12 replies to this topic

[PIIIOWW]

My rebuild was originally going to be aimed at primarily at track use but in reality, am more likely to clock-up more miles on the road.

What is the best cam for developing torque given the rest of the engine spec:

DCOE 45 mounted on 5” maniflow inlet, MED gas-flowed head (36/29), 1380, LCB with megaphone.

I previously ran a less well developed Minisport head in combination with HIF44 and large bore 3-1 exhaust with a 286sp cam and found it very cammy. Almost nothing below 3,000rpm then absolutely took-off.

Given the desire to maintain some road manners (but not necessarily to sit in traffic) what cam do people suggest to develop good pull but not drive like a pig? Given my experience with the 286sp, I would have gone for the shorter duration 276. I am of course interested to know if there are any alternatives which may fit the bill.

TIA!!

[nicklouse]

I would lose the 45 and replace with an HIF44 and use a MiniSpares EVO1 or a cam the AC Dodd would suggest from his range.

[DeadSquare]

If MED did the head, how about asking them ?

[Cooperman]

Personally I like the MG Metro cam, which is almost identical to the Kent 266.

There are so many choices, but it boils down to where you want the power band.

In my 1330 Cooper road rally car I use an MG Metro cam with a standard gear ratio set and a 3.44:1 final drive. It has super torque from around 2500 to 5000 rpm and will pull cleanly from about 2000 rpm. It has a nicely flowed head at 10.2:1, an HIF44 carb, LCB manifold, lightened flywheel and Aldon 'Yellow dizzy. Max bhp is at 5700 rpm with max torque at, I think, about 4000 rpm.

My 1964 Cooper 'S' full-spec rally car has a 286 cam, twin H4 carbs, SC CR gear set, a 3.9:1 FDR, very well-flowed head at 11:1 CR. As you noted about the 286, there is virtually nothing below 3000 rpm, it really needs over 4500 rpm to pull well and needs between 5000 & 7000 rpm to get best power with peak torque at around 4800 rpm. Thus it's a bit useless as a road car.

There is an on-line cam chart showing power & torque graphs for Kent Cams and it's interesting to look at. 

[croc7]

Iskendarian “torquer” camshaft is what I have in a 1360 with one of Calver’s heads, LCB w/RCM exhaust.

Intake valve lift, .330, duration @ .050, 221 degrees
Exhaust valve lift, .325, duration @ .050, 228 degrees
1.25 rocker ratio spec (mine are 1.4:1).

Pulls like a train straight up to 6000 from 1500.

[ACDodd]

I think more info is needed, where in the rev range do you want the torque output to be most prevalent?

Ac

[whistler]

This is the report on my wife's 1330 with evo001 cam, matching minispares distributor, MG Metro head, HIF44 and LCB manifold. 

Alternatively one of AC Dodd's camshafts which Minispares sell.

Attached Files

•  DaffyRR.jpg   27.44K   22 downloads

[PIIIOWW]

Thanks for the contributions. Some good information to be considered.

I think more info is needed, where in the rev range do you want the torque output to be most prevalent?

Ac

I don’t mind some camminess but having just read the description of the 286 on Minispares site, it’s described as the hottest useable road cam with lumpy idle. Not good in traffic. All true in my experience.

I guess I would be happy with something that pulled well enough off the mark without having to build the revs massively to prevent a stall. Mini Spares also describe the 286 rev range as 2000-7500. From memory, I found it to only build power from 3000 and whilst it would rev on to 8000 it generally had a flat spot at the top end.

In answer to your question, something that pulled from 1250/1500 up to 6500/7000 would be great given the car would no longer be considered as a track car. This range might be asking too much from a cam. If so, would prefer it to sacrifice the top end and gain better drivability.

I forgot to add, also have 1.5 ratio rockers. The Evo 001 description says no need for high lift rockers and suggests Evo 002 if they are used. Also suggests it provides more power below 5000rpm which I suppose can be transcribed to more torque give power is torque x revs?

[ACDodd]

Same dyno same size engine, RS+ makes more power from
3500rpm up, RS has smooth idle and lots more low down pull.

Ac

Attached Files

•  IMG_3267.jpeg   60.11K   7 downloads

[Gaz66]

I once ran a 286 megadyne and found it ok in traffic with a 3.7 diff on 10's 👍

[imack]

I also used to run a 286 as a daily driver with a 3.44 diff and close ratio helical box. It was fine, would pull from under 2000rpm, came on cam at around 3000 and would rev to 8500.

[Speedymad]

Had a Swiftune 1380 Sports Tourer with the SW5 cam in it and did 45K miles as a daily driver.  Amazing cam, no issues in London traffic and pulled like a train.

 

SW10 takes it up a notch, maybe not a daily driver but similar to the Kent 286.

 

I think Switftune now do an SW8 so maybe in-between? 

[Midas Mk1]

Sw5 all day everyday.