OK.
So I've finally got my xr3i mfi running sweet (well starting first turn of the key and not cutting out anyway!)
And now I'm turning my attention to fixing anything in the engine bay and a generally tidy up. I have notice now that it had got the trademark cvh nocking tappet sound so I will be changing them and also the camshaft while I'm at it.

My question is.....
Is it worth changing the camshaft for a performance one such as a piper or Kent cams fast road cam?
I was planning on just changing everything for standard original parts just to give the engine a new lease of life but now looking at the uprated performance parts there is only roughly a possible £200 difference.

But is it worth it power wise?
And also what is putting me off is the reviews from people on some fast road cams who have said they have not lasted and needed changing after just the first 1k miles!!

 

It depends on how you will use the car, if you're not going to be using the top end a lot it might not be worth it just to give a higher peak number. If you're going to give it some fairly often then it will improve that side of things.

I don't know the specifics of the car but in general you'll lose some torque at the low end and gain power higher up and a higher peak power and rpm limit.

Also, some manufacturers recommended you uprate the springs as well, (I think) Piper do... but Newman say don't if it's not necessary.

 

In my experience with Carb'd CVH engines a performance camshaft will only really noticibly improve performance if used in conjunction with other mods (bike carbs/twin 40s, ported & polished head, bigger valves, 4 branch manifold, performance exhaust system, overbore etc). The benefits will obviously be less when installed in a stock engine. Lumpy idle is another side effect. Im not familiar with injected engines but they may benefit from a remap after installing the cam to get the best.

 

Well it's not going to be a track use car or anything in the like and also loosing the lower end rpm torque is another thing I was worried about as it is quite a nippy little motor in first second and third.
I am happy with the car as it is (obviously it needs restoring in places regarding the engine) and I have done a few mods such as full exhaust system and performance filter with adapted box but there are no downsides to those type of mods like there can be to camshafts change.

Aaahhhrrr I'm still in 2 minds! Haha