High-Cam 240SS 97ps
HALFWAY High-Cam 240SS with Sports ECU 97ps Version for LA400 Copen
£ 1,999.00
Indicative Price
HALFWAY's Most Powerful Sports ECU for the High-Cam 240SS
Halfway has been specialising in ECU tuning for over 30 years, and they've proudly created the most powerful ECU ever. It delivers smooth, powerful acceleration at any RPM, transforming your car into a superior machine beyond your imagination.
Camshafts Determine Engine Performance
HALFWAY has been focusing on increasing the power output of the LA400 Copen since its launch. Initially, they conducted extensive testing to develop a turbine, but they were unable to achieve the desired power output and felt the limitations of bolt-on parts alone. They experienced poor acceleration from mid-range onward, and even changing the turbine did not produce the desired power output. Furthermore, in CVT vehicles, poor response due to turbo lag became evident. They focused on the stock engine's valve timing and, realising that this was not enough to generate power, began developing a camshaft.
Increasing engine power essentially means increasing the amount of air entering the cylinder. Replacing the turbine or camshaft effectively increases power output, and their performance determines the engine's characteristics. However, in the case of the LA400 Copen, with a stock camshaft, even if the turbine was replaced, the camshaft's characteristics would prevent it from fully utilising its capabilities. Therefore, at HALFWAY, they decided to replace the camshaft first, followed by the turbine.
From an Environmentally Friendly Engine to a Sports Engine
From a power perspective, the stock camshaft has no intake valve overlap, resulting in a delayed exhaust valve opening and an early exhaust valve closing. Zero valve overlap reduces intake efficiency at high rpm, resulting in a power output plateau. Even with variable intake camshaft timing, advancing the standard intake camshaft timing results in an earlier valve closing timing near bottom dead centre, ultimately resulting in a loss of power. The stock LA400 Copen ECU does not advance the VVT valve timing once boost builds up and becomes positive, so the valve timing is fixed at maximum retardation when full boost is fully open.
While their sports ECU can advance the valve timing at full boost, it cannot generate power at this valve timing. The KF-VET engine was designed to be environmentally friendly, reducing emissions and fuel consumption. Even though it's installed in the LA400 Copen, it's not designed as a sports engine.
Therefore, HALFWAY began developing a cam that would transform the KF-VET engine into a sports engine by optimising the duration and increasing the valve lift. For prototypes, they created intake and exhaust cams with durations of 240°, 256°, and 272°, and conducted repeated testing in nine different patterns. Unlike in the past, they no longer use extremely long durations or overlaps. Instead, the direct-hit cams allow for a larger valve lift curve, allowing the valves to open earlier.
By providing appropriate overlap at top dead centre, keeping the intake valve open long even after bottom dead centre, and opening the exhaust valve early before bottom dead centre, they ensure that exhaust gas hits the turbine early, maximising the turbo's performance and converting it into power. Ultimately, after considering the impact of reduced vacuum on the brakes, they concluded that a duration of 240° and a lift of 7.4mm were optimal for street and track day use with a stock engine and turbine.
Features of HALFWAY High-Cam 240SS
HALFWAY pays particular attention to the material used: chrome-molybdenum steel SCM440 is machined from a round bar and then high-frequency treated to increase the cam's rigidity and prevent timing delays due to cam twisting. After high-frequency treatment, the cam undergoes Leubrite treatment for rust prevention and solid lubricant coating to enhance initial break-in and sliding.
The base circle is designed to match the stock valve, providing precision that generally eliminates the need for valve clearance adjustment.
The profile design controls valve acceleration during opening and closing, allowing for use with stock valve springs.
By installing HALFWAY’s dedicated sports ECU for high-cam, you'll experience overwhelming power, torque, acceleration, response, and amazing speed action that you wouldn't expect from a stock engine and turbine. Installing a high-cam like on a naturally aspirated engine doesn't significantly reduce low-speed ranges, and it actually increases torque and power across the entire range except for very low speeds.
Installing a high-cam also maximises the performance of external parts, making it essential for vehicles equipped with a turbine. It can be installed on both manual and CVT vehicles. For CVT vehicles, a lag-free cam change is far easier to use in the normal operating range than a turbine change, which increases turbo lag. Experience the speed action, acceleration, and improved response that you wouldn't expect from a CVT vehicle.
Purchase Process
This high-cam cannot be used with the stock ECU. It must be used in conjunction with HALFWAY’s sports ECU high-cam version. After purchase, we will take your car in for the reprogramming of your stock ECU and the camshaft replacement. The listed price includes the high-cam kit, ECU reprogramming, labour costs, and VAT. The price is subject to change due to foreign exchange rates.