[Trouble]

heyo.
i'm after some higher lift camshafts for my 1.4 16v k series. so basically are the 1.8 camsafts any bigger/better

[E_T_V]

I don't think you can get any higher lift as the valve will hit the pistons, however cams with more overlap are available, piper do some I believe, although the extreme ones will need solid lifters instead of hydraulic ones.

[Trouble]

i don't think valves hitting the pistons should be a problem as long as timings right. so what are/do cams with more overlap as i'm afaid im stupid . is it possible to fit vvc cams to a 1.4 - are they centrifugally operated??
is there another method of spurring a few more stallions out the legend? it is running rich, and is noticably more powerful in the cold dense air - so definately thinking t more air would be appreciated.
thanks

[E_T_V]

i don't think valves hitting the pistons should be a problem as long as timings right. so what are/do cams with more overlap as i'm afaid im stupid . is it possible to fit vvc cams to a 1.4 - are they centrifugally operated??
is there another method of spurring a few more stallions out the legend? it is running rich, and is noticably more powerful in the cold dense air - so definately thinking t more air would be appreciated.
thanks

I think the standard pistons have cutouts in them already so that the valves don't hit the pistons but I may be wrong.

It all depends on what rev ranges the engine operates in when racing as to what cam profile you might want. If you have a look at the piper catalogue you might get some ideas. I thin the site might have an explanation on them too.

http://www.pipercams.co.uk/NewPiperWeb/ ... rames.html


Essentially the inlet and exhaust valves are open at the same time (called overlap), and this means that the air can get into the cylinders easier. The longer the overlap the more air and fuel you can get it, however the more you get down the exhaust too - which is why it isn't good for emissions!. It also means that the lower rev power is reduced, so you can't have your cake and eat it.

This is why variable valve timing gives good low rev and good high rev performance and why v-tec is popular although a far less sophisticated and refined option.

Fitting VVC cams is an option but it isn't easy and I wouldn't consider it. Indeed many people swap out the VVC cams for performance solid ones to give more power. Do you have a low or a high port cylinder head? If it is a low port one then a high port one would give better performance and you could also port it to increase airflow too.

To be honest the biggest performance improvment per £ would be to increase the engine size but I appreciate this may not be possible to run in a certain competition class.