Do these performance cams make me look fat?

[thechadzone]

So I finally got my cams in the mail the other day and I'm tempted to install them, but I'm wondering if I'd need more compression to be able to take advantage of them.

They're Abarth Group A Rally cams from a Fiat Ritmo Abarth rally car. The profile information is in Italian, but it's still pretty self evident:

Alzata Camma Asp: 11.4

Alzata Camma Sca: 11.4

Fasa Distributzione: 45 degree - 75 degree /72 degree- 42

Alzata PMS Asp/Sca: 4 / 3.8

Gioco di funz. Asp/sca: 40 / 50

I'd hate to go to the trouble of installing and timing them only to discover no measureable improvements... I have a stock 2.0 with 1.8 head upgrade and dual 40 IDFs. The distributor conflict is clear from looking at the cams, I'd likely have to go with a block mounted distributor if I go ahead and use them. I still need to see if the 2.0 block has such a provision. My experience with these engines is varied, and is largely based on what I've had to fix, rather than what I've been able to build up...

I've had one guy say that I'd need more compression for these cams, and another guy say that I should definitely use them.

Whatcha reckon?

[mdrburchette]

Your best bet is to ask Guy Croft at http://www.guy-croft.com/
He can give you recommendations to make sure your engine can accomodate those cams....or you can just listen to me! I say install them and see what happens. It's not all that hard to do. You may benefit from also installing adjustable cam pullies. It might take some looking to find a block mounted distributor.

[azygoustoyou]

Boy, I really need to learn about engines. I have a spare 2 liter engine. Is there a book I can read that would explain how and why for dummies? Doing performance upgrades.

[So Cal Mark]

that's a lot of lift. Before you stick them in and try to start it I'd check valve-to-piston clearance. My opinion is that is too much cam for your motor for street use. Adjustable pulleys would allow you to mitiagate the loss of low end, but that just proves you have too much cam for the application. If you have stock ports, valves and springs, you don't have a very well matched system to begin with.
Keep in mind that I prefer to under-cam engines rather than over-cam. Not everyone agrees with me in that regard. Denises' suggestion to get Crofts' viewpoint is a good one. I'll be interested to hear what he says

[racydave]

Brady, who needs books when you have the Ralph???