Which camshaft for Pinto

[romeks44]

Just a week after my return from the Rome trip the head gasket gave up. (Thank you Berly for not letting me down on the way). As converting the head to non-leaded includes some risk of destroying it.. I have just installed a new gasket without any modifications. I didn't want to end up with open engine in the middle of the summer season.
Anyway I'm determined to drive unleaded without the need for additives. I bought a used engine yesterday - OHC Efi Pinto (205 block). My idea is to rebuild it and have it as an easy replacement once the currently installed engine fails. The EFI head should be already "unleaded" and still carburettor compatible.
The question is what would be the best camshaft (for me).
I'm looking for torque increase. More power is also welcome but definitely not at 7-8 rpm.
Weber DGAV 32/36 stays in the car.

At ebay there is "BHP30" that sounds interesting for me 122345498801 but is not as renowned as Burton or Kent.
What would be your recommendation for rebuilding the engine for more fun (Everyday 97% vs Track day 3% driving) - please sort in FIPP (Fun Increase per Pound) order. Just the camshaft or more?
Or just stay on standard?
Best regards
Roman
BTW It was a nice drive yesterday.

[stevejgreen]

Re: Which camshaft for Pinto

My opinion, stick wth Burton, they have a reputation better than eBay!

[romeks44]

Re: Which camshaft for Pinto

My opinion, stick wth Burton, they have a reputation better than eBay!

Thank you Steve.
But which one would you recommend? Mild road? Fast road?
Regards
Roman

[greyV8pete]

Re: Which camshaft for Pinto

Hi Roman. Some years ago I had a 2.0GL Ford Sierra with a Pinto engine which I had converted to unleaded (hardened exhaust valve seats) with no problem. However the fuel injection head is different to the carb version as the inlet ducts are “tear drop” shaped to accommodate the fuel injectors and so will not match the carb inlet manifold. Hope this helps. Peter.

[burgoyne 69]

Re: Which camshaft for Pinto

hi, A friend of mine ran an fr30, this should give you lots of low down torque with better power and better fuel economy, over the standard cam ,but it is no miracle worker especially on its own, I am running an fr21 ,which is now obsolete with a professionally ported head . standard valves ,with a higher compression ratio , Kawasaki zzr600 bike carbs 4 2 1 exhaust with a 2" exhaust system and re-curved non vac distributor.
The engine runs pretty much as as standard but smoother ,economy is pretty much standard. come 2000 rpm their is a slight improvement and at 3000 revs their is a large improvement which builds and builds making just over 140 bhp at the wheels at 6500 rpm. And probably more if revved to destruction. This engine was slowly improved in stages, and i didn't think it would turn out as it did, but well pleased.
The engine has less power below 1000rpm but who drive like that apart from crawling in a traffic jam but this still does not cause me a problem.
It is wise to go for a cam that is not too wild as you will make it poor at low rpm with little improvement at high revs unless the other mods facilitate it,
good luck and choose wisely. The person who built my head said he preferred piper cross cams but not the ultimate road cam as it is a little too much, and he thought pipercross make harder wearing cams
I have been told that the efi makes slightly more power not due to the fuel injection but because the head is a slightly better design.
I am no expert but I am sure I have asked the question and a weber carb with a pear shaped efi head is fine,

[danny_nelson]

Re: Which camshaft for Pinto

Dane is running an EFI Pinto in his Berly, I am sure when he sees this thread he will be along to tell you what cam he is using (and he does not hang about )

[romeks44]

Re: Which camshaft for Pinto

Thank you All for the information

Peter: Regarding the hardened seats for unleaded conversion our local (Poland) workshops are afraid of ginding into water channels while making space for the seats.
The carb inlet manifold is quite thick so I hope to match it to the head by porting it myself.

Burgoyone 69: fr30 is the Kent version of "noname" BPH30 (or vice versa). From searching on the net I would think about it or fr31. With the 32 I would be afraid it will not too much benefit without other modifications...

Danny: Waiting for Dane comment. I assume his EFI is not injection any more.

There is no hurry. I'm still driving my Berlinetta and the "new" engine was just fixed to a stand for disassembling.

Regards
Roman

[Alan c]

Re: Which camshaft for Pinto

One you make any changes get the car on a rolling road. I did it was like night and day afterwards, if the outfit who does it is any good.

[romeks44]

Re: Which camshaft for Pinto

Good point Alan. Will do. Not only for tuning but for calculating BHP per Pound (spent).

[romeks44]

Re: Which camshaft for Pinto

Hello again,

The engine has been striped and I'm busy porting the cylinder head. At the same time I'm looking for the best way to source the parts needed for rebuild.
I have almost placed an order at peterlloydrallying.co.uk but after some research it looks its closed.
As for now I have decided for the Kent FR30 kit, new mahle +0.5 pistons (high compression) and all new bearings (std for cam, +0.25 bottom).
The cortina cast iron exhaust manifold I use today may be limiting with the new EFI head so I'm looking for a 4-2-1. Made to measure in stainless steel will cost about 400 GBP in Poland.
I have seen sportex 4-2-1 in mild steel for 110-120 GBP in UK. Are these any good? Does anybody knows the difference (preference for Marlin) between Escort MK1/2 and Capri manifolds?
Kind regards
Roman

[danny_nelson]

Re: Which camshaft for Pinto

Escort or Capri 4 branch manifolds will still require cut and mod to suit the Marlin bulkhead.

[Alan c]

Re: Which camshaft for Pinto

And cutting to get exit angle right where it joins exhaust - mine was point downwards 10degrees

[romeks44]

Re: Which camshaft for Pinto

Thank you Danny, Thank you Alan

As it is not a plug and play job and the shipment is not for free I forecast it to reach 50% or more of the local stainless price...
So I will probably change the engine first and upgrade the exhaust later here. Hopefully I will manage to measure the performance before and after to see how much improvement it makes.

BTW Found on ebay - 223207914454 turbosports camshaft - has anyone experience with their cams?

Regards
Roman

[burgoyne 69]

Re: Which camshaft for Pinto

And cutting to get exit angle right where it joins exhaust - mine was point downwards 10degrees

I spent ages researching this ,sierra manifold fits with too much work to get the down pipes to not foul and every thing else fouls the bulk head or steering column.
I bought one which was a popular design that had been converted to almost 4into1 with a large pipe around 3" then 2" 90dgree bend .
It works really well I will post you a photo when find it

[burgoyne 69]

Re: Which camshaft for Pinto

Hi , seem to have lost the photos of the manifold off the car but have just taken some on the car, please excuse the heat wrap that has half unwrapped,100_1858.JPG100_1859.JPG100_1860.JPG100_1861.JPG100_1862.JPG100_1863.JPG100_1864.JPG100_1865.JPG100_1865.JPG100_1868.JPG100_1869.JPG