Cam Gears

The best cam gears are adjustable gears that match your engine exactly: AEM Tru-Time gears cover many Honda, Acura, and Mitsubishi 4G63 builds, Brian Crower sells paired sets for Nissan SR20DET, Toyota 2JZ-GTE, and Subaru EJ engines, and HKS covers the Toyota Supra Turbo and Mitsubishi Evo 8 and 9. Pick by engine code first, then single gear or matched pair.

A cam gear connects your camshaft to the timing belt or chain, and an adjustable version lets you advance or retard cam timing in small steps. That changes where the engine makes its power, and it is especially useful after a camshaft swap or a resurfaced head or block. Tooth profile and fastener quality matter far more than finish alone.

When you shop, confirm the gear matches your exact engine, look for clear degree markings, and check whether the listing is for one gear or a pair. DOHC engines usually need two gears, while many SOHC Honda applications need only one, so always check your year and model.

AEM anchors this category with its Tru-Time adjustable cam gears, including black 5-bolt versions for Honda D16Y7 and D16Y8, H22A1 and H22A4, and D15B7 and D16Z6 engines, plus Mitsubishi 4G63 applications including the Evo 8 and 9. The Tru-Time line is a default choice for Honda and Mitsubishi builders because applications are clearly listed by engine. Start with the AEM Tru-Time gear for Honda D16Y7 and D16Y8 if you run a SOHC D-series.

Brian Crower treats cam gears as engine internals rather than dress-up parts, fitting a catalog built around stroker kits and camshafts. Its adjustable gears are sold as pairs with ARP fastener bolts for the Nissan 240SX SR20DET and Toyota 2JZ-GTE, plus a set for WRX and STI EJ205 and EJ257 engines. The Brian Crower SR20DET gear pair shows the formula: matched intake and exhaust gears with upgraded fasteners.

HKS brings its long-running Japanese tuning catalog to the category with a cam gear for the 1993-1998 Toyota Supra Turbo and an adjustable gear for the Mitsubishi Evo 8 and 9. BLOX Racing covers the Honda side with adjustable gears for Acura and Honda D15 and D16 SOHC engines and for H23A and B-series DOHC engines, an accessible option with broad fitment.

Pair cam gears with the performance engine valves your build needs, and read our EJ257 engine guide for Subaru builds.

Do adjustable cam gears add power by themselves?

On a stock engine, gains are usually small. Their real value is dialing in cam timing after other changes, where a few degrees can move the powerband.

Do I need a dyno tune after installing cam gears?

Yes, if you move timing away from the stock marks. Set the gears to zero for a baseline, then have a tuner verify adjustments on a dyno.

How many cam gears does my engine need?

SOHC engines typically use one gear; DOHC engines generally use two, one per cam. Some variable-valve-timing engines replace only the fixed gear, so check your year and model.

Is cam gear installation a DIY job?

It is doable for experienced builders, but the timing belt comes off, and an error of even one tooth can seriously damage an interference engine. If you are not comfortable setting timing precisely, have a shop do it.