404 solid lifter camshaft

[llsteve]

Can anyone give me some technical background and experiences from using this particular camshaft?

Thanks in advance
Steve

[yiw1393]

Speak to V8 Developments. Or Peninsula. Saw (heard) one at Peninsula some time ago in a Griff. Sounds absolutely awful until engine is up to temp. Think V8 with no oil and rattly bearings. Apparently goes like a royal valet after an injuction, but never experienced first hand. Must admit have toyed with the idea though - the camshaft that is.

[Nacnud]

My story is here www.tvrcc-bristol.co.uk/reports/03/0302Peninsula/main.htm

Also worth a search of PH as there has been plenty of discussion regards the merits of the 404 cam, especially on the Wedge forum

[rapidpete]

Hi llsteve, have a 404 fitted to my Griff 500.
I have to say that the engine sounds a bit tappity when cold but it mostly dissapears when up at running temp.The engine needs a serious tune after fitting, re-map on the rolling road etc, and tappet adjustment at every service. Downside for some is "lumpy" low engine speed, so it won't help with drive-line shunt issues.
Plus side is...can restore engine output figures to TVR quoted spec, I have 340+lbft of torque!

I have had the "sports exhaust" mod performed on the Griff, remove pre-cats and sleeve silencer internals so I have no idea if the tappets are clattering, and who cares! The car sounds like a nascar racer and actually goes like one now!

[yiw1393]

You'd recommend then Pete?

What was the final cost? (If I might be so bold)

[Apache]

Ditto, see my profile, tree stump pulling torque, pulls all the way up the revs, I chickened out as the tach went past 6800 at Brunters, sounds like a bag of spanners till warm though

[Boosted LS1]

Anybody got it's timing/lift specs?

[HarryW]

Boosted LS1 said:

Anybody got it's timing/lift specs?

Not sure but I think its a special grind to V8Developments spec, so probably a license required to use it. Similar to the MC1, whiich again is a V8D grind.
Speak to Ray at V8D.

Harry

[Boosted LS1]

Thanks Harry.

I'd have thought that somebody here would know their own cam specs seeing as they have had it fitted. I may give Ray a shout if nobody has the info. I'm curious to compare it with a hydraulic grind that I have so I can run them back to back on a dyno simulator program.

[HarryW]

Boosted LS1 said:

Thanks Harry. I'd have thought that somebody here would know their own cam specs seeing as they have had it fitted. I may give Ray a shout if nobody has the info. I'm curious to compare it with a hydraulic grind that I have so I can run them back to back on a dyno simulator program.

Ah do you have V8Ds MC1 on there, I know its 218 based(ish) but not sure if its tamer or wilder as the manners are apparently better than the 218. Only ask as I'm currnetly running a 218 and to be honest I'm not sure I'm ready for the clattering of the 404 yet but could be swayed (next years unpgrade that is ) to try something other than the 218. Assuming the gains are worthy .

Harry

[Boosted LS1]

Harry, no I don't but I do have about 30-40 others including the 218. I can play around with valve events such as the exhaust timing and get an indication of what might happen. Where software seems to be good is in 'apples for apples' comparisons. I have some info and positive feedback on some very revvy hydraulic grinds and just wondered if they were behind the solids. My feedback is from a nutty swede drag racer and they are pretty good at what they do

Personally, I have always prefered hydraulic grinds for obvious reasons and if your not revving past 7k they make more sense to me.

[2 sheds]

I don't have any technical spec for the 404, but had one of the first in a road car fitted in 2000, from my experiences ( as fitted to a racing spec, 5.0L ), very good idle, stacks of mid range torque, revved its nuts off, so had the benefits of both kent H218 & H234, have to say that until i tried the 404 i was sceptical about using solid lifters for road use, but this one seems to be well suited. Its also ideal for use with the TVR500 over ported heads, to my knowledge doesn't like induction restrictions.
It has been developed by Rob Robertson (V8 developments) and Kent cams, licenced to V8 Developments as Harry said.
Tim

[llsteve]

Thanks Tim and everyone else who replied. There's some very helpful feedback there. I'm collecting information before starting a rebuild of a JE 4.5 in a T2 rally vehicle. It's very good to have the anecdotal comments as well as the technical specs.