uprated cam

[markh]

Has anyone any experence (good or bad) on an uprated cam for a 4.0 TVR, I am also fitting an uprated ECU as well

thanks Mark

[350matt]

I'm currently running a Iskenderian 270 cam (american make so like the budgie) which on my 3.9 lump in my wedge gives about 270Bhp and is reasonably driveable. What I have yet to hear a bad report about are the latest 'Hybrid' cams from Kent (I think), mabye someone knows more?
In summary though most of the performace cam grinds are very similar, mainly as the Rover's been around for ages so the cam profile is pretty well developed, I'd go off your engine builders reccommendation or failing that a car you can drive and ensure you're happy with the result.

Matt

[seb]

Mark,
My V8S has an uprated cam (Kent H214), listed David Hardcastle's Rover V8 book as a Fast Road Cam. I can't vouch for any improvement over the original as it's the only V8S I've driven, although I have dyno printout that gives max bhp as 279 (standard 240). Driveability is fine but the tickover is a little lumpy, it feels like it might cut out on deceleration on occasions but picks up. The engine hunts a bit when crawling along (10-20 mph) in traffic and occasionally needs help from the clutch when weather is cold.
In comparison to my previous car 350i, despite the extra cc's, it's got so much more bo**ocks in the mid rev range.
Steve

[2 Sheds]

Kent H214 was fitted as standard in some if not most of the 4.3 Griffiths and Chimaeras. the only problem is that it does'nt produce much torque below 1500 rpm, the Kent 218 seems about the best for road use as it produces more low down torque the part numbers are misleading the 218 is "softer than the 214. you should have no problem with the MOT emissions either.
Tim

[HarryW]

Talking of cams does anyone know what the cam is in the 400HC engine? I've been lead to believe it's the same as the 500 engine one the (TVR)435, is the 435 a TVR 'special' or is it just another Kent profile that TVR use? Also at what point does the 435 produce it's peak output, as the installation in mine seems to have the rev limiter set at around 5.5 - 5.75K rpm

Are there any other profiles in the Kent locker that are better than this at releasing power, if (and when) it needs changing?
Cheers in advance.

Harry

[Wedg1e]

I have an RPI Engineering RP1 cam in my 390SE (now the same capacity as the V8S/ 400SE motor, i.e. 3948cc), and prior to the rebuild, I reported that it seemed to still be building power at the electronically rev limited 6000rpm, in 2nd and 3rd gear.
Not sure how it's going to work out with a slightly lower c.r. now, as I haven't got the rev limit set as high whilst I run the engine in.
The RP1 is sold as a 'Fast Road' cam; I had to have valve cutouts in the new piston crowns due to the extra lift (1mm?) and duration over standard 3.5L cam.

W.

[2 Sheds]

TVR use Kent for there cams but the cam spec is not available, in the early HC it would be similar to the kent 214, of recent they have become "softer" to meet emission requirements.

[HarryW]

quote:
TVR use Kent for there cams but the cam spec is not available, in the early HC it would be similar to the kent 214, of recent they have become "softer" to meet emission requirements.

Thanks Tim, when you say that they are becoming softer do you mean the 214 is softer or is it the 218 the softer version of the 214 (or even vica versa)?
I take it that even TVR couldn't produce a 435 nowdays then, I assume that it must have only been fitted to the early 500's as well then.
If mine does need replacing then what would you recommend to get the most out of the 400HC, for someone thats uses the car as a toy and is not bothered by bottom end somoothness just maximum GO.

Harry

All the above is assuming that my cam is as tired as I think it may be getting

[2 Sheds]

What i meant was that the TVR cams are getting softer, the kent numbered cams i.e 214 have remained consistent. The 218 (which is softer than the 214) is the most popular, speek to Ray or shaun at V8 Developments,01775 750000 they also have a new alternative. these cams provide more torque and still manage to pass MOT tests.get them to email a power graph to you, if they can't i will, but am currently without a scanner.

[pbrettle]

quote:
Talking of cams does anyone know what the cam is in the 400HC engine? I've been lead to believe it's the same as the 500 engine one the (TVR)435, is the 435 a TVR 'special' or is it just another Kent profile that TVR use? Also at what point does the 435 produce it's peak output, as the installation in mine seems to have the rev limiter set at around 5.5 - 5.75K rpm

TVRs are great arent they? I have a 400HC from 94 and it has the rev limit set to around 5000 (I think it is supposed to be 5250, but never really looked hard enough to read it). But there was a change from the low rev limit to the higher set one post 94. This is a program change in the chip rather than anything else.

As for cams - the 400HC has exactly the same engine as a 400 except that it has a different ECU chip (I know from bitter experience and it is more expensive than the 400 - which is virtually standard to a LR), and ported / polished heads and increased compression. The difference is supposed to be 275 versus 240 but the big difference is on torque - which is seriously up but cant remember the number. If memory serves me right the compression ratio is 10 on the HC while it is 9 on the normal one. The head change does make it breath more easily.

There were some 400's built with the ported and polished heads only which had something like 260BHP but this was just before the introduction of the HC model anyway. But internals are the same.

Cheers,

Paul