How to pick a Camshaft for your Mini?
March 5, 2008 by donminimania
I have been building and racing Minis 35 years and still I find more information out there to try to help make the right decision. I, for one, believe that the camshaft does not make the engine but is simply one of the many critical components that ALL need to be considered to achieve the desired performance. If you have an almost stock engine and try to ‘make it better’ with a Semi race camshaft, you will find yourself going slower!
There are a lot of variables about both the camshaft, related components that must all be considered.
Mini Mania has a large selection of technical information and articles that can be found here: Mini Mania Information
Just a few more of the questions:
What is meant by Basic RPM?
What is Camshaft Duration and why is it important?
What is the difference in Advertised Duration and Duration at .050″ Lifter Rise (Tappet Lift)?
How does Valve Lift affect the operation of an engine?
What is Camshaft Lobe Separation and how does it affect the engine?
What are Intake and Exhaust Centerlines?
How does Advancing or Retarding the camshaft’s position in the engine affect performance?
Why is it necessary to know the Compression Ratio of an engine in order to choose the correct cam?
How does Cylinder Pressure relate to the octane rating of today’s unleaded fuel?
How does an increase in Rocker Arm Ratio improve the engine’s performance?
Must new (Standard Design) lifters always be installed on a new camshaft?
What Engine Oil and Lubricants should I use?.
What is Valve Spring Installed Height?
How Does Installed Height Affect the Spring Tension?
How Do You Change Installed Height, and What Effect Does it Have?
How Do You Increase the Spring Travel?
Besides Coil Bind, What Other Types of Mechanical Interference Should You Look Out What is a Quick Way to Check Valve to Piston Clearance on an Assembled Engine?
All of this and more can be found here: http://www.cranecams.com/?show=faq&id=2
Yet another point of view can be found here: http://www.babcox.com/editorial/ar/eb30228.htm
