22 replies to this topic

[Danuneek]

What are the disadvantages of buying secondhand camshafts? even if they're almost new. I'm obviously going to buy new followers and valve springs. Is there anything else I should consider when replacing a camshaft.

I think i'm heading towards the Kent 266 cam as it sounds ideal for road use but with the added torque. I'm still open to recommendations though...

Really I think this cam would suit my 1275 Cooper Carb. The issue is, I dont want to be struggling in traffic and it is a road car which I use for work. But then again I want as much extra torque as possible from a performance cam. So I need to find a balance between the two.

I'm also buying a vernier duplex timing chain and have just purchased a lightened flywheel (thanks 1275 Sprite).

[Retro_10s]

I would go a little higher and have the 276 - Just for a little more oopmh and you can still maintain a smooth idle - but the 266 will b just fine

Might be worth checking your oil pump whilst your in there.

[Mr Joshua]

Then get the 286 skip the 276. You have very low lift at overlap and very little over lap with a 266.

[Danuneek]

Then get the 286 skip the 276. You have very low lift at overlap and very little over lap with a 266.

with a 286 is it not going to be really lumpy, high on emmisions and struggle in traffic?

[jaydee]

Honestly, the 276 can be better on a road car as you dont need to rev that high..

[mini_mad69]

My 286 isn't that lumpy realy, although mine is in a 1380 which reduces the lumpieness. I think you could easily get away with a 286 in a road car.

[Danuneek]

well, after some more research im now completely undecided. I've just been reading about the swiftune cams, particularly the SW5-07. And apparently "the SW5-07 is the ideal road cam, below 5500rpm it produces more power than the 286 profile; On average you will spend 90 per cent of your road driving below 5500rpm." That sounds ideal. But then it would because its off their website. And it also helped them blokes i read about in minimag comlete the Mongol rally. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I just dont know.

[samsfern]

iv got a 276 in my 1330, slightly lumpy idle, (sounds cool though), soots the plugs if you let it idle for too long otherwise good in traffic, its an excellent cam, great fun, i can really feel it when it comes all the way in at around 2500, slight power surge!! power seemed to drop at around 6500 on the rollers, but you dont need to use that many in a road car mine was second hand, done about 500 miles, i know this and can guarentee thats the genuine milage, obviously used new followers and double springs(kent cams competition)

[Danuneek]

iv got a 276 in my 1330, slightly lumpy idle, (sounds cool though), soots the plugs if you let it idle for too long otherwise good in traffic, its an excellent cam, great fun, i can really feel it when it comes all the way in at around 2500, slight power surge!! power seemed to drop at around 6500 on the rollers, but you dont need to use that many in a road car mine was second hand, done about 500 miles, i know this and can guarentee thats the genuine milage, obviously used new followers and double springs(kent cams competition)

to be fair they all sound good. I suppose its weighing up whether to buy a second hand kent thats done a few hundred miles or spending a fortune and buying a SW5. You guys are tempting me with a Kent 276. Im just concerned about sitting in traffic and the old MOT emissions. Particularly as mine is a 1275 so probably more lumpy on idle. If I do fit a new cam, will the engine be classed as a 1293? mate told me this but I dont think he knows what he's talking about.

Edited by Danuneek, 12 August 2009 - 05:26 PM.

[mk1leg]

Well let me tell you I have a Swiftune 1380 with a SW5 cam and and she pulls in 4th from 20mph all the way to 110mph..........and is great around town.................

[jaydee]

well, after some more research im now completely undecided. I've just been reading about the swiftune cams, particularly the SW5-07. And apparently "the SW5-07 is the ideal road cam, below 5500rpm it produces more power than the 286 profile; On average you will spend 90 per cent of your road driving below 5500rpm." That sounds ideal. But then it would because its off their website. And it also helped them blokes i read about in minimag comlete the Mongol rally. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I just dont know.

The Sw5 is what i've suggested to you in some of your previous threads, its great for road use.

[Danuneek]

well, after some more research im now completely undecided. I've just been reading about the swiftune cams, particularly the SW5-07. And apparently "the SW5-07 is the ideal road cam, below 5500rpm it produces more power than the 286 profile; On average you will spend 90 per cent of your road driving below 5500rpm." That sounds ideal. But then it would because its off their website. And it also helped them blokes i read about in minimag comlete the Mongol rally. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I just dont know.

The Sw5 is what i've suggested to you in some of your previous threads, its great for road use.

Yeh. I remember you recommending it. I think this is probably going to be the one. Just going to take longer to save up.

[liirge]

Ive got the SW10 going in my engine, this wont be suitable for your use,
But the SW-05 would be a good cam, there are alot of posts on here that say its a nice cam BUT you barely notice its there and i know Shifty Seamus on here said he wish he had gone for something a little more aggressive.

[Danuneek]

Ive got the SW10 going in my engine, this wont be suitable for your use,
But the SW-05 would be a good cam, there are alot of posts on here that say its a nice cam BUT you barely notice its there and i know Shifty Seamus on here said he wish he had gone for something a little more aggressive.

That's interesting, especially since they're saying it produces more power than a 286 under 5500rpm. This is my dilemma though, I have to get it right as im only planning on removing the engine once.

[liirge]

hmm, it all depends what your after really however much you try and get the middle ground of potential Power over Drivability, you will have to end up bias towards one end of the scale. You should talk to someone who has a 286 and someone who has an SW5.