39 replies to this topic

[SmellyGeekBoy]

I'm building up a 1275 A+ engine which currently has an LCB, 1.75in bore exhaust system, and stage 4 head (the valves are really stupid sizes - 38mm/36mm I think) which obviously includes opening the chambers out, widening and polishing the ports etc.

I'm planning on running it on a HIF44.

Anyway, I've seen a Kent 296 cam going cheap and was wondering if it would be suitable? I hear they're a bit too mental, and I wouldn't want to completely ruin the driveability of my car... On the other hand, I'm willing to suffer a lumpy idle if it means more power..

Has anyone tried this cam in a similar setup? What will it run like? What kind of power can I expect?

Also, is buying just the camshaft on its own a good idea or will I need new followers etc?

Cheers guys!

Edit: One more thing... I've heard all sorts of things about slot drive / spider drive / peg drive. What type is the A+? How do I tell them apart!?

Edited by SmellyGeekBoy, 19 October 2008 - 02:34 PM.

[AzMaN]

Edit: One more thing... I've heard all sorts of things about slot drive / spider drive / peg drive. What type is the A+? How do I tell them apart!?

the 3 differnt drives only mean you need a oil pump to suit, they will all fit in a a+ engine, so i understand anyways

Edited by AzMaN, 19 October 2008 - 02:52 PM.

[Sam Walters]

you replace the followers anyway in a rebuild.

a 296 isent that bad, i mean the power comes in at. 3000 ish gently then a massive kick at 3500 all the way to 8000 ish.

round town isent that bad.

you just cant go into 4th at 30.

[miniman1969]

In my opinion there is nothing to be gained in fitting a cam like this unless your engine is capable of pulling 8000rpm+. Sure it will make more peak power but at the expense of low down power. I run a Kent 276 in my 1380, very driveable.

[Sam Walters]

and about as tame as a kitten.

mine pulled from 2000 revs, how much more driveable do you want?

Edited by flyingears2002, 19 October 2008 - 04:11 PM.

[miniman1969]

I'm sure its very driveable - but putting a 296 in an old engine in my opinion is pointless when it produces peak power at 8000rpm.

[Sam Walters]

its alright with a hiff44. mine produced peak power at a little over 7 grand.

[wolfys_mini]

you just cant go into 4th at 30.

strongly disagree

[miniman1969]

OK I stand corrected - maybe i should have gone for something a bit hairier than the 276!

[Sam Walters]

you just cant go into 4th at 30.

strongly disagree

how so wolfy mate?

[T.Harper]

OK I stand corrected - maybe i should have gone for something a bit hairier than the 276!

No you're right in what you're saying. This is a personal preference and a 296 is a lumpy cam that is going to really come on cam higher up the rev range than something like an SW5.

It's down to personal driving preference. So a question back to the original question - what type of engine behaviour are you after? There are cams that give low down grunt but run out of breath top end, and there are cams which don't really perform their best unless the motor is really spinning!

What type of driving do you do - which of those are you after?

[Shifty]

OK I stand corrected - maybe i should have gone for something a bit hairier than the 276!

Nope I agree too, you see too many threads where all people want to know is how to get the most power(aka bragging rights)

Your suggestion would have given good driveability and made a nice easy to use motor, not something that you've got to scream the nads off to get the best out of.

[wolfys_mini]

lets take this literally...

4th and 30mph...some kind of device that stops this? no!

yes it will be sluggish, most cars are a bit sluggish when your doing 30 in 4th, you dont do it for fun though!

i think the 296 is a decent cam for what it is used for, some people dont want too go upto 7k all the time.

[Sam Walters]

i change up at 3/3500 ish most days when just pottering about.

it just gudders about like mad at 30 no matter how ive tried to set it up, engine mounts all that kind of stuff fiddled with.

i like the 276 saying that, but i duno if i would go for anything less.


i must have a fettish for lairy cams. the 296 now the bp320

Edited by flyingears2002, 19 October 2008 - 05:37 PM.

[wolfys_mini]

then dare i say it, it isnt set up quite right....or your final drive isnt suitable for the cam in that application