Cam chain or belt
Turbo Mini Forums

I know there have been a few posts on this subject but some are a few years old now.

I've been sifting through the suppliers web sites and have got down to the following possibles:

MSspares duplex lightened set (C-AJJ3325)
Kent cams power pulley (KENS12)
MSpares belt drive with rotoslide (C-AJJ3326RACE)

The cheapest set is around 50 quid the most expensive 200 quid. I know the belt will be quieter and possibly allow more accurate set up. Is it worth 4 times the money or what other tried and tested set ups are good value? If you can refer to part numbers that would be great.

Engine is 1987 metro turbo lump with head reworked for me by Benross. Expect to eventually run at 12-15psi+.

Thanks

It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt... Then it's hilarious!

The belt won't allow a more accurate setup. Just tak into conideration that a new chain will strech 1-2 degrees. I like chains, everyone owning a Vauxhall Ecotec engine will agree. However, the belt possibly saved my crank and rods once, as a follower cracked, and jammed my camshaft. God knows what would've happened if the belt hadn't broken.

On the A series does anyone know if the valves would hit the pistons if the belt snapped?

Presumably it would as people on here have smacked valves on the pistons when theyve siezed in the guides

Have you considered the Kent "silent chain" setup? The chain is made up from multiple plates, not like the conventional type with plates and rollers. Reputed not to stretch? And also quite a lot quieter than the normal chain. I'm running this on my car anyhow.

i got told by an average/poor mini specialist that the Kent chain wore out really quick and that they would never fit another one. personally i take everything they say with a pinch of salt but it does make you think twice.

Which alternative were they selling then?

Tom, do you have a part number for the silent chain setup? I'll take a look at that.

It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt... Then it's hilarious!

I don't I'm afraid, however regarding the wear issue I can tell you that it has done over 20k in my road mini a few years ago, and was like new when I took it out of that shagged engine, it is now in my turbo engine. Min-its I believe still sell it (that is where I bought mine, 10 years ago now), listed as "high velocity silent chain" kit.

Thanks Tom - I'll have a look at it on their website.

It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt... Then it's hilarious!

Nic the answer is yes or no,

depends what cam you have, how deep the chamber is, how thick the headgasket is etc LOL

seriously thiough, its nearly always yoing to be a yes apart from some confiurations using certain std cams. fo example it is possible to build an non pocketed small bore with a 12g940 head with the right cam.

They may have modified it now, but there were some dimensional problems with the MS lightened steel set-up that caused them to be misaligned the wrong way for shimming to correct (ie the crank sprocket was already further out than the cam sprocket).

I had the issue but was told it must be my block or crank as in x amount of sales there was never a reported problem until mine.
Not long after Rich at MS North also came across the issue and they then they decided to get to the bottom of it!

i recently had a rotoslide belt ( not broken but stripped .. even after extensive and meticulous autosy i can't frigin find a cause )die after a full engine build and 35 miles tops..

even with a mild cam (sw5) forged rockers 1.5x ratio and not all that high CR the valves will make contact if the pistons are set up a zero deck height..

damage
4 lightly marked pistons,8 bent valves, one scrapped cam and 4 rod bolts eaten. head not damaged thank g%d. just needed a very very light recut
all main bearing suspect and thus changed.. $$$$$

oh the cogbox had to be fully disassembled for cleaning, and rebuild

That said i think the belt was a fluke and it runs very nice whuile it did.. fitted a kent double instead ..

Edited by Sir Yun on 1st Nov, 2007.

That sir, is not rust, it is the progressive mass reduction system

http://aseriesmodifications.wordpress.com/

Hi,
Had my belt on for 12years now. No problems. What cam you run will determine how much load is put on ti's drive
A turbo spec cam, won't trouble a chain too much compared to a 285 NA cam.
I run a 285 on my belt drive non adjustable.
Cheers,
Gavin :)

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My Cam is a 266. By the looks of the comments on this post it looks to me like a decent duplex will be fine for my purposes. Thanks to all

It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt... Then it's hilarious!