Stealth cam - friendly insurers?
Discussion
It's time for a new cam shaft on my 450, and I'm naturally considering the possibility of a Stealth cam.
I've just spoken to my current insurer, who are one of the mainstream insurers. After trying to explain what a cam shaft is, and that it doesn't really fit into any of their categories of engine mods, they're not able to give me an immediate answer and will refer it to the underwriter. I should get a call back eventually, but with Christmas coming I'm not expecting a quick response.
So I thought I'd ask here, just in case my current insurer says "no".
Can anyone recommend or suggest an insurer who has insured you with an upgraded cam shaft declared? There are no other mods.
Many thanks!
I've just spoken to my current insurer, who are one of the mainstream insurers. After trying to explain what a cam shaft is, and that it doesn't really fit into any of their categories of engine mods, they're not able to give me an immediate answer and will refer it to the underwriter. I should get a call back eventually, but with Christmas coming I'm not expecting a quick response.
So I thought I'd ask here, just in case my current insurer says "no".
Can anyone recommend or suggest an insurer who has insured you with an upgraded cam shaft declared? There are no other mods.
Many thanks!
In all honesty I don’t think a cam shaft change will make a huge difference to the original TVR quoted power figures which were ambitious shall we say. All you are doing is replacing whatever Hp has been lost over years of use.
I think unless you are doing a lot more mods that involve way more power than a cam change alone will provide there is absolutely no need to contact your insurance.
A stealth Cam is basically a like for like change and not very different from the 885 cam as fitted by Powers from new.
It already has a high lift performance cam fitted so the difference a stealth or any other cam will make is negligible on an otherwise standard engine IMO.
I think unless you are doing a lot more mods that involve way more power than a cam change alone will provide there is absolutely no need to contact your insurance.
A stealth Cam is basically a like for like change and not very different from the 885 cam as fitted by Powers from new.
It already has a high lift performance cam fitted so the difference a stealth or any other cam will make is negligible on an otherwise standard engine IMO.
Classic Chim said:
In all honesty I don’t think a cam shaft change will make a huge difference to the original TVR quoted power figures which were ambitious shall we say. All you are doing is replacing whatever Hp has been lost over years of use.
I think unless you are doing a lot more mods that involve way more power than a cam change alone will provide there is absolutely no need to contact your insurance.
A stealth Cam is basically a like for like change and not very different from the 885 cam as fitted by Powers from new.
It already has a high lift performance cam fitted so the difference a stealth or any other cam will make is negligible on an otherwise standard engine IMO.
This ^ I think unless you are doing a lot more mods that involve way more power than a cam change alone will provide there is absolutely no need to contact your insurance.
A stealth Cam is basically a like for like change and not very different from the 885 cam as fitted by Powers from new.
It already has a high lift performance cam fitted so the difference a stealth or any other cam will make is negligible on an otherwise standard engine IMO.
Interesting. I thought the standard cam was 435?
I’ve posted the same question on the Facebook group, and lots of people are telling me I needn’t bother declaring it.
But I would feel more comfortable with it declared, even though it’s unlikely to be more than about 5% increase in power over TVR’s official figure.
In the case of a run-of-the-mill insurance claim after a modest accident, I’d agree they’re almost certainly not going to tear the engine down to investigate. But I think people often overlook how massive a claim could be, especially when you consider third party liability. It’s not difficult to imagine knocking a pedestrian down and putting them in a wheelchair for life - it could happen to any of us on a bad day - and the third party claim would be hundreds of thousands if not millions. In that case, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the insurer explores every possible avenue to avoid the payout - or to come after the policyholder.
I’ve posted the same question on the Facebook group, and lots of people are telling me I needn’t bother declaring it.
But I would feel more comfortable with it declared, even though it’s unlikely to be more than about 5% increase in power over TVR’s official figure.
In the case of a run-of-the-mill insurance claim after a modest accident, I’d agree they’re almost certainly not going to tear the engine down to investigate. But I think people often overlook how massive a claim could be, especially when you consider third party liability. It’s not difficult to imagine knocking a pedestrian down and putting them in a wheelchair for life - it could happen to any of us on a bad day - and the third party claim would be hundreds of thousands if not millions. In that case, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the insurer explores every possible avenue to avoid the payout - or to come after the policyholder.
Edited by Dr Mike Oxgreen on Tuesday 14th December 13:46
The 885 is the direct replacement for the 435, developed by Tvr power. It’s the same as a revision change on an Oem part. The stealtcam is unlikely to produce any more power than a brand new 885 I would think as they are designed for exactly the same requirements. The differences will be difficult to spot bar details on exactly how the power is delivered and who makes the part.
The 885 smooths out some of the lumpiness of the original 435.
The 885 smooths out some of the lumpiness of the original 435.
Edited by SMB on Tuesday 14th December 14:11
Okay, so it has now been explained to me that the 435 is no longer available, and the 885 is now considered to be the OEM replacement cam.
So I guess a big question is: Is there much difference between Stealth and 885, in the absence of any other mods? If not, I could save myself a lot of hassle and simply go with an 885, then I can legitimately tell the insurer I’m staying standard.
Edited to add: Sorry, I missed your post SMB, I guess you’ve already answered!
So I guess a big question is: Is there much difference between Stealth and 885, in the absence of any other mods? If not, I could save myself a lot of hassle and simply go with an 885, then I can legitimately tell the insurer I’m staying standard.
Edited to add: Sorry, I missed your post SMB, I guess you’ve already answered!
If you do a search on here there are posts. That have graphas for 885 and stealth from rolling roads. In essence the two are very similar, designed for the 450 and 500 engines with piston cut outs.
