More Cam Questions............
Discussion
Hi all, it seems that there is a question regarding cams that pops up every few days, so sorry if it seems I’m following suit, but I need peoples advice and reasoned opinions!!!
Basically I’ve got a 94 M Chim with just under 71000 miles on the clock. It has full TVRSH and a raft or receipts going back to early 2000 (car had circa 25000k on it at that time). Within this raft of history lots of parts have been replaced (as expected) but there is no proof/history of cam replacement. I've had the car since mid Feb and noticed about a month after purchase a ticking noises coming from deep within its heart (don't believe it to be manifolds or gaskets), and it seems to be more prevalent when the engine is up to working temps. After returning from Chatsworth yesterday it seemed even louder than usual (200 mile round trip in convoy with the car being driven properly)!!
Now after reading many threads on types of cams and who to use I decided I’d do a bit of research and Email various companies (well established with good feedback). My findings shocked me somewhat.... I won't give names with prices as I feel this would be bad form!
But of the 4 companies I asked, (Power, V8 Developments, Neil Garner and David Gerald) for quotes for both Cam replacement and having the pre-cats removed (may as well have them done at the same time), there was a huge price difference....between best price and the dearest = £914. Both include VAT and fitting.
Now I’m not sure what to say, but how can the difference be that big. I’d expect both would have to do the same work and I’d also expect the job to take just as long from company to company. Not sure how long it would take but not even the hourly rate should make that bigger margin should it????
I asked all companies for the same (MC1 and pre-cat removal with everything Inc VAT).
1) If I leave the cam as is (save rather than borrow), what kind of effect can a worn cam have on the car. Not worried too much by a loss of performance more the fact it may lead to internal damage of other parts/block??
2) Any reasoned idea’s why there would be circa £900 price difference??
3) I live in the West Midlands, are there any other recommended companies worth asking??
4) I’ve heard good things about Neil Garner, has anybody had the same work done (cam) as I’d appreciate your views….feel free to Email me if preferred??
5) On a separate note, I have a few weeks left of my three month warranty……can a Cam be replaced under this????
Thanks in advance for your advice......
Dave
Basically I’ve got a 94 M Chim with just under 71000 miles on the clock. It has full TVRSH and a raft or receipts going back to early 2000 (car had circa 25000k on it at that time). Within this raft of history lots of parts have been replaced (as expected) but there is no proof/history of cam replacement. I've had the car since mid Feb and noticed about a month after purchase a ticking noises coming from deep within its heart (don't believe it to be manifolds or gaskets), and it seems to be more prevalent when the engine is up to working temps. After returning from Chatsworth yesterday it seemed even louder than usual (200 mile round trip in convoy with the car being driven properly)!!
Now after reading many threads on types of cams and who to use I decided I’d do a bit of research and Email various companies (well established with good feedback). My findings shocked me somewhat.... I won't give names with prices as I feel this would be bad form!
But of the 4 companies I asked, (Power, V8 Developments, Neil Garner and David Gerald) for quotes for both Cam replacement and having the pre-cats removed (may as well have them done at the same time), there was a huge price difference....between best price and the dearest = £914. Both include VAT and fitting.
Now I’m not sure what to say, but how can the difference be that big. I’d expect both would have to do the same work and I’d also expect the job to take just as long from company to company. Not sure how long it would take but not even the hourly rate should make that bigger margin should it????
I asked all companies for the same (MC1 and pre-cat removal with everything Inc VAT).
1) If I leave the cam as is (save rather than borrow), what kind of effect can a worn cam have on the car. Not worried too much by a loss of performance more the fact it may lead to internal damage of other parts/block??
2) Any reasoned idea’s why there would be circa £900 price difference??
3) I live in the West Midlands, are there any other recommended companies worth asking??
4) I’ve heard good things about Neil Garner, has anybody had the same work done (cam) as I’d appreciate your views….feel free to Email me if preferred??
5) On a separate note, I have a few weeks left of my three month warranty……can a Cam be replaced under this????
Thanks in advance for your advice......
Dave
Dave81 said:
Thanks Quinny, i understand there can be unforseen problems when doing the jobs i'm asking for.......but i still don't see how any company can charge £900 more/less than another for what is exactly the same job??
Think I can guess who was the most expensive. Give Jamie at 'CRE' a try. He just helped me with mine.
