camshaft recommendations 3.5L rover

[en]

I have a 5 speed tr7 with a 1989 rover 3.5L with 14CUX and tube headers. Engine is stock. Car is just a road driven fun vehicle
My camshaft is worn and needs to be replaced
is there a cam available that is an improvement over stock?
I may do a full performance upgrade one day, but just want it on the road to enjoy this summer

Thanks in advance
ian

PS, i searched the archives but most threads were for modified engines.

[roverman]

IMHO, many of the major aftermarket cam mfg's,Isky, Crane and Crower/etc., make FT. hydraulic cams for BOR. Keep it fairly mild and verify idle vacum is adequate,(standard computer tune), valve to piston clearance  and valve seal to retainer clearance is good.Side note, 215 Olds used "Beehive" springs with lightweight retainers,(upgrade).  Don't get "excessive"  on Zinc oil additive, (there is a tipping point).   Good Luck, roverman.

[Moderator]

Kenne Bell no longer sells camshafts, so I expect you're unlikely to find the exact grind I used when I built my Buick 215. Its published specs were 0.462" lift (both intake and exhaust), 260 degree duration, and 110 degree lobe center. Would I recommend it? I've always liked the noise it makes... but the grind seems to work better now that I've swapped cylinder heads to achieve an increase in compression ratio (i.e. from ~8.8:1 up to ~10:1). I don't know all that much about cams, but my impression is that a milder cam might have suited the lower-compression better.

What's your compression ratio?

[en]

Engine is North American stock compression ratio, 8.13 to 1?

[roverman]

You want a cam that will build best "dynamic" compression, in your needed rpm range.This means faster lift rates, with just enough overlap.  One reason oem's went to hydraulic roller cams, is because of this, = more efficient. Cheers, roverman.

[minorv8]

Either a std cam or a mild performance cam, your CR is too low for anything wilder.

[en]

Any particular make and model that is good?

[roverman]

You might consider talking to a "cam tech", at which cam company, your interested in.  TA Performance or Crower may have a suitable cam, in stock.   Crower has # 50230, as their mildest cam. Good Luck, roverman.

[en]

Great, thanks Art

Anyone up to speed on the lifter issues?
Crane has a good lifter but may have wrong cup size for a Rover push rod??

[roverman]

Pretty likely, all lifters you find are actually for sbc.,(lube throught the lifter/push rod). IMHO, I would upgrade to aftermarket tubular push rods. I like oiling from both directions, as long as push rod has a "restrictor hole ?  Cheers, roverman.

[Moderator]

I started out with fancy Kenne Bell lifters... but removed them almost immediately because one of the 16 was defective. I've used regular lifters - whatever my local NAPA had in stock for Buick 215 - ever since. Stock pushrods. Sometimes fancy aftermarket parts are an invitation to trouble despite their premium price.

[MGBV8]

Choose one of the milder ones:

http://www.iskycams.com/onlinecatalog.html

http://www.crower.com/camshafts/buick/215-300-340/buick-215-340-compu-pro-hydraulic-cam-250-hdp.html

http://www.cnc-motorsports.com/crower-50229-hydraulic-flat-tappet-camshaft.html

[en]

I've ordered a mild Isky cam with Crane lifters.
I'll see how the Rover push rods work with the Crane lifter

As an aside, i'm supprised there aren't universal adjustable pushrods on the market.
Something that is cut to length, insert end and away you go!!

[minorv8]

I used Crane lifters for years with Rover pushrods and did not notice any problems. I still have Crane lifters but updated to Comp Cams pushrods.

I think that slan six mopar engine has tubular pushrods that can be shortened but I am not 100 % sure about it.

I do have a set of adjustable pushrods (sold by Real Steel in UK) but I dont like the looks. Also, they adjustment requires space so I have never even trial fitted them.

[roverman]

Clan, I used to buy TRW/etc. aftermarket, Bu V6, 3 pc pushrods, and shorten them to correct length. Chromemoly, at a good price.  Cheers, roverman.