2.9 Performance camshaft

[h271mbk]

Has anyone tried a 'performance' camshaft in their 2.9 S?

I've a Piper BP270 (+14 bhp) and a Kent V6T45K (+20bhp), both described fast road cams, in the garage and can't decide which one to install.

The Kent has a longer duration at 276 (Piper 268) but the Piper has very slightly more lift.

The Kent comes in a kit with lube, lifters and springs but I could use these with either.

All comments welcome.
N

[greenranger]

Hi, slightly different as I have 2.8.. But I have a high lift Kent camshaft in mine (couldn't tell you exact model but it was supposed to be +20bhp)
Although it sounds amazing, I must admit I haven't really noticed much difference over the original (or maybe I haven't really tested it other than doing 70 on the motorway). I don't really know much about camshafts but i wish i had gone with one that had abit more low end torque (like my audi does) which is way more fun when you put your foot down at the lower rev range as this cam on the S just doesn't want to know at all in low revs..

Steve

Edited by greenranger on Saturday 20th May 18:22

[h271mbk]

Thanks for the reply. 'Sounds amazing' is 90% of what the car's about for me. The S isn't exactly a practical car so I'm not too concerned about making it a little less practical.
Anyone else?
Thanks again for the response
N

[sebackman]

Hi,

I have a high lift cam in the old girl (S3C). You get more power and torque but sacrifice Power band width. Mine need at least 2500 rpm's to move. If you swap to a high lift cam I would suggest tochange to solid lifters. The original is hydraulic and may not cope with the higher lift. I did change mine when swapping in the new cam.

By the way, I have a cam from RM Wiliams (SC645) with the following specs:
Power band width: 2-6k RPM
Cam lift: 0,280”
Valve lift based upon rocker ratio 1,47:1
Inlet: 0,397”
Exhaust: 0,395”
Duration: 276 degrees
Timing: 24/72 72/24
Inlet timing: 114 degrees
Valve clearance
Inlet: 0,014”
Exhaust: 0,016

That look to be very similar to the Kent cam you were looking at. I have had it for years and even run it supercharged. Works fine albeit a little tired below 3k RPM’s

Kind regards
//Rob

[GreenV8S]

sebackman said:

Hi,
If you swap to a high lift cam I would suggest tochange to solid lifters.

I suspect you'll find that the cam is designed for either solid or hydraulic lifters so the existing cams will determine what type of lifter you need. before going to solid lifters, bear in mind that they are going to need regular adjustment - hydraulic lifters obviously are self adjusting.

[h271mbk]

Thanks for the replies, I have solid lifters in my car now + the Kent kit comes with new lifters and springs. Kent cam says power band 2000 to 6000 and piper 1500 to 6000. Can't make my mind up if it'll make the car better or worse to drive.
N

[mk1fan]

How do you plan to drive the car?

If its flat out all the time then the Kentcam. If it is going to be a mix of sensible road and flat out track then the Piper.

[h271mbk]

Thanks for the reply, flat out all the time sounds like hard work and very noisy. Perhaps the Piper as you've suggested.
Thanks
N

[Kitchski]

Don't put the BP270 in! Not unless you enjoy horrible tappety-sounding engines! I know this from experience.

If I'm totally honest, a fast road cam has also never given a power hike on our dyno in a Cologne lump. They're just too restricted and agricultural in the first place, and unless you pump lots of money in to the rest of the engine, the cam really won't do very much at all.

[h271mbk]

Thanks for the info, it's nice to hear from someone with experience. If I'm honest what I was after, rather than a power hike, was that lovely high lift cam sound. The car currently runs straight through pipes (with H pipe) and 2 small cherry bombs at the rear. Sounds great pootling about and ear-splitting when flat out.
Doyou think fitting one of these cams would ruin it?
N

[GreenV8S]

h271mbk said:

If I'm honest what I was after, rather than a power hike, was that lovely high lift cam sound.

I may be biassed, but by far the best way to do that is to buy a camshaft with more lobes on it. It also results in a massive torque increase and corresponding grin factor.

[Kitchski]

h271mbk said:

Thanks for the info, it's nice to hear from someone with experience. If I'm honest what I was after, rather than a power hike, was that lovely high lift cam sound. The car currently runs straight through pipes (with H pipe) and 2 small cherry bombs at the rear. Sounds great pootling about and ear-splitting when flat out.
Doyou think fitting one of these cams would ruin it?
N

The BP270 I had fitted in my 2.8 gave a slightly more metallic hard edged note at 4500rpm+, but it wasn't worth the awful clattering that came with it. According to Tickover (Ford engine specialists), they only use the Kent ones as the Piper has an aggressive ramp angle on the lobes, causing the valves to slam shut more abruptly than normal. I can only guess that's what was causing the awful noise. Took a year of faffing around before I pulled it and stuck the original one back in, and I've never looked back.

So for me it's Kent or nothing. I've no experience of fitted a Kent cam to a 2.9 Cologne, but I would assume it really isn't worth the aggro judging by how tuneable (or not in this case) the Cologne is.

My escapades with the cam taught me it's pointless tuning them. Enjoy a V6 S as they are (which I do) or stick a different engine in it (which I should have done). Or as Green says, get a V8S, as there is quite a jump in performance and smiles (quite a jump in cost too, in fairness!)

[AutoAndy]

...for what its worth, I got +20 bph without loss of torque or engine practicality ....

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Could be worth considering instead

[h271mbk]

Thanks for the replies. The Piper sounds like a no no. The Kent sounds iffy too. Can you recommend a high torque cam? A dyno session sounds like a must too, new cam or not I think I'll get. the car dyno next year.
Cheers
N

[Kitchski]

h271mbk said:

Thanks for the replies. The Piper sounds like a no no. The Kent sounds iffy too. Can you recommend a high torque cam? A dyno session sounds like a must too, new cam or not I think I'll get. the car dyno next year.
Cheers
N

Dyno can be worth doing. Most 2.9's are at a true 155bhp-165bhp. If I get ours unburied I'll do a dyno day sometime next year!

[sebackman]

I do think that the cam does add some hp but you need to rew harder to get over 3k to get going.

Mine does about +200hp on the rolling road but the heads and intake is also ported as I run supercharged normally.

//Rob

Edited by sebackman on Friday 26th May 16:13

[Kitchski]

sebackman said:

I do think that the cam does add some hp but you need to rew harder to get over 3k to get going.

Mine does about 200 on the rolling road but the heads and intake is also ported as I run supercharged normally.

//Rob

Well like I say, I've never seen a gain on a dyno when overlaying graphs.