3.5lt cam choice-any recommendations

Hello All
Just wanted to get your opinions on what cam shaft i should get
for my 1987 V8 county 3.5 Lt with webber 500cfm carb.
Its done around 98k and i guess its about due a camshaft change.
I just wondered if i should stick with the original spec camshaft or
should i fit a slighty uprated version.I dont want to make it so radical
it ticks over like a old nail !!. your comments much appreciated !!!

cheapest way is to fit one for a 3.9 or 4.2 engine. Not much of a gain but easy and cheap. Lots of other cams about its all about what you want from the engine?

Was going to say 3.9 spec.

AFAIK the only standard 3.5 cam available now is the latest and greatest, ie all the older 3.5 cams have gone out of production so there's only the one aftermarket spec available.

I'm pretty sure this is the case for 3.5 spec, the 3.9 is the same cam but with extra 2 degrees advance, so maybe the only aftermarket standard cam is the 3.9 spec, not sure on that.

This is according to Real Steel btw, and on the invoice it simply says "standard rover v8 camshaft"

but yeah the simplest option is to fit top spec standard 3.5 or 3.9 cos it's very easy and very cheap.

all of what i have said will be confirmed or not if you speak to a supplier!!

v8hotrodboy said:

cheapest way is to fit one for a 3.9 or 4.2 engine. Not much of a gain but easy and cheap. Lots of other cams about its all about what you want from the engine?

Click to expand...

except a 3.9 cam (not the same as 4.2) is the same as a 3.5 cam but timing is 2 degree off.

Thanks for the info lads, I will go have a look at the real steel website,and
ebay and see what i can get.
Also i guess its advisable to change the followers at the same time and also the chain and sprocket?

sid90 said:

Thanks for the info lads, I will go have a look at the real steel website,and
ebay and see what i can get.
Also i guess its advisable to change the followers at the same time and also the chain and sprocket?

Click to expand...

yea, chain/gears will be worn if they have not been replaced recently, i will be going for the std for my 3.5, the after market improvements all move the power band up the rev's which isnt the best for 4x4's

real steel are the cheapest ive seen for std

Cheers lads for the info !!!

if it started life as a carb V8 then the cam is different to that of the EFi - the carb cam is pretty decent to start with.


you might want to consider the real steel Viper Hurricane cam over the standard rover 3.9 item particularly as you are using a 500 on a 3.5.