I know this is a recurring subject, but your interest is appreciated...

IPD touts the VX cam as a great way to improve mid-high RPM response in the NA red block engine, with a small loss of low RPM torque, with little to no effect on emissions and fuel consumption.

The VX is popular despite its high (I think excessive) price from IPD, and used VX cams are hard to find (on eBay for example) for less than $100.

A and B cams are easy to find for less than half that price, but they are an older design than the stock M and VX cams. Do they have a similar effect as the VX with respect to torque curve, emissions, and fuel consumption? If so, they would be a much better value for me.

I have a '91 244 (128k miles) which runs perfectly and has the M47 transmission. It has stock engine components and passes smog tests easily. More power would be nice for freeway onramps and staying ahead of tailgating LA drivers. Forget about a really hot camshaft, I need some low end torque for stop and go driving and quiet cruising.

The B has very slightly less lift than the VX, more overlap and darn near the same duration. I had one in an '84 and it was a very nice improvement, at $20 vs. $180 or whatever ipd is getting these days it's a heck of a good deal. If I every buy another late model brick I'll be using one again.
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Dave Shannon
Spring Valley, California
'67 1800s
'73 1800ES
'88-240
my pages

Hello,

1) They are correct. My 245 still has it's nice, torquey bottom end plus it now has great passing/acceleration power between 2500 to 5000 rpm.

2) Not at all!!! 189 new, that's about 12 bucks an HP.

3) My VX equipped 245 had no appreciable change on the emissions test, and cruising along normally, gets the same fuel economy. It's when you use the power that you start blowing back fuel.

4) A, B or K cams will have similar effects, just not as drastic. $$$ proportionate to results.

I would consider the VX a great value, and one of the only options to get dyno proven results out of a N/A 240.
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Happy Bricking!!! - Richard - '95 855T 309k, '87 245 DL 406k, '82 242 GLT 121k - Volvo's are alive and well in Brampton!!!

so to understand ..the b cam is close to the vx but not close enough? have the b users also been vx users? i bought a cam from some guy in canada that he said was better than the vx ,it sure increased my top end,but i ahve never tried a vx , i do have a b cam that i got for $20 sitting in my garage that i may stick in my 89 after reading all this...kris

i installed the vx cam and ipd gear advanced two degrees in the 86 automatic. the hand held stopwatch says 0-60 in 10.90 seconds? did this three times with about same results. with M cam 0-60 was 13.90. thats my experience. much faster low end to high end. shift points seemed to change to 5,500rpms. if you allready have the B cam why dont you give it a try. i tried the A cam 6 degrees advanced and all the power seemed to be at higher rpms. i have a B cam and a K cam but have not tried either. i bought the vx cam and ipd gear on ebay for 200.00$ good luck

Hey there, I'm new to the Brickboard and I just purchased a 1990 Gold Brick 240 today...but before I picked it up, I had my mechanic/friend/car salesman install an IPD Adjustable Cam gear ONLY and a K&N filter, and new timing belt w/ tensioner...Geez, what a difference 4 degree advancement of the cam gear makes!...now it has really much better passing ability than any previous 240 I've owned. You can really feel the difference. I don't care for dyno or horsepower claims, and such, I'm more of a seat of the pants guy, and this car 203k car runs better then any of the previous 3 - 240's and 1 - 740 that I test drove over the past several weeks. Honestly, I had the car easily up to 101 mph today, and it just cruised like buttah!!

Anyway, after recently stumbling upon this site and learning what could be done to improve the NA bricks, I also ordered a K CAM yesterday for $79 and definitely will have it after I've received it. My Sunday driver is a 2004 JAG TYPE X (nice firm and nimble ride), but I'll you what -- I was absolutely thrilled to be driving the 240 today (two 240's, one 740, and one 850)...This is my 4th Volvo, and this site is really a great source of information. I'll primarily be using the 240 as my daily driver and as a tow vehicle for my KTM 300 MXC (offroad dirtbike for you 4 wheeled folks). Also have a good looking and fairly reliable 1992 Saab 900 S Convertible (130K) for the lil' lady...It's smooth and relatively powerful, HOWEVER, I don't think it could hold a candle to the bricagold...I think the Saab which is my 3rd mistake, uh, um I mean my third one, is simply too finicky (read: PITA) -- but I've sunk so much money into, I just couldn't bear to see the lil' lady getting all tearful on me if I wanted to sell...

Okay, do you know why they call it Saab? Well...everytime you bring it to the mechanic, it just makes you wanna cry (sob or is that Saab, whatever)...Hey, a little swedish humor...alright fellas, it wasn't that funny, huh? Well, I guess I better go to the saabsite, because I've got a leaky power steering hose and possibly a bad power steering pump...Man, I think I'm gonna cry...where's my tissue?

In all seriousness great site and kris, If I were you, I'd take a look at the cam gear...cheers,

BG