Camshaft enquiry 1098 engine upgrade.

[moggiegeek]

Am building up an improved 1098. So far have inch and a half SU, K+N filter, Maniflow exhaust and inlet with 12g940 head. I have recessed the valve seats to 40 thou as recommended here. Now I am tempted by a Kent camshaft with a cam lift of 7.23 mm and valve lift of 8.85mm on standard rockers. Sadly its not going to work is it? Any cam suggestions to increase torque without being too cammy to drive?

[bmcecosse]

The standard AEA 300 cam is fine with this conversion. You can't rev a 1098 beyond 6000 anyway - but the best upgrade if you feel the need will be the MG Metro cam. DO fit a crankshaft damper....most important!

[moggiegeek]

Just to understand you correctly.
a) Is the standard cam ( as in the engine presently) fine?
b) Will the cam I was looking at have problems because of the lift?
c) Is AEA 300 a different cam?
d) Is it possible to buy a MG metro profile cam form Piper/ Kent or similar as good used ones seem unbelieveably rare.
Thanks for your help

[bmcecosse]

The standard AEA 300 cam in the 1098 engine is FINE with this conversion. The high lift of the cam you suggest WILL be a problem with the big valves - and will destroy the driveability of the car. If you must fit another cam - 266 from some suppliers will be fine - but check the lift is not excessive. But honestly - the standard cam is fine...

[moggiegeek]

Thank you - Opinion is so divided on Camshaft changes - it leaves some funds then. Which crankshaft damper do you recomend?

[bmcecosse]

No point fitting a 'wild' camshaft requiring high revs on a 1098....... Crank damper from any Mini after about 1980. But NOT MINI !!
Like this one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sprite-Midget ... 53dcfb08a1

[moggiegeek]

Hi all - thanks for the advice and links - the reality is that changing the cam either to MG 1300 or Kent 246 is impossible due to valve lift even with the smaller valve 12g940 head. Sinking the valves into the head just shrouds the valve and undermines any advantage gained and pocketing the block leaves you with other problems - eg top ring vulnerability and a subsequently unusable block...... so its stick with bolt on mods and standard cam. However all the other mods bolt on in an afternoon so I'll let you know....

[bmcecosse]

The MG 1275 cam has EXACTLY the same lift as a standard cam - it is perfectly ok with the 940 head conversion. Just a bit hard to find these days for some reason...... A 246 cam is hopeless anyway - don't bother. Some makes of 266 cam only have a tiny bit extra lift and could be used - but the lift must be checked and allowed for in the valve pocketing. This 'pocketing' is NOT harmful to gas flow - because after pocketing - you then 'un pocket' with a small taper nose stone around the valve seat. One infamous A series tuner claims it as actually beneficial to pocket (and unpocket) the valves because it reduces the throat length..... V doubtful logic there I think - but I do believe it does no harm if done carefully...