4 replies to this topic

[minibarnerz]

Hi again,

Really just seeking other peoples ideas/advice on this one!
i am tuning my engine on a budget. i dont want anything cheap and nasty though. I have going with a rebore and cam at the moment, with headwork to follow at a later date. and maybe upgrading cams etc again at a later date. am aware this may mean doing things twice but as doing majority of work myself, labour costs dont apply

so now comes the time to choose a cam, have been looking at the minisport kits:

Mini Sport Camshaft & Camshaft Kit - ST 948 - Fast Road
and
Mini Sport Camshaft & Camshaft Kit - ST 731 - Fast Road/Rally

i want it to be fun to drive but not a headache, but its not gonna be an everyday car, so dont mind lumpy either...

my current tuning state is;

metro1275 engine rebored to 1330 (+0.060)
minispares MEGA pistons.
twin SU 1.25 carbs
Duplex timing
Facet Silver top fuel pump
Filterking presure regulator
standard head/crank/gearbox

what do you think will be best of these two? or am i wasting my time lookiong and should shell out twice the price and got for a piper/kent?

i cant reviews for them anywhere! anyone have good/bad personal experience?

[AndyMiniMad.]

I would spend a bit more and get the kent 286. You are better off building the bottom end with the best cam you can afford. that way you wont have to strip the whole engine down again when you decide to upgrade the head. But please understand that the cam by itself wont really work at its best until the head is sorted. Hot cams do very little until you get the engine breathing properly.

[bmcecosse]

Im guessing the ST948 is actually the good old BMC 2A948 cam - very mild - was fitted to the 997 Cooper engine, and the ST731 is actually the BMC AEG 731 cam which was never known for it's effectiveness. The AEG 544 was racier -and FAR better. But for a good all-round cam without need to use high revs - the MG Metro cam is hard to beat.........

[Ethel]

I don't think lumpiness is much of an issue, the main negative is still passing MoT emissions. To get the most out of it, match the power band to your final drive.

[samsfern]

I don't think lumpiness is much of an issue, the main negative is still passing MoT emissions. To get the most out of it, match the power band to your final drive.

if its setup properly, the emmission test shouldnt be too much of an issue, ive got a 1330 with a piper 649+ race cam (300 inlet and 312 exhaust duration) and twin carbs, i passed the emmision test at mot time without much bother.

As for cams, if you can afford it, go for a kent md286. But it is pretty vital for a good flowing head, and the compression ratio to be right for the cam to deliver properly.