Nice, Nice.  Can I borrow your engine for a few weeks?  Actually, next run we do I'm going to swap cars with you and we can compare notes... J

Alex I think you advised me to get the SW5 or 15, and I seem to remember the 103 specs out similarly to the SW15.  

Yup.  lots of exhaust and probably not much overlap.

The MG Metro borrowed the 997 inlet and the 731 exhaust to give 252/268 and it is a damn good cam - reputedly something that Downton used to use.
I know I've used them in 998s and 1100s to very good effect.

I just compared it to my 997 cam; if I'm not mistaken, it looks like the 103 breathes pretty good on the exhaust..

Interesting.  Seems on paper to be a halfway house between a Kent 266 and 276.

Found some info:

//www.minimania.com/part/CAM103M/Second-Generation-Mini-Mania-Performance-Camshaft-Slot-Drive

What are the specs on the Mania 103 ?

Wouldn't you know it, Todd, just about the time you get your Mini running good again, mine is acting up, making strange noises and has blown a outer CV joint boot off! I have to get another project car (slammed 65 Bug) out of my garage so I can put the Mini up on blocks to get under it and see what's going on. Hopefully soon we'll be able to get together and do some runs in the Santa Cruz mountains!

Thanks you guys for all the kind words.  No, his work is not more expensive but like Mania's engines every single possible detail has been thought through.  The result is a daily driver that blasts through traffic like a vtec yet is still light weight. 

It's so fast I'm now concerned that the nearly new S brakes are fading and am thinking about 2 or 3-pot calipers.   Yes I feel like making a commercial, the thing is so great to drive.

You have the advantage of a high-end custom engine builder that can ship anywhere and of course get any part with Mania's connections and discounts.

And how do you like that extremely rare aluminum block!!!   After Todd POLISHED his aluminum head, I found some engine paint that came close to the polished aluminum look, and it turned out very nice.   I have become a fan of light-colored engines, as it makes it much easier to notice leaks and other issues at a quick glance!

Looks VERY tasty!

If you ever want to get rid of those 1.3 rockers, let me know! I might be looking for a set soon

Really nice and I like the idea that it runs well on the street but....I'm pretty sure it cost nearly as much as my car.

Todd!

Man! That engine is gorgeous! Plus excellent performance! Good job! Jemal, he's da mon!                Mini Estate

You are quite right Larry.  I may have to wait till next year....

Put it on a dyno so we can see actual data .. not just anecdote results.

Glad you are still enjoying it!  I had not heard from you in a while, and was hoping no news was good news!  Great shot of my little assistant with the engine on my test table in my garage at home.  The little guy is REALLY getting around now!

This engine turned out fantastic because nothing was overdone.  It's a little bit of "less-is-more" in that I kept the displacement just under 1380 with the pre A+ block, and selected the Russel Pistons (73mm, so .020 inch smaller than 1380) that give a slightly lower compression ratio.  This makes is "safer" from hurting itself, and lets you really ring it's neck and get the most enjoyment out of it!

The cam is the same one that we use in the majority of our engines.  It's relatively short overlap (when both valves in a cylinder are open at the same time) means that even with a lower "mechanical" compression ratio, the EFECTIVE compression pressure is a little bit higher, and with the big valve aluminum head and standard 1.3 rockers, we're making tremendous TORQUE for the 3.1 final drive.  On the STREET, this engine produces better performance than one that might make significantly more horsepower.

Many people go the wrong way in this regard. I have a customer trying to figure out why a very highly spec'd engine is producing lackluster results.... he has a 7 port alloy head along with the Specialist Components port injection package.  In discussions, I found out the bottom end is stock A+ Metro, about 8.5 to 1, and a racer friend gave him a "full race" cam to use.  A giant mistake!  Race cams MUST have very high compression because the huge overlap results in pushing much mixture back out the still open intake valves.  A 14 to one mechanical compression ratio yields about a 9 to 1 EFFECTIVE compression pressure, so an 8.5 engine will be a complete dog with a "race cam"!  The Elgin 103 is designed for the most challenging environment of all.... the street!!

The whole thing is a torque setup but unfortunately have not dyno'd.  It flattens out at 5000 and I'm driving at around 3200 and laying waste to all other traffic.  Better than a 286 below 5000.  Jemal has (I believe) a 296 but prefers the 103:

-Mania CAM 103 Ultra Performance

- 60KV Flamethrower coil; appears to burn cleaner, not as smelly, plugs are browner

- Pierce big valve aluminum head, ported to stage 2, ARPs

- 1.3 rockers, may put the Dodds 1.5s back on but Calver's 1.4's are getting quite popular, he claims there's no advantage to the additional valve opening and it just stresses the valvetrain.

- New Maniflow LCB after the previous one broke at the Y weld after less than a year

- Can't decide if I should just stick with the old reliable HI44...

Wow, that looks stunning!  There's nothing like a clean engine... 

Would really like to hear more about this '103' cam -

I love it!

Image Gallery

Wanted to share this freaking locomotive of a 1362 Jemal and Mania built for me with very generous assistance from Don on the upgrades.  Have MM build your engines, guys.  They are nothing but helpful and accomodating.

It's my DD and the last few shakedown mos have given the results.  Basically it should say "Santa Fe Railroad" on the grill because it would pull boxcars.  Yesterday did 250 mi on the twisties and had an M3 pull over so I could get past.  Stayed with a Ducati until he gave up and waved me by too.  I beat the absolute piss out of this thing almost every day and it just keeps pulling.  Shifts very fast too, and haven't had to do a single clutch adjustment.

It does everything right - runs cool and smooth and the wifey noticed the big torque difference with the Mania 103 cam.  Have a 1:3 rocker on now, the CR is intentionally low but can't remember the number.

Idles dead-smooth at 1100 like it had an ECU.  Jemal should weigh in on the specs but we had fun building it with his new very small assistant.  The only issue is I should have remembered new stem seals.  The Pierce head had an initial small porting from Jemal a year ago and I opened it up the small radiuses and port-matched.  I was bummed the dyno couldn't make it to this year's Nevada City adventure.

If Jemal sees this hopefully he can describe what he did...