There is one item that in all the above posts that has not been mentioned as being replaced; the valve springs.
When you buy a cam kit you are supplied with the cam, followers,valve springs & cam lube. The cam manufacturers have specifically set the valve spring rates in conjuction with the profile you have requested to stop valve bounce etc. The original springs will probably be worn(weak). If the valve springs are not replaced this may have an impact on the warranty of the cam.
I would go back to the companies that quoted & see if any of them have correctly included the removal of the cylinder heads, remove valves,renew springs & reassemble. This potentially may be part of the price differance due to extra labour, headgaskets, head bolts etc.
When we carry out this process we also recut the valves to a three angle design & clean/match the inlet/exhaust ports. Apart from any immediate hp/torque gain this also allows the customer to get more benefit in the future if they decide to upgrade on induction kits etc.
Richard
Austec Racing
When you buy a cam kit you are supplied with the cam, followers,valve springs & cam lube. The cam manufacturers have specifically set the valve spring rates in conjuction with the profile you have requested to stop valve bounce etc. The original springs will probably be worn(weak). If the valve springs are not replaced this may have an impact on the warranty of the cam.
I would go back to the companies that quoted & see if any of them have correctly included the removal of the cylinder heads, remove valves,renew springs & reassemble. This potentially may be part of the price differance due to extra labour, headgaskets, head bolts etc.
When we carry out this process we also recut the valves to a three angle design & clean/match the inlet/exhaust ports. Apart from any immediate hp/torque gain this also allows the customer to get more benefit in the future if they decide to upgrade on induction kits etc.
Richard
Austec Racing
Have just had my cam replaced by Neil Garner - rear two lobes on original (500 Chim, 43K) were well worn and was down on power. After much reasearch (see several earlier threads) went for V8 Dev 'Stealth Cam' (Quinny offered much sage and reasoned advice) which cost £375 - Neil Garner did work (very, very good service) at around £45 per hour (special discount for TVRCC Members), all up cost me about a grand (inc. Cam) - difficult to be precise as he did other work as well - smoothbore induction from ACT, Racing Reds all round and full 12k service.
No new valve springs as V8 Dev say these not needed, therfore head did not come off. Performance is outstanding - significant observable increase in torque and acceleration - especially at 3k plus revs. No shunting, easy to drive at 30mph in 3rd/4th, maybe needs a few more revs at take off.
I would highly recommend this cam (it really suits me and my driving style) and Neil's service.
Hope this helps.
Ian
No new valve springs as V8 Dev say these not needed, therfore head did not come off. Performance is outstanding - significant observable increase in torque and acceleration - especially at 3k plus revs. No shunting, easy to drive at 30mph in 3rd/4th, maybe needs a few more revs at take off.
I would highly recommend this cam (it really suits me and my driving style) and Neil's service.
Hope this helps.
Ian
Thanks for all the advice guys, its appreciated. 
I've emailed a couple more companies to get a better idea on cost.....also where do you stop with mods?????
My car is original at the moment. I've been down the modifying route before and know it can be a bottomless pit regarding money. When i have the Cam done, think i'll get the pre-cats removed and smooth bore induction from ACT.
How much further can i go before remapping needs to be done??
I've emailed a couple more companies to get a better idea on cost.....also where do you stop with mods?????
My car is original at the moment. I've been down the modifying route before and know it can be a bottomless pit regarding money. When i have the Cam done, think i'll get the pre-cats removed and smooth bore induction from ACT.
How much further can i go before remapping needs to be done??
Dave81 said:
Thanks for all the advice guys, its appreciated.
I've emailed a couple more companies to get a better idea on cost.....also where do you stop with mods?????
My car is original at the moment. I've been down the modifying route before and know it can be a bottomless pit regarding money. When i have the Cam done, think i'll get the pre-cats removed and smooth bore induction from ACT.
How much further can i go before remapping needs to be done??
Those are sensible modsI've emailed a couple more companies to get a better idea on cost.....also where do you stop with mods?????
My car is original at the moment. I've been down the modifying route before and know it can be a bottomless pit regarding money. When i have the Cam done, think i'll get the pre-cats removed and smooth bore induction from ACT.
How much further can i go before remapping needs to be done??
when you fit the smoothbore service the aircleaner while your in the mouth opening(behind front grill)you should be happy with those mods.
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