V8 Camshaft

[V8Pete]

Hi, this is my first question on this forum so apologies if it's been covered previously (I couldn't find anything).

I have a bog standard 3.5 V8 in a 110 and suspect the camshaft is worn so I'm planning to replace it along with the tappets etc. I'd like a bit more power because I've put a Discovery transfer box in and I'm trying to decide which camshaft to put in. Is it better to stick with the standard one or upgrade to a fast road cam? Would the fast road cam mean I lose the flexibility and smoothness?

Alternatively, I've head that a 3.9 cam will fit and adds a bit of power/torque.

I'm not panning to do any other engine mods as I would prefer to keep it as standard as possible.

Thanks

[FridgeFreezer]

3.9 cam does add a bit, you really don't want a fast anything in a big heavy vehicle, you want low-down grunt.

[Ash.Witty]

Why not upgrade to a larger capacity v8 like a 3.9,4.0,4.2or 4.6. More power and torque which means it doesn't need to be pushed as hard to make the same power as from a smaller engine.

I converted my 110 from 300Tdi to a 4.2V8 as told anything under 3.9 is a little underpowered, my average mpg was 8-14.and went really well and was great off road on tick over also went even better with the turbo on but mpg went to 6-10 and i couldn't be bothered anymore.

I also ran a 4.6 P38 last summer on petrol and I averaged 22 mpg on a 120 mile run, which was more than a mates 3.5 v8 110 on lpg which averaged the 19mpg on the same run.

[FridgeFreezer]

Even a 3.5 in good health should be OK for a 110, although the larger blocks will add useful torque. I ran a 3.9 in the 109 and it was more than nippy enough. EFI makes a big difference to perkiness and MPG. Old carbed 3.5's in Defenders were de-tuned quite a lot.

[Team Idris]

I wouldn't stick with the OE cam and I wouldn't go with a fast road cam, as you might miss the torque? But having said that, I doubt a wild cam will have less low down torque than a really worn OE cam

I fitted a Piper "Torque Max" as I wanted a decent cam without needing modification. My 3.5 RV8 is automatic with SU carbs and single branch manifold, as I was never aiming for it to rev, due to a hydraulic pump on the front.

[V8Pete]

Thanks for the input. The engine is low mileage (92K) and in good condition other than the camshaft so I'll probably keep it simple and either go with a 3.9 camshaft or the Piper Torque Max. Larger engine or EFi would be good but extra work and cost.

[101sean]

When I rebuilt my 101's engine I went for a standard 3.9 cam following advice on the V8 Forum. Got all my bits from http://www.v8tuner.co.uk/