Looking for new Cam
Looking for new Cam
Author
Discussion

aidanbree

Original Poster:

298 posts

233 months

Tuesday 7th August 2007
quotequote all
My car is in the garage and I have been shown that it requires a new Cam. It is a 400 engine. I have been recommended that I should go the whole hog here and replace the chain etc. whilst I have the car stripped.

My mechanic is going to give a TVR dealership a call but I thought I would ask if anyone could recommend a supplier?

Thanks

Aidan

ray_von

3,047 posts

282 months

Tuesday 7th August 2007
quotequote all
I would have thought chain,sprockets etc would be a given.There are a load of places to get cams from and dealers will most likely get them from the usual suspects. V8d,rpi,tvr power for instance.

daren parker

14,997 posts

261 months

Tuesday 7th August 2007
quotequote all
ive been adviced to fit a kent cam mc1

aidanbree

Original Poster:

298 posts

233 months

Wednesday 8th August 2007
quotequote all
Knowning very little about Cams, can someone tell me;

- Do I need to replace the Cam with TVR dealer parts? Am I cheaper going elsewhere?
- Should I replace like for like or try something like http://www.v8developments.co.uk/camupgrades.htm?
- My mechanic is very good but is it likely to be a 'bigger job' replacing with the upgraded Cam?
- How much would the standard TVR 'kit' cost?

Cheers

Aidan

CaptiV8ted

822 posts

241 months

Wednesday 8th August 2007
quotequote all
If you upgrade to a different cam, then you will also have to change the valve springs, which will make the jobs more involved. The bonnet has to come off to replace a cam, exhaust y piece, cross bar, all belts and pulleys + fit new followers. It is quite a big job. Parts alone for an upgrade is £600 ish. Dunno how much a replacement cam and followers would be from a dealer. The actual cam itslef shouldn't vary in price that much. They're the same item really, just the lobes are ground differently.

coetzeeh

2,892 posts

266 months

Wednesday 8th August 2007
quotequote all
Speak to V8 Developments - they will give you expert advice.

Pasco

6,652 posts

258 months

Wednesday 8th August 2007
quotequote all
coetzeeh said:
Speak to V8 Developments - they will give you expert advice.
Definitely speak to Rob at V8 Developments as far as i am concerned he is the leading authority on this subject yes

Pasco

spend

12,581 posts

281 months

Wednesday 8th August 2007
quotequote all
At least you want cam, sprockets, chain, followers, front cover gaskets (and installation lubricant), not forgetting new oil (&filter..) & coolant. As said before if you change the cam profile you may well need the springs replacing to suit, which can be done without removing the heads (carefully).

The companies mentioned will normally supply a complete kit for a cam change which contains all the bits you need, just ask for the kit price not just the cam on its own so you make sure you get components that suit each other. Nothing wrong with installing a different (wilder) cam if you so wish.

Dave

steve-V8s

2,924 posts

278 months

Wednesday 8th August 2007
quotequote all
As said, if the cam is worn then the sprockets on the drive gear probably are as well. Generally I understand that changing the cam, drive gear and springs as a set is considered the norm. The important thing is to ensure you get a cam that matches what you want from the car. A “ hotter” cam may give you more or different power delivery but at the risk of more low end shunt. I was talked into a 224 cam which according to the rolling road results upped the top end power but has made the car horrible to drive around town. On the KentCams web site there was a chart comparing the use and power rev range for their cams. If you use the car to burble to the pub on sunny Sundays rather than exploring the rev limit in all gears the standard cam may be the best choice.

rev-erend

21,623 posts

314 months

Wednesday 8th August 2007
quotequote all
I would recommend talking with V8 developments your self - as I cam dictates how the car drives.. and it's you that does that bit.

Them call your mechanic and tell him what cam you want.

aidanbree

Original Poster:

298 posts

233 months

Wednesday 8th August 2007
quotequote all
Thanks everyone for the advice here.

I think that on consideration of the advice from here and the suppliers I have contacted that I will go for the MC1 - Fast Road Camshaft. It seems that this is better than the standard Cam but will not be geared too much towards high speed and will cope with dawdling round town too.

Thanks again for the help!

Aidan

Wildfire

9,950 posts

282 months

Wednesday 8th August 2007
quotequote all
If it's a standard 400 you'll want an MC1 from V8 Developments. A stealth may not fit. Best speak to Rob at V8 Dev. Good, power and torque. You'll want a full kit. New cam, new lifters, new gears and chain, gaskets, and rockers if you can afford it. Just had my inlet manifold off and the cam looks great, which saves me a load.

The other cam people tend to reccomend is the Kent 218.

Pasco

6,652 posts

258 months

Wednesday 8th August 2007
quotequote all
Pasco said:
coetzeeh said:
Speak to V8 Developments - they will give you expert advice.
Definitely speak to Rob at V8 Developments as far as i am concerned he is the leading authority on this subject yes

Pasco
Nuf Sed yes

aidanbree

Original Poster:

298 posts

233 months

Tuesday 21st August 2007
quotequote all
The stuff arrived at the garage but the mechanic was expecting a few things that werent delivered in the kit.

Chain Tensioner plus guide
Oil filter
Valve springs

Does anyone know whether these should be expect when buying a 'cam kit'

Cheers

Aidan

daren parker

14,997 posts

261 months

Tuesday 21st August 2007
quotequote all
thanks for or the info,ian lambert said he only fits the cam tvr reco.as the mc1 got a better profile than the orig tvr cam in my car

aidanbree

Original Poster:

298 posts

233 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2007
quotequote all
Sorry, does anyone know if the stuff I listed above should be in a cam kit?

Cheers

Aidan

ray_von

3,047 posts

282 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2007
quotequote all
Don't really understand what you want to hear. Surely you would be better off asking whoever supplied "the kit" what should be in it as I'm sure different suppliers include different things in their kits