15 replies to this topic

[miniGTS]

I've decided to get my 1275 GTS engine rebuilt but undecided on whether to keep the standard GTS cam (which I think is the same spec as the 1275 CooperS cam - anyone else have info on this?)

 

or whether I should get something like the EVO1 cam that seems to get good reviews. I'm looking for something that will have good torque from low down and pull nicely thoughout the rev range rather than something that needs high revs before it come to life.

 

Keen to get feedback from those who have experience with these two cams. Is it worthwhile getting the EVO1 or is there not much difference compared to the standard GTS cam (assuming it is indeed the same spec as the CooperS cam).

 

 

[DeadSquare]

You haven't put your engine's mileage, but it sounds as though parts of it are worn out, so if you are going to the expense of a rebuild, a new cam would be a relatively small portion of the budget, and the Evo is more modestly priced than many.

[miniGTS]

You haven't put your engine's mileage, but it sounds as though parts of it are worn out, so if you are going to the expense of a rebuild, a new cam would be a relatively small portion of the budget, and the Evo is more modestly priced than many.

Mileage is unknown. It does still have standard pistons and will likely need a rebore to 20thou.

Noted about a new cam in a new build and yes, they're not unreasonably priced here in SA

[alpder]

I have a Kent MD246 - chosen because it claims to give high torque low down. The car does pull like a train and tows without fuss on a 3.1FD, but I've nothing to compare it against, being my first Mini. Quite possibly a standard cam, or a MG Metro cam, would've driven much the same. Have a (bad) photocopy of the rolling road outputs, if you're interested. Though, of course, every engine differs in so many other ways.

 

The 246 is damn expensive and I'd love to know what are the equivalent cams out there from other makers, so watching this thread with interest.

[Cooperman]

The Evo001 cam is a great road cam. I am just rebuilding a 1972 Midget engine for a friend and I have just fitted the Evo001.

With around 10.2:1 CR, a mildly flowed head and an Aldon 'Yellow' distributor I expect around 80 bhp. It will have 35.6 mm inlet valves and a standard Midget exhaust system.

A good alternative is the MG Metro cam which is very similar to the Kent 266. I have had good results with those cams as well. My 1990 Cooper road-rally car has an MG Metro cam and it is a delight to drive with strong torque from around 3200 rpm and peak power at 5700 rpm.

Of course, the key to better performance is the gas-flowing of the head and the fitting of the 36.5 mm inlet valves. It's not much good having a better cam if the head is still standard.

[Shooter63]

I doubt you will get a specific answer to this question as I doubt anybody on here has done a back to back test, ie same engine and cam changes you specified. The safe answer is use a SW5 it does exactly what it says on the box and has dyno sheets to prove it.

Shooter

[minidave54]

I rebuilt and upgraded a 1275 about 18 months ago after getting it re bored 20 thou. My cam of choice was the Evo 001 as I'd also heard good things about it. Here is the spec of my engine and the power and torque figures after a rolling road set up. The compression ratio is about 10.1:1

 

A mildly tuned Mini Spares head with inlet valves 35.7mm and exhaust 29.3mm.

Evo 001 cam and the matching Mini Spares recommended dizzy C-27H7701

A HIF44 carb fitted with a BDL needle

A maniflow twin box exhaust sytem

 

On the dyno this had 78 bhp @5700 rpm and a torque figure of 88 lb ft @ 3400 rpm.

 

I hope this helps 

[miniGTS]

Thanks for the feedback. The engine builder suggested, when I bring the engine to him, we should have a chat about what I want from the engine and how the car will be used and he will recommend something and we can then take it from there. He's been working on minis for 47 years and used to race and build race minis many years ago and seems to like the idea of building fast minis but will build whatever I want.

[surfbluejdm]

I'm also in the process of choosing a new cam due to some wear on mine.

 

I've talked to 3 USA-based Mini specialists and they all individually recommended the SW5 kit for average road use.

[MiniMadRacer]

I have no personal experience of them but AC Dodds RS and RS+ CAM may well be worth a shout. i know they are expensive, but reading the specs (I mean materials used, as well as duration overlap and lift) the cost may well out way any wear issues on re profiled cams. Just to add it is not an advert for his cams, I do not know AC (other than we all know of the man) I am not related to him, and I do not and never have worked for him (though that would be a pleasure, and the ultimate learning eperience)

[Midas Mk1]

For a road car where you want a smooth idle but bags of up and go, i’d go for the swiftune sw5, had mine 7 years now as a daily, and i’ve had 6/7 cams in my cars over the years

Edited by Midas Mk1, 22 February 2025 - 10:22 AM.

[miniGTS]

Thanks for the feedback. I think I'm leaning towards the 266 cam. Some online comments say it's a slightly lumpy idle while others say it's a smooth idle.

[imack]

I used to have a 998 with a 266 cam, it had a slightly lumpy idle. A 1275 should be fairly smooth I'd imagine.

[68Deluxe]

SW5

[Cooperman]

The 266 is a great cam. Peak power at 5700 rpm and peak torque at around 3800 rpm (from memory). It’s almost identical to the MG Metro cam.
There is always a lot of talk about cams but on road cars you will usually not see much difference. It might be different on a track where the difference could be a second per lap or so. In fact, the quality of the porting of the head, the timing advance and the compression ratio will make more noticeable difference than one of several but similar cams.