Cams are a common RB26 upgrade. Here is how Tomei's Poncam and Procam names relate, how Type A and Type B differ, and where Kelford's low-lift and high-lift sets fit. We supply parts; your engine builder does the fitting.
Short answer
- Tomei Poncam: a matched pair with 9.15 mm lift. Tomei says Poncams work with the stock valve springs and come with the valve timing preset.
- Tomei Procam: single cams, including the high-lift cams from 10.25 mm that need Tomei lifters.
- Kelford L182: low-lift sets with no head clearancing.
- Kelford 182: high-lift sets that need the head machined to clear the cam lobes.
Poncam vs Procam
Poncam and Procam are the same Tomei cams sold in different ways. A Poncam is the matched intake and exhaust pair with 9.15 mm lift. Procam is Tomei's name for a single cam, which covers the 9.15 mm Poncam profiles and the high-lift cams.
Tomei Poncam Type A vs Type B
| Poncam | Duration IN / EX | Lift IN / EX | R32 and R33 part number | R34 part number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type A | 260° / 252° | 9.15 mm / 9.15 mm | 143036 | 143037 |
| Type B | 260° / 260° | 9.15 mm / 9.15 mm | 143005 | 143018 |
Tomei designed Type A for stock and N1 turbos, with a shorter exhaust duration for a steady idle. Type B has the longer exhaust duration and raises response and peak power with mid-size to larger turbos. Your tuner can confirm which suits your turbo.
Tomei Poncam Type A, R32 and R33 | Tomei Poncam Type B, R32 and R33 | Tomei Poncam Type A, R34 | Tomei Poncam Type B, R34
Type R
Tomei also makes a Type R Poncam, with one part number for the R32 and R33 and one for the R34. Ask us for its details.
Tomei Poncam Type R, R32 and R33 | Tomei Poncam Type R, R34
Tomei Procam high-lift cams
Tomei's high-lift Procams start at 10.25 mm lift and use a 30 mm small base circle, so they need the Tomei valve lifter set 163005. The Tomei 163600 lifter set is for cams with the standard 32 mm base circle. Your engine builder matches the springs, shims and valve clearance to the cam.
Tomei Procam IN 260°, 10.25 mm | Tomei Procam EX 260°, 10.25 mm, R32 and R33 | Tomei Procam EX 260°, 10.25 mm, R34 | Tomei Procam IN 260°, 10.8 mm | Tomei Procam IN 270°, 10.8 mm | Tomei valve lifter set 163005 | Tomei valve lifter set 163600 | Tomei valve guide set 163046
Kelford L182 vs 182
| Kelford set | Duration IN / EX | Net valve lift IN / EX | Head work |
|---|---|---|---|
| L182-A | 264° / 264° | 8.95 mm / 8.90 mm | No head clearancing |
| L182-B | 272° / 272° | 8.95 mm / 8.90 mm | No head clearancing |
| 182-B | 260° / 260° | 10.00 mm / 9.95 mm | Head machined to clear the lobes |
| 182-C | 272° / 272° | 10.00 mm / 9.95 mm | Head machined to clear the lobes |
Kelford says the 182-B suits a twin turbo upgrade or a single 56 to 68 mm turbo, and the 182-C a twin turbo upgrade or a single 64 to 76 mm turbo. Kelford fits a spline and half-moon cam trigger as standard and can fit a yoke-shaped trigger instead, so tell us which your engine needs when you ask for a price.
Kelford L182-A | Kelford L182-B | Kelford 182-B | Kelford 182-C
Springs, retainers and pulleys
Kelford recommends its KVS15 spring set or its KVS1855-BT beehive spring and titanium retainer kit with these cams. Ask your engine builder whether your build also needs titanium retainers or adjustable cam pulleys.
Kelford KVS15 spring set | Kelford KVS1855-BT beehive spring and retainer kit | Kelford RB20 and RB26 vernier pulley set | Plazmaman RB26 titanium valve spring retainers
Valve clearance
Setting valve clearance is a job for your engine builder. Kelford lists 0.25 mm intake and 0.30 mm exhaust for its low-lift sets, set cold at the cam. Tomei lists its own figures for each of its cams.
RB26 rebuild parts list | RB26 timing belt guide | RB26 twin vs single turbo guide
Ordering
All the parts above are Price on application. Use Request a price on the part, or get in touch to check your build. Tomei parts come from Japan:
Imported parts: usually 1 to 2 weeks at the minimum. The exact time depends on which country the part is coming from, whether you choose express or standard shipping, the courier used, and how quickly UK customs releases the shipment. We'll confirm the options and timings when we send your quote.
Kelford parts come from New Zealand and Plazmaman parts come from Australia, and we confirm their timings with your quote.
Contact | Delivery and returns | Importing GT-R parts from Japan | Tomei | Kelford | R32 GT-R engine parts | R33 GT-R engine parts | R34 GT-R engine parts
FAQ
What is the difference between Tomei Poncam and Procam?
They are the same Tomei cams sold in different ways. A Poncam is the matched intake and exhaust pair with 9.15 mm lift. Procam is Tomei's name for a single cam, which covers the Poncam profiles and the high-lift cams from 10.25 mm that need Tomei lifters.
Should I choose Tomei Poncam Type A or Type B?
Tomei designed Type A, at 260° intake and 252° exhaust, for stock and N1 turbos and a steady idle. Type B runs 260° on both cams and raises response and peak power with mid-size to larger turbos. Both have 9.15 mm lift. Ask your tuner which suits your turbo.
Do RB26 Poncams work with stock valve springs?
Tomei says its 9.15 mm Poncams work with the stock valve springs and come with the valve timing preset. High-lift cams are different: Tomei's Procams from 10.25 mm need the Tomei 163005 lifters, and your engine builder matches the springs, shims and valve clearance.
Do Kelford RB26 cams need head machining?
The low-lift L182-A and L182-B need no head clearancing. The high-lift 182-B and 182-C need the cylinder head machined to clear the cam lobes. Your engine builder does this work and sets the valve clearance, which Kelford lists at 0.25 mm intake and 0.30 mm exhaust for its low-lift sets.
Do I need a remap after fitting RB26 cams?
Tomei sells Poncams with the valve timing preset, but says the cylinder head may need extra work for clearance. A cam change still alters how the engine breathes, so ask your tuner whether your car needs a remap, especially with high-lift cams, a bigger turbo or other engine changes.