Cams & Injectors - The same old question

[SharpyClio]

Im looking to eek a bit more power out of the old girl, im looking at cams and was thinking of the quite aggressive catcams (5502423), uprated valve springs and 197 injectors.

Does that seem reasonable as a setup? I know NA gains are never massive but it seems like that will give me the extra I would like at the moment.

Cheers

 

[TheCAB]

423s won't work with standard pistons, as the cutouts in the pistons are not large enough, so valves will hit them.

 

[SharpyClio]

423s won't work with standard pistons, as the cutouts in the pistons are not large enough, so valves will hit them.

Moved away from that idea, for that reason and the need to change the springs. So probably go for less aggressive (428s?) and 197 injectors.

 

[SharpyClio]

423s won't work with standard pistons, as the cutouts in the pistons are not large enough, so valves will hit them.

Should have said thanks! Appreciate the reply.

 

[Ph1 Tom]

421 are the most aggressive cams that will work without having to change anything else.

Have you got any other supporting mods like ITBs, PMS exhaust manifold?

 

[Mr Underhill]

Is it just for track?

Why not just get Group N timing, and have Chris at EFi remap it? It’ll transform how the car performs without breaking the bank.

Fundamentals first: suspension, geo, tyres, brakes, then do the above. I've seen too many Clios around circuits with different cam setups and iTBs on standard engines just to gain a few more ponies, without addressing the basics. This is all too common.

To get proper power out of these engines, you've got to spend big bucks, and unless you're competing, I don't even think it's worth it.

I understand it’s a bit frustrating getting stuck behind cars on circuit because you just don’t have those extra ponies, but there’s a lot to be said about having your foot through the floor 90% of the time. Too much power on these cars isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. Ask me how I know.

 

[SharpyClio]

421 are the most aggressive cams that will work without having to change anything else.

Have you got any other supporting mods like ITBs, PMS exhaust manifold?

Got a Tessa inlet to go on and looking at the PMS headers as well so hoping that makes a reasonable setup, half looking at ITBs as well but the Tessa was a good price.

Is it just for track?

Why not just get Group N timing, and have Chris at EFi remap it? It’ll transform how the car performs without breaking the bank.

Fundamentals first: suspension, geo, tyres, brakes, then do the above. I've seen too many Clios around circuits with different cam setups and iTBs on standard engines just to gain a few more ponies, without addressing the basics. This is all too common.

To get proper power out of these engines, you've got to spend big bucks, and unless you're competing, I don't even think it's worth it.

I understand it’s a bit frustrating getting stuck behind cars on circuit because you just don’t have those extra ponies, but there’s a lot to be said about having your foot through the floor 90% of the time. Too much power on these cars isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. Ask me how I know.

Don’t find it too frustrating but extra ponies are extra ponies. The geo setup I have now I’m pretty happy with, new tyres are going to be bought as well so then I’ll have geo wise as I want it. Happy to spend a few quid, new gearbox will be sorted as well. Just planning for 2025 tbh and enjoy working on the car.

 

[kurai]

On my mk2 I have 421 cams, gen90 and ITB's full 63.5 exhaust and headers and OEM injectors work flawlessy.

 

[leeds_182]

I mean, I’m an old c**t now but don’t do it. It’s a waste of money. I’ve been there and it was just disappointing. I spent best part of £3k for 12bhp and the reality was I could hardly tell the difference.

In a volvo 940 I spent £12 on a manual boost controller and gain 40bhp.

If you want more power buy a car that’s already done as someone else has already taken the pain.

 

[SharpyClio]

I mean, I’m an old c**t now but don’t do it. It’s a waste of money. I’ve been there and it was just disappointing. I spent best part of £3k for 12bhp and the reality was I could hardly tell the difference.

In a volvo 940 I spent £12 on a manual boost controller and gain 40bhp.

If you want more power buy a car that’s already done as someone else has already taken the pain.

I do get this but I enjoy the process, its not a case of me buying the stuff and getting someone else to fit it I will do 90% of it myself. That said it appears I may have sourced and engine with the mods already on from someone here so I can swap that in and have a spare engine.

 

[Mr Underhill]

I mean, I’m an old c**t now but don’t do it. It’s a waste of money. I’ve been there and it was just disappointing. I spent best part of £3k for 12bhp and the reality was I could hardly tell the difference.

In a volvo 940 I spent £12 on a manual boost controller and gain 40bhp.

If you want more power buy a car that’s already done as someone else has already taken the pain.

Yep and with that extra power comes the expense of extra cooling and other upgrades. As you say, not worth it on these engines.

 

[Greeny.]

I had some catcam 421’s installed when I had my cambelt done years ago, unfortunately this was before the GroupN timing was a hugely popular and known thing and only seemed to be used by a mainly closed group of people holding the ‘secret’ to it.. so if it was more public I would have had that done instead. Engine dynamics fitted 197 injectors to my engine as the stock ones were at 95% duty and being a track car where it lives the majority of its life at full throttle around Snetterton they thought it best to upgrade them for safety’s sake.

Performance wise it’s fine (193bhp/164 ft/lb) not night and day obviously but the biggest change I saw was the amount of fuel it now consumes. For info the other supporting engine mods are: matched inlets, ktr induction hose, k&n filter, air con delete, derestricted 182 factory cat and a janspeed super sport cat-back.