I replaced a 435 with the 885 ,in a 500, much smoother drive, how much of that was a worn 435 I don’t know but it was a revelation to drive. You will find that people are happy with both stealth and 885, so it’s just a matter of personal choice.
I replaced a 435 with the 885 ,in a 500, much smoother drive, how much of that was a worn 435 I don’t know but it was a revelation to drive. You will find that people are happy with both stealth and 885, so it’s just a matter of personal choice.
Dr Mike Oxgreen said:
Interesting. I thought the standard cam was 435?
I’ve posted the same question on the Facebook group, and lots of people are telling me I needn’t bother declaring it.
But I would feel more comfortable with it declared, even though it’s unlikely to be more than about 5% increase in power over TVR’s official figure.
In the case of a run-of-the-mill insurance claim after a modest accident, I’d agree they’re almost certainly not going to tear the engine down to investigate. But I think people often overlook how massive a claim could be, especially when you consider third party liability. It’s not difficult to imagine knocking a pedestrian down and putting them in a wheelchair for life - it could happen to any of us on a bad day - and the third party claim would be hundreds of thousands if not millions. In that case, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the insurer explores every possible avenue to avoid the payout - or to come after the policyholder.
Yes sorry I should have said the 885 is basically a replacement for the 435. Dom replaced my 435 to 885 and It’s got a broader torque and power curve throughout the lower and mid range. I’ve posted the same question on the Facebook group, and lots of people are telling me I needn’t bother declaring it.
But I would feel more comfortable with it declared, even though it’s unlikely to be more than about 5% increase in power over TVR’s official figure.
In the case of a run-of-the-mill insurance claim after a modest accident, I’d agree they’re almost certainly not going to tear the engine down to investigate. But I think people often overlook how massive a claim could be, especially when you consider third party liability. It’s not difficult to imagine knocking a pedestrian down and putting them in a wheelchair for life - it could happen to any of us on a bad day - and the third party claim would be hundreds of thousands if not millions. In that case, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the insurer explores every possible avenue to avoid the payout - or to come after the policyholder.
Edited by Dr Mike Oxgreen on Tuesday 14th December 13:46
Same sort of Cam as the stealth really so your changing like for like almost.
Thanks for all the replies folks, it has really helped me.
On balance, given that the 885 is considered to be the OEM replacement nowadays, and also that it's pretty similar to the Stealth cam, I think I'm going to go with the 885. Then I believe I can legitimately tell the insurance company that I'm sticking with OEM and hence not making a modification.
Just a further follow-up question, if I may...
What other things should be replaced during a cam replacement? I know that the followers must be changed, and it seems sensible to replace the sprockets as well (chain as well?), but are there any other things? I'm thinking not necessarily things that are directly related to the cam, but things that become easily accessible along the way. Valley gasket? Rocker cover gaskets?
I won't be doing the work myself, I'd just like to know what I should ask for.
On balance, given that the 885 is considered to be the OEM replacement nowadays, and also that it's pretty similar to the Stealth cam, I think I'm going to go with the 885. Then I believe I can legitimately tell the insurance company that I'm sticking with OEM and hence not making a modification.
Just a further follow-up question, if I may...
What other things should be replaced during a cam replacement? I know that the followers must be changed, and it seems sensible to replace the sprockets as well (chain as well?), but are there any other things? I'm thinking not necessarily things that are directly related to the cam, but things that become easily accessible along the way. Valley gasket? Rocker cover gaskets?
I won't be doing the work myself, I'd just like to know what I should ask for.
Any gaskets in that area, water pump maybe while your there.
I found although my belt tensioner pulley wheel was working it was only by replacing it did I realise how much of a whooshing sort of noise it made and how worn it must have been. Belt used to vibrate a little. New one removed any noises and belt stayed far more static.
Nor vital as it can be done at any time.
I’d tend to wait until they have pulled it apart for the cam change before buying anything as that might flag up a few other things that might need replacing then.
I found although my belt tensioner pulley wheel was working it was only by replacing it did I realise how much of a whooshing sort of noise it made and how worn it must have been. Belt used to vibrate a little. New one removed any noises and belt stayed far more static.
Nor vital as it can be done at any time.
I’d tend to wait until they have pulled it apart for the cam change before buying anything as that might flag up a few other things that might need replacing then.
these can also suffer further with a failing cam as they get unfiltered oil from the sump so are witness all the s
t and metal paste check the front cover gear housing for scoring etc Classic Chim said:
In all honesty I don’t think a cam shaft change will make a huge difference to the original TVR quoted power figures which were ambitious shall we say. All you are doing is replacing whatever Hp has been lost over years of use.
I think unless you are doing a lot more mods that involve way more power than a cam change alone will provide there is absolutely no need to contact your insurance.
A stealth Cam is basically a like for like change and not very different from the 885 cam as fitted by Powers from new.
It already has a high lift performance cam fitted so the difference a stealth or any other cam will make is negligible on an otherwise standard engine IMO.
^^^^ This I think unless you are doing a lot more mods that involve way more power than a cam change alone will provide there is absolutely no need to contact your insurance.
A stealth Cam is basically a like for like change and not very different from the 885 cam as fitted by Powers from new.
It already has a high lift performance cam fitted so the difference a stealth or any other cam will make is negligible on an otherwise standard engine IMO.
Stealth cam is not like fitting something like Nitrous. You're worrying over nothing and expecting an awful lot from a cam.My modded 450 is insured through Henderson-Taylor who have no problem with the many engine mods (well above 300bhp). From experience having my other vehicles remapped the general insurer feedback is that though you have to notify changes to them the premium only rises (or they decide not to offer cover) if the standard power is increased by more than 20%. So those optimistic numbers that the factory published can help you here! BTW, I would also recommend getting a TVRCC valuation too if you have not already.
its a cam swap not a blower install 
Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff