A Metro cam or not?....

[moggiegeek]

I'm running what I've heard described as the standard 1098 upgrade. 12G940 head (plus suitably recessed exhaust valve seats), HIF 38, Maniflow inlet and exhaust and am pleased with the extra umph provided.
I've been wondering if there are any cam upgrades that would make a positive difference, given that the engine isn't designed to rev above 6000rpm.
Is there anything to be gained from the MG metro cam or is the standard 1098 cam good enough?
Is there another ( available) cam that might be recommended?

[bmcecosse]

The MG cam will help - it's designed to work up to 6000 rpm, but may lose you some low down torque. Actually the standard 1098 cam is pretty good - given the inflated cost of MG cams these days - I wouldn't bother. Plus - it uses a different oil pump - so you would need to pop the engine to get at the pump.... Oh and beware - many a Metro Turbo cam is offered for sale as an 'MG' cam - when it is not.... A C Dodd does a range of cams that he promises give excellent low down torque AND decent power without over-revving You may like to investigate there and ask his advise.

[liammonty]

Personally, i wouldn't bother with the MG Metro cam in your engine. As BMC says, they are very expensive now. I fitted one to the engine I rebuilt in our 1962 948 car, which was bored to 1030cc, with a 12G295 head, HIF 38 on Minispares manifold, freeflow exhaust (both with Marina manifold and also LCB) and Cooper rods and Cooper-style pistons to allow it to rev well without worrying. Granted the engine was shorter stroke than your 1098, but otherwise not desperately dissimilar. The MG Metro cam was OK when revved hard, but very poor on torque below 2500 or so RPM.

The cam was used to replace a Swiftune SW5-07, which I had serious problems with, and the drop in torque compared with the SW5 was huge. I've gone with one of AC Dodd's cams now (the 'Road torque one, IIRC) and it's super - plenty of low-down torque, but also pulls very well round to 6000 rpm. Basically, it's very driveable as a daily car, but goes well when needed (around 60 bhp, which is a big improvement over the standard 37). I reckon that your 1098, with the large valve 12G940, will also lose a fair bit or torque with the MG Metro cam, which just isn't worth it. Don't forget, while good for a 1275 engine, the cam design is now over 30 years old, and there are better options available. As BMC suggests, I'd give AC Dodd a call - his cams in my experience are very good, and he will advise well too.

For what it's worth, despite the tame cam, I found that the car runs far better with the small bore LCB system (Maniflow) than it ever did with the Marina manifold and freeflow exhaust from the Birmingham Morris Minor Centre fitted previously, and it was far easier to set up the carb on the rolling road with the LCB set up. I know some will disagree with this, but that's my experience with this engine.

[bmcecosse]

The MG cams were good when they were £20/25 - but not now ! Contact Adrian on Facebook and he will tell you all about his cams - and indeed if you 'follow' him he will show you how a cylinder head should be modified! https://www.facebook.com/ac.dodd.1

[moggiegeek]

Thanks for the above - I'm very interested in the AD camshaft described by Liam. Especially since with a stock 1098 but well run in now I won't be revving to +6000rpm and would prefer the power lower down - it is a road car after all.
Is there another way of getting to purchase AD camshafts apart from following on Facebook which I try to avoid?

On looking around Piper have suggested their METBP270 as the one to use in all A series engines - it claims no machining required with a lift of 0.385inch exhaust and inlet. What are opinions about going with this route?

[liammonty]

Hi moggieeek,

If you want to avoid Facebook, you can contact ML Motorsport, who AC Dodd works with. Andy there will be able to advise. If you can't find their number, let me know and I'll dig it out. It would be worth finding out about the lift too - one snag you may have is that the modern cams tend to have greater lift than the older ones, so you'll need to keep on eye on valve to block clearance with your 940 head.

[bmcecosse]

270 is far too much for what you want - avoid avoid. Nothing wrong with following ACD on Facebook - you will learn a LOT !