8 replies to this topic

[miniman69ot]

Am looking to upgrade my standard 1275 cam but don't no what to have, am running standard pistons but going to have the head ported and polished with twin 1 1/2 carbs, is this worth doing or not?any advice would be much appreciated.many thanks Stuart

[KernowCooper]

Major work to change the camshaft, by all means have the head work done, and maybe leave the cam until you have a rebuild due? as just changing a cam on a engine is not the best move due to the extra stress on the worn engine components.

 

What states the engine in ? burning oil? mileage?

[Spider]

Before considering a Cam change, what is it you'd like from the engine?  eg;- Better cruising, quicker acceleration etc?  What do you do with your Mini? Race it,  Club Track Days, or just street use?

 

While you can just change out the Cam, it's best to optimise all engine components to each other to get the very best from it.

 

Also, you don't get something for nothing (and I'm not talking about money!), eg, improving the high RPM Power usually comes at the expense of the Low end Power. If you can find some people (and there's lot on this forum) with modified engines, see if anyone will let you have a drive of their cars to see what they are like and how they behave, it may well help you decide what direction to go in.

Edited by Moke Spider, 08 September 2015 - 07:57 PM.

[miniman69ot]

Its an engine that I bought to strip down which I have done and now it's time to put back together, all I wanted to no is it worth forking out for new upgrade cam?

[miniman69ot]

Its going to be road use and yes going to change all new components on block and in head!Amy ideas what cam would suit?

[Mini Manannán]

You haven't said whether you want better cruising or better acceleration.  There are a whole assortment of cams available depending on what you want to do.

[miniman69ot]

Defiantly bit of acceleration and cruising too,what you recocommend?

[jaydee]

Remember the cam decides where the powerband sits in the rev range

The hotter the cam the higher you have to rev the engine, and the higher you shift the power range, the shorter the gear ratio you need to keep the engine 'on cam' when you go up through the gears. All this will make sitting in the traffic and cruising unpleasant if using long duration cams and short diff ratios.

So if this engine is to be driven on normal traffic open streets and for some motorway cruising, you should consider a camshaft with a max duration of 270 degs.

There's plenty out there, probably the most common is the kent 266.

A word of worning first.

Best thing would be meeting someone who has different cams fitted and have a ride in their cars, you have your own driving preferencies, so dont just follow advice on the internet. 

I know some people consider a 276 cam to be a sports cam for a 1275, when its just a slightly improved standard cam

Friend of mine swear that a full race 296 is perfectly road usable..

[miniman69ot]

Cheers Jaydee,great advice thank you. 😊