1750 RPM limit and tuning advice

[tomcotez]

Can someone tell me how many RPM's it is safe to do in a standard 1750 before things start to break? Taking into account issues such as fatiguing of components over the years since it was built, etc...
How strong are standard 1750 con rods?
Given this, what (if any) would be a good performance upgrade to get a bit more power without work to the bottom end? I like the idea of some C&B cams, but if they only start to make a difference at huge RPM's then there's probably not much point.
I've heard of putting standard 2000 cams in - is this worthwhile?

Cheers

[clemensh83]

The best original Alfa cams are the 10548... cams, which were standard in early 1750 and 2000 (in europe). If your car has 10520... cams inside, you could look for the 10548... cams or pay the (higher) price for something like C&B cams.

If you put hairy cams in your engine, it would be good to increase the CR (milling the head). With those mods you could put larger chokes in your carbs (original 32mm, maybe 34mm) and rejet them (in any case).

Regards Clemens

[tomcotez]

Thanks,

My car is a '70 British car, so I imagine that it could have the cams you refer to.
I would only want to modify it if I could get top end power that was usable at RPM's my engine can cope with, and without harming the mid range torque/power. Is this an impossible dream?...

[Damo105]

If you want a bit more power without touching the block, as well as a warmer cam maybe look at the fuel/air system, ie., bigger carbs, better air flow, and tuned headers/exhaust.