Re: [alfa] Cam Choices

["Dean" <tessiedog@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Interesting.
We just don't see spica units in Australia.
Your right about trying to get any more than 160hp through the 40mm throttle
bodies. Well I know that wont happen with carburettors anyway.
I guess that limits your cam choice a little.
Its crazy that you can not replace the original pump with a more efficient
system. How would you go with smog laws if you tried to replace the original
engine with say a twinspark or motronic equipped 2lt?
The euro cams work well if you set the intake up so that the intake valve
close later. In fact if you nail the cam timing with these cams they will
produce really good top end and pull to 7000rpm. I would wonder if its worth
messing around with mild grinds other than this unless you go to 45mm
throttle bodies and choose a serious grind. But you right its fun.
45mm is the only way to go, and if the heads good, its the only way to make
a significant difference. Of course large bore equal length step headers are
always nice and a guy in Australia makes the best extractors will ever see
for a race tuned alfa.
Cheers,
Dean.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Stefano Iachella" <iachella@domain.elided>
To: "Dean" <tessiedog@domain.elided>
Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2004 1:56 AM
Subject: Re: [alfa] Cam Choices


> Dean,
>
> The Spica units are adjustable to a certain extent. Euro cams
> are not a problem. One can even go up to Wes' A16 cam with
> a stock pump. His has a lot of duration though. I want to see
> what I can do with slightly less duration and maybe more lift,
> without going too much.
>
> The modified pumps are good for over 200 hp, so there is no
> problem there and they are about $200 over a normal pump
> rebuild of $700 or so. I have a spare pump that is rebuilt
> already. Another $200 is not alot and an EFI will be alot.
>
> I live in CA, so an EFI will not pass
> smog even though it is more efficient. You just are not supposed
> to change the fuel delivery. In 2009 I can remove the pump
> and not worry about smog, but I'd like a little more fun until
> then. I just passed smog with a euro exhaust manifold with
> drilled air pump holes and euro cams. My smog guy said he'd
> do a check for me after mods without reporting to Sacramento
> so I can see what effects my changes have.
>
> My head is about a stage 3 porting. Dan Marvin tells me not
> to worry about oversized throttle bodies there. It's fine with
> that prep. If my aim were over 160hp I could get them widened,
> that is no problem. They have a 45mm bore to swap out, too.
>
> The Spica system is really pretty versatile now. It's true that
> in the past it wasn't because nobody understood them. Now
> we have Norman Racing, Wes Ingram, and Tom Sahanes who
> are Spica wizards and they regularly build Spica engines from
> 140 to 220 hp that are from street to full race.
>
> My goal is to find all the cams available and make some choices.
> To me that's part of the fun. Also to educate myself with the
> lobe ramps in case I get a bright idea for a different lobe.
>
> Stefano
> Oakland, CA
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dean" <tessiedog@domain.elided>
> To: "Stefano Iachella" <iachella@domain.elided>
> Sent: Sunday, January 18, 2004 11:34 AM
> Subject: Re: [alfa] Cam Choices
>
>
> > I know a little about camshafts and timing however all my info is with
> > regards to carburetted Alfas. I have no experience with the spica cars
> > however believe the injection pumps to be almost non-adjustable. I have
> seen
> > spica pumps with modified fuel delivery advertised on the net but for my
> > money I would buy an after market EFI computer, this could adapt to the
> > spica manifold. Then you could run any cam spec you want, within the
> > mechanical limitations and state of tune of the engine.
> > Just going from pre-pollution cams (105) from pollution cams(late116)
> > requires slight alteration in jetting so how are you going to calibrate
> the
> > spica pump for cams requiring different fuel demands. I may not
understand
> > just how adjustable is the spica unit?
> > Cheers,
> > Dean.
> > PS the other problem with the spica manifold is the your always going to
> be
> > stuck with 40mm throttle bodies.
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Stefano Iachella" <iachella@domain.elided>
> > To: "Alfa Digest" <alfa-digest@domain.elided>
> > Sent: Monday, January 19, 2004 5:27 AM
> > Subject: [alfa] Cam Choices
> >
> >
> > > Hey cats:
> > >
> > > I'd like to know all the cam choices people have that
> > > fall between the Euro cam: 10.1 mm lift/230 deg duration,
> > > and the popular 11 mm lift / 240 deg duration for the
> > > 2L Spica injected car.
> > >
> > > Some that I am aware of are:
> > >
> > > * Wes' A16 cam: 10.2 mm / 240 deg duration
> > > * Integral Stage 1: 10.26 mm / 236 duration
> > > * Sperry HP2: 10.6mm / 232 duration
> > > * Centerline and Shankle both show a 10.7mm / 240 duration
> > >          in some old catalogs.
> > >
> > > Are there any more to chose from?
> > >
> > > Also, are there any publications that talk in detail about
> > > ramp design? I ask the speed shops about custom grinds
> > > and everyone just says I shouldn't go there because the
> > > ramp design takes many hours and many $$ to perfect.
> > > They don't, however know any of the theory of it.
> > >
> > > I believe what they say about that, but I would like to
> > > read about it none-the-less. Are there books that someone
> > > knows about, or web resources I can go to?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > Stefano
> > > Oakland, CA
> > > --
> > > to be removed from alfa, see /bin/digest-subs.cgi
> > > or email "unsubscribe alfa" to majordomo@domain.elided
--
to be removed from alfa, see /bin/digest-subs.cgi
or email "unsubscribe alfa" to majordomo@domain.elided