Cam options for 1500?

[Scott_Hower]

Hi all,

I'm looking for opinions on a slightly hotter cam for my Spitfire 1500. It will have a pair of EU-spec HS4s and a stainless tubular header with twin mufflers.

I'm looking for a boost in mid-range torque, from about 2k up to about 5k. Would like to keep a relatively smooth idle.

The Piper BP270 looks like it might be a good alternative. Anyone have any other recommendations?

Any downside to a "regrind" vs new?

 

[SilentUnicorn]

I have a Kent TH2. pretty happy with it. I also am running twin hs4 and 4-2-1 header.
https://www.kentcams.com/

When they say 2500 and up- they mean it. But after that Hold ON....

m

 

[Hap Waldrop]

Here's a trick for you, if you are cam shopping, use a Spitfire 1300 camshaft and then use the 1300 cam bearings. All Triumph did on the 1500s was to make the cam journal large enough to run the cam on the block rather than use cam bearings, I'm sure to save few bucks, you can fix this by using the 1300 cam and cam bearings. I use APT cams, I know David Anton and I know how he hardens his cams and his lifter are the best, and now he has lifters for your 1500 engine as well.

 

[Scott_Hower]

Here's a trick for you, if you are cam shopping, use a Spitfire 1300 camshaft and then use the 1300 cam bearings. All Triumph did on the 1500s was to make the cam journal large enough to run the cam on the block rather than use cam bearings, I'm sure to save few bucks, you can fix this by using the 1300 cam and cam bearings. I use APT cams, I know David Anton and I know how he hardens his cams and his lifter are the best, and now he has lifters for your 1500 engine as well.

I saw his site. Looks like he chills his cams rather than induction hardening them. They also look to be about twice as expensive.

Do I need to machine the block to fit 1300 cam bearings or will they install just fine in a 1500? I've read that, given the cam spins at half the engine RPM, bearings are not really necessary unless I'm building a race engine. They certainly are cheap enough to install. Must they be cut after pressing in, or do they just "fit"?

And I can use any 1300 cam with no other mods?

 

[Morris]

I have heard that the stock 1300 cam is a little hotter than the stock 1500. Hap, can you confirm this?

 

[Guest]

Why twin mufflers? I had some on a Saturn I bought and they sounded like crap. Keep your exhast velocity up and just run a single.

 

[Scott_Hower]

Why twin mufflers? I had some on a Saturn I bought and they sounded like crap. Keep your exhast velocity up and just run a single.

Same reason you run a DGV.

Because it's your car and you can.

 

[Hap Waldrop]

The 1500 cam bearings go right in the 1500 block without any mods. David ion nitrites his camshafts, unlike salt bath nitriting, this cause little to no warping, thus saves time in straightening after being heat treated. Cryo is not as good a surface hardening service as nitriting for cams and cranks.

I have no idea if the stock 1300 cam is hotter than the 1500 stock cam, but David at APT will have few grinds to choose from.

 

[Guest]

Hap, is that a typo, you meant 1300 cam bearing, right?

Why twin mufflers? I had some on a Saturn I bought and they sounded like crap. Keep your exhast velocity up and just run a single.

Same reason you run a DGV.

Because it's your car and you can.

I run a DGV cause it came on the car. I'm going Mega squirt or dual SU's when I can; still undecided. You'll have more low end with a single IMO.

Which mufflers?

 

[Scott_Hower]

I run a DGV cause it came on the car. I'm going Mega squirt or dual SU's when I can; still undecided. You'll have more low end with a single IMO.

Which mufflers?

This one

Triumph Spitfire Stainless Steel Sports Exhaust Systems
Twin Rear Silencer - Full System (Including 4 Branch Tubular Manifold)

 

[Morris]

Are you putting that on a Midget?

 

[Scott_Hower]

Are you putting that on a Midget?

Nope, Spitfire 1500.

 

[Morris]

Phew. Was worried for a minute. That won't fit on a Midget. It's gonna look/sound great on your Spit, though.

 

[billspit]

I have heard that the stock 1300 cam is a little hotter than the stock 1500. Hap, can you confirm this?

I went through this when I was cam shopping a year or so ago for my 1500. The 1500 has the worst cam profile as I recall. It doesn't like to rev. The late 1147 (MkII) or early 1296 (MkIII) actually had a pretty good standard cam in it. Not sure if the cam in the late 1296 (big journal) is the same as the early small journal 1296 or not.

I ended up getting the BP270 cam from BPNW. It's ground by Delta, who I hear has a decent rep. I wish I could tell you I had finished and started the engine but I haven't.

APT has good new cams and the best lifters, but be prepared to spend a few bucks. It may be money well spent with what all I'm hearing about failing lifters these days.

 

[Guest]

I'd like to get just the header. See if they will make you a deal on an extra header. That'll help pay for your shipping. ( I imagine it'll fit a Midget.) Wait, that aint right ( for me). My exhast is on the pass side.

 

[Scott_Hower]

I'd like to get just the header. See if they will make you a deal on an extra header. That'll help pay for your shipping. ( I imagine it'll fit a Midget.) Wait, that aint right ( for me). My exhast is on the pass side.

It arrived a month ago; when Rimmer had a 15% off sale.

The Spit 1500 and Midget share the same engine. It will fit the head; no idea on the downpipe curvature.

 

[Hap Waldrop]

Hap, is that a typo, you meant 1300 cam bearing, right?

Yes, meant 1300 cam bearing, it will not let me edit now :frown:

 

[Guest]

Maybe we need to do a 1500 sticky. I know we've (Hap) covered this before.

 

[Morris]

The Spit 1500 and Midget share the same engine. It will fit the head; no idea on the downpipe curvature.

A Spit header will not fit a Midget. The difference in frame rails result in a different down pipe location for each.

 

[Guest]

That header looks like it goes on the drivers side, not the pass like a Midget too.