2300 cam into 1800

[cooperman]

does anyone know if a camshaft from a 2300 will fit an 1800 head and if so is there any advantage? i understand a 2300 head wont fit the 1800 block. its a fast road cam, so if it did fit i presume i would have to fit bigger valves to get the benefit. any comments would be appreciated. thanks marcus

[droopsnoot]

Just based on reading the parts manual and no direct personal experience:

Later chassis numbers list the same part number for cylinder head for J, H and N codes - which is 1800 low compression, 1800 standard compression and 2300 single carburettor.

Later chassis numbers list the same part number for camshaft for J, H, N and P - which is as above plus 2300 twin carb (but not HPF).

With regard to the 2300 head not fitting on the 1800 engine, the Sportpart manual says of its modified cylinder heads: "All modified heads are for 2279cc engines only. These heads could be fitted to a 1759cc engine although some modification would be required to prevent the valves from hitting the top of the block."

Can't say whether that only applies to heads with larger valves than standard, or whether the standard ones would have the same problem. Can you tell by putting an 1800 head gasket on the 2300 head to see where it overlaps?

[cooperman]

thanks for that info, i don't have a 2-3 head to try, but reading from the forum it seemed that the different head and block wouldn't fit together. it sounds like its easier to drop a 2-3 engine in and swap the cam, not as technically challenging but it will work

[droopsnoot]

I'd certainly agree if you can get the complete thing that would be a better swap. I guess it depends on what the car is for, and whether there's anything wrong with the 1800. There's certainly more information out there on the 2300 with regard to tuning and so on.

[cooperman]

theres nothing wrong with the 1800, i just wanted to make it a bit more interesting. its only done about 70k and came to me in boxes, just thought as i was putting it back together a fast cam might be nice, but i havent seen one for an 1800. thanks for taking the time to reply, ithink i will just bolt it all back together, cheers marcus

[MattyE]

as above the same standard camshaft is listed for used on the 1800 and the 2300, so you could fit a spicier cam as designed for the 2300.. they do turn up from time to time (good place to ask is on the Droop Snoot Group)

iirc the modified cams have a smaller base circle in order to achieve the higher lift, which may nececitate longer valve stems as its probably out of the range of adjustment of the tappets

no reason why usual old school tuning wouldnt help, get the head ported/polished, get the internals lightened and balanced, add a better carb and a free flowing exhaust... you've just got to ask yourself wether its worth spending money tuning an 1800, yes you would end up with a unique motor (i dont know of any other warmed-up 1800s) but ultimatley it wouldnt reach the power of a similar 2300..

[cooperman]

thanks for that, i might just have a play and see how it goes