another log with your new cam timing retard. This setting hurt power throughout the powerband and only was roughly equal to the original setting right in the very high rpm range. Clearly, this is not what we want. So, the next logical step is to try again adjusting in the other direction, by advancing the cam 2 degrees from it's original setting.

Step 9 Here we have done exactly that, we advanced the cam set 2 degrees from its original setting. While we lost a few horsepower after 9000 rpms, the engine spooled faster, and picked up quite a bit of torque and power throughout the mid range. There is no question that this engine would be faster on the street or even on the track with this setting.

Step 10 Now that you have a good idea what the engine is asking for, try adjusting it further in that direction until an optimum power curve is reached. This just takes some time, doing some dyno pulls or logs and building up some data so you can tell when you are where you want to be.

As you can see from the dyno chart below, for a few hundred bucks in parts this modification- more a fine tuning of what you already have- can really be worthwhile. Since it is merely optimizing the parts you already have, it is worth the time to explore this option on any engine that is significantly altered from stock, as the original camshaft settings are not going to be optimized for your particular setup.

Here is an overlay of all 3 of our logs. Take note of the retard/advance changes in the power curve.

At Integrated Engineering, we are dedicated to serving your engine and performance needs. We carry a wide variety of engine parts for VW/Audi applications, from connecting rods, to camshafts, cylinder heads and valve spring/retainer kits. We also have the technical knowledge to make your build a success. Check our website frequently for new product releases.

Parts used in this article: IEVTVA8 : Ultimate Cam Gear kit for 06A 1.8T Engines (PN IEVTVA9 for early 058 1.8t)

Cam Gear Adjustment FAQs

What does an adjustable cam gear do?

An adjustable cam gear allows for precise tuning of the camshaft timing in an engine. By adjusting the cam gear, you can advance or retard the camshaft's position relative to the crankshaft.

The result? Optimizing engine performance, improving power output, and enhancing fuel efficiency, according to specific driving conditions or performance needs.

Fine-tuning the camshaft timing can also help achieve better throttle response and overall engine efficiency.

What does an adjustable cam pulley do?

An adjustable cam pulley functions similarly to an adjustable cam gear by enabling fine adjustments to the timing of the camshaft.

This adjustability allows for changes in valve timing, which can be crucial for optimizing engine performance across different RPM ranges. By advancing or retarding the camshaft, you can tailor the engine's power delivery to better suit specific performance goals or driving conditions, improving horsepower, torque, and fuel economy.

How do cam gears work?

Cam gears work by synchronizing the rotation of the camshaft with the crankshaft, ensuring that the engine's valves open and close at the correct times during the combustion cycle.

The cam gear is connected to the camshaft, and as the crankshaft turns, it drives the camshaft through the cam gear. This synchronization is vital for maintaining the precise timing needed for optimal engine performance, efficient fuel combustion, and smooth operation.

What does the cam gear do in an engine?

The cam gear in an engine is responsible for driving the camshaft, which controls the opening and closing of the engine's valves.

Properly timed valve operation is crucial for the intake of air and fuel and the expulsion of exhaust gasses.

By ensuring that the camshaft rotates in precise synchronization with the crankshaft, the cam gear plays a key role in maintaining efficient combustion, power output, and overall engine performance.