cam upgrade for mild 'street' L28

[Retro Z]

Since i am in the process of modifying/building/buying parts for my engine i am wondering if it is worthwhile upgrading my camshaft.

 

My engine is currently at the machinist getting bored for 2mm oversized pistons and head shave for slightly added compression. Its a L28 n42/n42, running triple 40mm dellortos, extractors and straight pipes with electronic ignition and soon a lightweight flywheel.

 

It will be driven maybe once a week, i am after sound predominantly and something responsive, it wont ever see the track..so i don't care much for performance, something lumpy may be ideal. Preferrably with a mid range powerband.

 

So what spec cams are you running? Should i upgrade or leave it stock. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

 

[dat2kman]

Call in to Clive Cams, (melbourne) they are very knowledgable and will give you good advice.

 

Some on this forum will strongly encourage you to stick in the biggest wildest lumpiest cam, "cos not race car"!

 

Theres a related thread here about head shaving, how much etc, lots of suggestions there, poor op, totally confused!

 

Me , in your shoes, i'd be putting a nice gentle ( not aggresdive)  equivelemt to, 72 degree in it.

Not too ,uch duration, and that will keep good air velocity through the 40mm carbs.

Go larger, and it'll start to spit, fart and stumble at some point.

Yes it will need a rejig of rocker geometry, and new thicker lashpads.

[Retro Z]

Thanks for your help. I will be upgraded the lashpads and springs etc in the kit from Motorsport Auto. I will most likely purchase the cam from them aswell.

 

Just asking all the questions now as it will save me time and money in the long run. I have been reading conflicting info online saying that 240z camshafts are different and superior to 280zx camshafts, but other sources say they are the same 'A' grind.

 

Anybody know if they are the same or if the 240z camshaft will work as an upgrade on a L28?

[Enzo]

Hi,

All parts can be bought through Stewart Wilkins Motorsport in Sydney. I resently purchased a spare 72 degree cam and springs, rockers and spring retainers were also supplied .

David

[Jason89]

I also got my camshaft and parts from Stewart Wilkins, good to deal with, they will be able to supply you with the lash pads to suit. Dont forget to get the rockers machined.

[Retro Z]

Thanks for your help guys. The SWM website doesn't work to well so i'll just give them a call on friday.

 

So a 72 degree cam seems to be the common choice for everyone.?

[dat2kman]

And did you call Clive Cams, they are local to you!

[Retro Z]

And did you call Clive Cams, they are local to you!

 

I just thought they might not know stuff related to Z's, but i will call and see what they offer.

 

Thanks

[gav240z]

Hey Tai,

 

I have been giving the same thing a bit of thought on my budget build. I was originally going to just use the A-Grind cam and stick Triples on it, but I can't help but think the right camshaft profile along with compression increase thanks to flat top pistons and port matched triples would provide for a good bump, whilst keeping it all sensible and within budget on a basic refresh.

 

I actually found this Japanese shop in Japan called Green Leaves Japan and this video shows a relatively quick 240z - I mean not amazingly mind blowing quick, but a nice little rig.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FqYkdliZFE

 

Apparently he's running standard everything (at least as best as I could gather with my back and forth Youtube commentary). I'd have thought that it was over carb'd and the bottom end would need work for 7000rpm but there ya go!

 

Let me know how your discussion goes with Stewart Wilkins and Clive Cams.

 

 

[Retro Z]

Hi guys. Just got off the phone with Clive cams. Very helpful and knowledgeable, after discussing what i want and future modifications etc i was recommended a 74 degree cam with medium to high lift (did not get all the details) $130 changover and around $400 for all other bits like lash pads and springs etc. Plus an hour or 2 for installation. I was told $700 will see the whole job done which is good value in my opinion. I could not get onto SWM over the phone, so will try later today and see what they offer and recommend.

[sydney mike]

Great that Clive cams gave you some good info but here's some more for you. It gives you an idea re powerband revs, compression etc. Have a look and see where most of your driving rev-range will be.  I have the 712 in mine:

 

http://www.camtechcams.com.au/niss_6cyl_lseries.html

 

And just repeating what many others have said, shaving head on Lseries (other than just for making sure surface is not warped) is not a good idea. You are getting new pistons, wouldn't flat tops bring the comp up enough anyway?

 

http://www.viczcar.com/forum/index.php/topic,14822.0.html

 

I also have L28 n42/n42  and IIRC the comp is low at around 8:5. I'll soon be rebuilding with flat tops. When I have a minute I'll send you the dynograph of before & after with the triple carbs & light flywheel etc.

[Retro Z]

 

shaving head on Lseries (other than just for making sure surface is not warped) is not a good idea. You are getting new pistons, wouldn't flat tops bring the comp up enough anyway?

 

 

Thanks. Yes i am going forged wiseco piston i think 88mm? 2mm oversized flat tops.

 

As for shaving, not much is coming off..just a skim (to get the surface true)i think he said 20 thou? with a metal headgasket. The builder/machinest is someone i already know that owns a couple of Z's himself so he has a good idea what needs to be done.

[dat2kman]

 

 

I just thought they might not know stuff related to Z's, but i will call and see what they offer.

 

Thanks

Tolded Ya!

He's been around for years.

When the works rally cars came to Australia, the Aussie camshaft shops couldnt get a hold of the cams quick enough, to run them up in the profile machines and copy them.

We here ended up making them a lot better!

 

Tell us your pricing from SWR when you get it!

 

You Victorian guys should stick with and promote your lcal suppliers. Wade cams was one, but no longer.

Clive Cams bought all Wades data, stock, machinery.

 

Keep it Australian! We're better!

[luvemfast]

I think that all the PMC's have Wade cams.

Heard any complaints?

So stick with Clive, Tai 

[Retro Z]

Yeah thats what im thinking to do. SWM hasnt answered their phone or replied to emails so i guess my money is going to Clive, that and they offer top class customer service. Going to try book my engine in with them in 2 weeks once i get my motor back from rebuilders as Clive wants to do the setup himself.

[d3c0y]

74 degree would have been my choice.

[gav240z]

So you supply the standard camshaft and they modify it to suit the given profile is that right?

 

In that case does it matter what type of camshaft you supply?* i.e 240z A-Grind vs 280c or 280zx camshaft profiles?

 

Can anyone of these be modified for the same outcome? Or is it better to start with a particular profile?

 

Obviously this wouldn't apply to a new billet (like Schneider cams does).

 

*ignoring the internally oiled vs spray bar aspect of the different camshaft profiles.

 

[dat2kman]

Yes, see my post in shaving head.

You supply any old bumpystick, it gets ground, but only within the limits.

To get ia higher lft, more duration, they can be spray welded up, then straightened ( they will bend) and ground.

An undrilled spraybar cam, can eadily can have oil holes drilled , to eliminate spray bar.

If using a drilled cam, AND a spray bar, fit the higher volume oil pump, and drill out the blck to head oil gallery reducing nozzle plug thingy.

[Retro Z]

Clive said the cams are already on the shelf and that i just provide my core 'cam' as a trade in/swap over or pay an extra amount which i think was $40

[gav240z]

Sorry to drag this slightly off topic, but if you look here:

http://www.viczcar.com/forum/index.php/topic,13624.msg148669.html#msg148669

 

You can see a number written on the camshaft.

 

22747

 

Is it likely this was a re-ground camshaft profile? If I get the vernier calipers out and measure the lobes will we be able to determine camshaft size and spec that way?

[luvemfast]

Vernier measurement, you can only measure lift.

"Zero" vernier while measuring base circle diameter.

Measure lobe.

Multiply value by 1.5, for rocker arm ratio.

That is lift.