Volvo Camshaft information by Anthony Hyde, Australia. October 2006 Update Feb 2008

Presented here are pictures & comments of the most talked about camshafts when used in 4 cyl Volvo 8V turbocharged engines. IPD, ENEM and VX3
* Plus a full list of Volvo Cam Shim Sizes and part numbers*

CLICK lobe images to enlarge

IPD Turbo camshaft
(close in spec to ENEM, Sweden)
 

VOLVO VX3 camshaft

VX3 Cam marking (rear of camshaft)
at rear of engine

IPD vs VX3 COMPARISON - Comments by Anthony Hyde

Cams were installed in a B230 turbo engine featuring a Haltech engine computer for programable fuel and ignition curves. Ignition is CDI (capacitor discharge ignition).

The IPD turbo cam (close to ENEM grind) surprised me - it has a superb top end. From around 5,000 rpm it REVS OUT very rapidly to over 6,000 rpm - so quick on occassion I wasn't ready to change gear - quicker thru the gears being a combination of turbo boost and landing higher on the rev range between gears.
Another example of quicker rev-out was an uphill section of racetrack where I now change up a gear many metres before I normally would with the VX3. This cam will show your turbo engines potential !
A question is 'it has great performance on the top end , but considering its steep lobes does it idle ?' - it idles very well indeed, no issue there. Low end - once more surprised me, the engine is very happy to run along on light load at 1,500 rpm, also 2,000 as well.

The ipd Turbo cam will raise engine output as it produces power all the way to 6,000 rpm with and will get you there quicker, it revs out fast and doesn't die at 5,000 rpm but continues to pull further. 11.95 mm intake & exhaust lift. Link to dyno chart with this cam in a B230FT.

The VX3 cam is my favourite 'Volvo' manufactured cam. It also works well in a turbo engine and having used and tuned it for 3 years in a B230FT, I know it well. This cam is featured in the Volvo competition catalogue (the 'BLUE book' and was mated to the 531 head and B230FB engine), but is not a 'competition' cam. Most agree its soft down low, but has a very sweet and flexible mid range. It pulls about 500 rpm further than other 'Volvo" cams to around 5,600 rpm and will continue to rev to 6,300 rpm, but the last 700 rpm step is slow (can depend on valve spring condition).
In a non-turbo engine its not as exciting, better known for smooth performance but a big leap over a standard 'M' cam. The 'H' really revs in a non turbo, but check ipd or ENEM offerings.

VX3 - 11.37mm intake lift, 10.5mm exhaust lift, Intake opens at 7.7deg BTDC, has some overlap and opens the valves between 1.5 and 2 mm wider. Exhaust Opens 50.1 deg BBTC. VX3 cam has assymetric lobes, unlike the "K" cam. has some overlap and opens the valves between 1.5 and 2 mm wider. Tim Tak.

Overhead Cam Adjusting Shims - Volvo Engine B21, B23, B230 - available from Volvo dealers or FCP Groton, USA
Volvo #

463546 = 0.130"/3.30 mm

463559 = 0.156"/3.95 mm

463547 = 0.132"/3.35 mm

463560 = 0.158"/4.00 mm

463548 = 0.314"/3.40 mm

463561 = 0.159"/4.05 mm

463549 = 0.136"/3.45 mm

463562 = 0.161"/4.10 mm

463550 = 0.138"/3.50 mm

463563 = 0.163"/4.15 mm

463551 = 0.140"/3.55 mm

463564 = 0.165"/4.20 mm

463552 = 0.142"/3.60 mm

463565 = 0.167"/4.25 mm

463553 = 0.144"/3.65 mm

463566 = 0.169"/4.30 mm

465554 = 0.146"/3.70 mm

463567 = 0.171"/4.35 mm

463555 = 0.148"/3.75 mm

463568 = 0.173"/4.40 mm

463556 = 0.150"/3.80 mm

465569 = 0.175"/4.45 mm

463557 = 0.152"/3.85 mm

463570 = 0.177"/4.50 mm

463558 = 0.154"/3.90 mm

NEW Cams - lobes are coated with manganese phosphate and will quickly wear off in loaded areas such as the nose to give a shiny surface. The phosphate will be collected by the oil and trapped in the oil filter element or screen. If you see black lines or spots on the journals, these can be a result of the manufacturer not fully covering up the journals before applying the coating. Remove these raised spots with scotchbrite or very fine emery paper.

Running in - Instructions usualy advise: Do not idle the engine during the first 20 minutes of operation: run at 2500 rpm or above. If adjustments need to be made during the first 20 minutes 'break in' period, turn the engine off - DO NOT IDLE. Hint - place an object at near rear of exhaust pipe to baffle the exh sound so you don't annoy the neighbours too much.

Feedback: ENEM V15
Tulsi writes: I have the na (normally aspirated, non turbo) version of the ENEM V15 camshaft in an otherwise stock B230F. I have done several trips interstate to Sydney (Australia) with this cam and even in an auto it transforms it into a totally different motor. In spots where the car previously dropped out of overdrive it now just carries on. I actually accelerate on hills where I previously ran out of puff, it pulls strongly in mid to high revs and I should have swapped out the m cam long ago. I am very happy with it.
But there is a downside - unlike the m cam, the V15 cam - valve shim adjustment does not seem hold its spec for ever. I do not yet have clicking tappets on idle but on off-idle revs I hear more valvetrain noise. Normal for this cam I understand.

ENEM V16 to 6,500 rpm

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