Bit OT cam and rocker selection for a 1430 NA
Turbo Mini Forums

Just after a bit of advice, I'm building up a 1430 for the Mrs car, out of bits i've accumulated over years. Very simple, low budget. Only thing I gotta buy is a cam for it because all i got are big cams. The head has big ports and big valves, but i actually want to make the car well mannered so doesn't need to be revved hard and she can pull away easily. So anyone got any suggestions/advice? I was thinking short duration high lift, something like a 266/276 with 1.5 rockers? Hopefully the big ports wont be too much of a burden.

Dan

SW5 would get my vote for that, made 90hp iirc and plenty of torque in my mates 1310/1330 with just an mg metro head. Perfect daily driver cam.

Edited by Carlzilla on 13th Oct, 2016.

276 would go fine in an engine of that capacity. I have a 266 in a 1330 engine in the minor and it pulls from nothing too.

Wouldn't waste money on the rockers tho.

Reckon a piper 285 would be quite tamed with the big capacity and long stroke.

I am building a 1360 with a Re13 should be good with your engine.

Just looked at that thread on here with all the cam figures.. very useful. Didnt realise the sw5 was such high lift. 276 is in the same region without the lift. People have mentioned cams in the 285/6 range with and without the rockers, I've had one before and I remember it being very driveable. It was a long time ago tho and i was much more tolerant than my Mrs probably is now so im not sure.

Edited by JetBLICK on 18th Oct, 2016.

I have a 1430 stroker in my road car that was very similar to your planned build.

Head with big ports and big valves, 1.5 roller rockers and ran a Kent MD296SP cam.

Was very smooth and tractable on the road as my daily driver. Need to watch for valve heights and spring bind.

That said, it's just had a refresh and I've put an RE13 in it. Won't know how it performs until after Christmas.

Out of interest has anyone done a direct comparison between 1.3 and 1.5 rockers? If not i might give it a whirl because im pretty sure they dont pick you up much power if you have a decent cam already. More aimed at as quick and easy 'bolt on' mod.

That would be interesting, but a lot will depend on if the head is ported to take advantage of the increased lift. Also some cams are designed to work with the higher ratios better.

Phil.

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My thinking was its the duration and thus the overlap which necessitates higher revs before the big cams start to work properly. The reading i've done suggests that 1.5's have their place, and with big CC's are a good way to get the air in without the drawbacks of the big cams. Its quite a lot of extra lift you get from 1.5s too.. for example on a 276 inlet you go from 9.14mm valve lift to 11.14

Whether they make the extra power with the extra lift is another matter, and seeing as you cant get regrinds anymore, getting the cam right first time would be nice! hence experience appreciated.

Edited by JetBLICK on 23rd Oct, 2016.