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[T Rex]

Hi everyone! I saw a short post on here about a set of OBX cams for a Miata stage 1 that will work in the Capri. I'm looking for a little more power without getting too involved in ECU and injectors and such. Is this a good thing? Anyone currently running this set-up? I figure I would buy the cams, a set of lifters, a timing belt component set and be good to go, but wanted a little more info. Thanks!!

[Rocketman]

That's gonna be a lot of work!

Do you have any intake or exhaust work done already?
A nice cold air intake and a header + full exhaust will get you some power.

The cams won't do much unless you have this work done already.
How aggressive are the cams that you would need new lifters?

[T Rex]

I have a header and full exhaust with high flow catalytic, and a cold air intake. Would I need to shim under the lifters to get the proper valve clearance? That is a pain, I did that once on a motorcycle. I had the machine shop deal with it on my Protege engine rebuild. Would I need the adjustable cam gear too? I'm looking at the stage 1 cam. As far as the new lifters, I figured while I was there I should replace. I don't need to?

[Rocketman]

You'll have to ask the mfg'r and ask what they recommend. It's been so long since I messed with any aftermarket camshaft stuff I don't really remember specifics, I'm starting to get out of the loop a bit.

The stock lifters are HLA's, which are hydraulic, and do not need shimming. Aggressive cams that have high lift and stronger valvesprings sometimes require a conversion to mechanical lifters, which do need shims. The parts do exist to do this to a Capri, but it's always been prohibitively expensive (as well as requiring additional, invasive maintenance from time to time to re-shim).
I would imagine a stage 1 cam will change the duration/overlap but probably not lift, so the stock HLA's should be okay. Brand new HLA are available but pricey, couldn't hurt to replace them I suppose, our cars are getting up there in age at this point. The FSM has a procedure for checking them, maybe try that before replacing.

Cam gears can help but they usually need a fair bit of legit dyno tuning to get them dialed in perfectly. They can help move the powerband a bit and can grab a few extra ponies. I would suggest more research on this though, rather than going on my word lol

[T Rex]

Thanks Rocketman. I forgot these had hydralic lifters which makes the job easier. I saw a set on ebay for $117 so I figured I would toss them in while I'm in there (The old car chant, "while I'm in there"). I will do some more research before I proceed. It will be simple once I convince the wife that the "stock cams are shot" at 78,000 miles. Haha! I've spent about $2,000 on the classic mini in the last couple months, so I may need to also buy a purse and some shoes. (For the wife, not me).