re: CAMS

[Nick Fonte <speedy@xxxxxxx>]

Chip Schug wrote:
>I am still trying to find the "right" cams or the right setup for that
>matter in my '79 2L Spider which I have rebuilt (over 2 years ago) with
>10.4 Borgo pistons, new racing valve springs, oversized valves in IN &
>EX, changed from SPICA to 40 DCOE Webers and all the other goodies used
>on a rebuild.  I went from the stock cam to the Columbo 11mm cam and am
>using the Marelli Plex ignition system.
>
>My Spider has a lot of "power", but I can not get the car over 100 mph
>without going over 5500 rpm in 5th gear.  


It seems that you have all the right stuff.  Now you probable just need to
fine tune it.  WRT the RPM/speed issue no matter how much power you have or
how big your engine is, the speed of the engine with respect to the tire
speed is the same.  That is what the gear box does.  For every rev of the
engine the wheels will rotate so much.  Now with a more powerful engine you
will get there faster and the accelerator pedal will not be down as far but
unless you change your gears you will never be below 5500rpm over 100mph.
With a bigger engine you have the potential to go to a taller gear because
you will that toque from the engine to move the car.  I have a Sport Sedan
that I restored and modified and I ran into the same problem.  I hated only
using 3rd and 4th around town and 5th was too short for the highway.  So
figuring I was close in power to a 2.5 Milano I put a Milano gear box in
the car.  Perfect.  I now use 2nd, and 3rd for around town and for the
highway I use 5th for cruising and sometimes 4th for passing.
Don't drive yourself crazy looking for an engine problem when it is a
gearing one.
 
Best Wishes,
Nick Fonte

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