4.5 camshaft replacement, or not?

[Jordie Barretts sock]

My 4.5 is on about 104k. I was under the impression that replacing the chain at 100k was a good idea. How much more hassle is a full cam change?

To clarify, the car is driving beautifully, the smallest of ticking from the cam when hot. No need to change the cam, except...because I can.

What's the smart thinking here? What cam to go for for a bit more fruitiness? And I suppose the engine has to come out/up?

[NeoVR]

Common understanding is that cams are usually due for changing every 50k miles due to lobe wear. normally a new cam would also include a new chain, lifters and adjustable pulleys anyway.
The engine doesn’t need to come out to change the cam.
As you have a 450, it should have pocketed pistons so you can have a more fruity cam..
The “stealth” cam from V8developments gets favourable reviews. I have one on my 450 and can’t fault it.

Edited by NeoVR on Saturday 10th December 18:44

[Jordie Barretts sock]

Well that was what I was thinking. If I've got to replace the chain and all the bits, I may as well do the cam as well.

[Belle427]

Not a bad job if your handy with the spanner’s.
V8D seem to be one of if not the best for everyday useable Tvr cams.

[Jordie Barretts sock]

Can it be done with the engine in situ? I'm sceptical.

[Belle427]

Easily yes.
I chose to remove the bonnet and chassis crossmember just to simplify access but no need to remove engine.

[Jordie Barretts sock]

Excellent! Thanks. Job for when it gets a bit warmer then.

[Belle427]

Just make sure your aware of the process as you will have to degree the new cam in and it’s quite tricky if you have never done it before, you will need a dti and degree wheel for this.
Plus there is the bed in procedure which is always a bit nerve racking.
I don’t think they charge silly amounts for a cam swap so maybe worth checking that out first.

[Jordie Barretts sock]

That might well happen!

[macdeb]

If/when you do, I'd go Piper 285 myself.

[Belle427]

I'd be interested to know the specs of the V8D cams but they are not well published.
I can't imagine they are much different to the grinds that the likes of Kent and Piper offer.

[Unweder]

I think V8D have just honed/fine tuned the profile and lift with a long period of knowledge and info , using all the good bits evolved you might say I'm pretty sure the 885 has been on a similar path

[TVR_AJN]

What cams are available. Mine can have a little ticking noise so I may think about changing it in the future, so would be interested to hear which cams are appropriate etc.

[Belle427]

Most go for either the Powers 885 or V8D Stealth.
Depends if you have pocketed pistons too as to which can be used.

[Jordie Barretts sock]

Which I have in my 450?

[Unweder]

Would not bother going for anything more spiky/radical than a Stealth/885 unless you have other mods on the engine , nothing worse than an over-cammed motor with no CR increase and poor flowing heads for example poor MPG is the only thing to look forward to and st drivability off cam

[Jordie Barretts sock]

Do either of those cams give a slightly lumpy tick over? And where is the increase felt most? Mid range?

[Unweder]

Jordie Barretts sock said:

Do either of those cams give a slightly lumpy tick over? And where is the increase felt most? Mid range?

Nice off-beat idle(nothing serious) then a nice linear shove to the redline , great midrange

[Jordie Barretts sock]

I don't mind a lumpy tickover as long as it picks up well.

Sounds like a convo with V8D in the NY then.

[mk1fan]

Jordie Barretts sock said:

Which I have in my 450?

USB borascope can answer that.