Kelford camshafts, Toyota 4A-GE 16V, HV conversion
Kelford is a New Zealand camshaft manufacturer with roots in Christchurch dating back to 1968. Its profiles range from upgrades for street-driven cars to fully built race engines. Choose the cam around the rest of the engine and its intended use, rather than simply picking the longest duration.
This selection is for the Toyota 4A-GE 16V, HV conversion engine. Profile differences, spring recommendations and required modifications are detailed below.
Technical specifications – available profiles for this engine
Profile 193HV-A
High-lift rally profile for a 4A-GE race engine with larger valves, increased compression and suitable intake and exhaust parts. Focused on mid-range and top-end pull. The HV lobe's larger area requires shimless buckets or a shim-under-bucket conversion. The original arrangement is insufficient. Recommended springs: KVS101-BT.
| Specification | Intake | Exhaust |
|---|---|---|
| Valve clearance | 0.25mm cold at the cam | 0.30mm cold at the cam |
| Cam lift | 10.55mm | 10.40mm |
| Rocker ratio | 1 | 1 |
| Net valve lift | 10.30mm | 10.10mm |
| Advertised duration @ 0.30mm | 290° | 282° |
| Duration @ 1.00mm valve lift | 248° | 240° |
| Timing IVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | 25 BTDC | – |
| Timing IVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | 43 ABDC | – |
| Timing EVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 45 BBDC |
| Timing EVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 15 ATDC |
| Suggested centre lines | 99° | 105° |
| Valve lift at TDC | 3.60mm | 2.53 mm |
Manufacturer profile information
Profile 193HV-B
High-lift profile for an extensively built naturally aspirated 4A-GE 16V race engine, working to approximately 9500 rpm depending on the build. Requires shimless buckets or a shim-under-bucket conversion, as the original shim size is insufficient. Recommended springs: KVS101-BT.
| Specification | Intake | Exhaust |
|---|---|---|
| Valve clearance | 0.25mm cold at the cam | 0.30mm cold at the cam |
| Cam lift | 10.75mm | 10.55mm |
| Rocker ratio | 1 | 1 |
| Net valve lift | 10.50mm | 10.25mm |
| Advertised duration @ 0.30mm | 300° | 294° |
| Duration @ 1.00mm valve lift | 258° | 248° |
| Timing IVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | 30 BTDC | – |
| Timing IVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | 48 ABDC | – |
| Timing EVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 47 BBDC |
| Timing EVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 21 ATDC |
| Suggested centre lines | 99° | 103° |
| Valve lift at TDC | 4.22mm | 3.32 mm |
Manufacturer profile information
Profile 193HV-C
High-lift profile for a fully built 4A-GE 16V race engine, single-seater or drag car. More top-end pull than 193HV-B, reaching around 10500 rpm depending on the build. The fast valve motion requires shimless buckets or a shim-under-bucket conversion. Recommended springs: KVS101-BT.
| Specification | Intake | Exhaust |
|---|---|---|
| Valve clearance | 0.25mm cold at the cam | 0.30mm cold at the cam |
| Cam lift | 11.25mm | 10.40mm |
| Rocker ratio | 1 | 1 |
| Net valve lift | 11.00mm | 10.10mm |
| Advertised duration @ 0.30mm | 318° | 304° |
| Duration @ 1.00mm valve lift | 272° | 262° |
| Timing IVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | 38 BTDC | – |
| Timing IVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | 54 ABDC | – |
| Timing EVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 54 BBDC |
| Timing EVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 28 ATDC |
| Suggested centre lines | 98° | 103° |
| Valve lift at TDC | 5.08mm | 3.68 mm |
Manufacturer profile information
Profile 193HV-T
High-lift profile for a turbocharged 4A-GE 16V drag engine with a 48–58 mm turbo. Suits high rpm and E85. The fast valve motion requires shimless buckets or a shim-under-bucket conversion. Recommended springs: KVS101-BT.
| Specification | Intake | Exhaust |
|---|---|---|
| Valve clearance | 0.25mm cold at the cam | 0.30mm cold at the cam |
| Cam lift | 10.40mm | 10.30mm |
| Rocker ratio | 1 | 1 |
| Net valve lift | 10.15mm | 10.00mm |
| Advertised duration @ 0.30mm | 272° | 280° |
| Duration @ 1.00mm valve lift | 232° | 240° |
| Timing IVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | 8 BTDC | – |
| Timing IVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | 44 ABDC | – |
| Timing EVO @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 58 BBDC |
| Timing EVC @ 1.00mm valve lift | – | 2 ATDC |
| Suggested centre lines | 108° | 118° |
| Valve lift at TDC | 1.86mm | 1.16 mm |
Manufacturer profile information
Checking heights are shown with the duration figures. Net lift is the net valve movement specified by the manufacturer, while cam lift is listed separately. IVO/IVC denote intake valve opening/closing and EVO/EVC exhaust valve opening/closing. BTDC/ATDC mean before/after top dead centre, and BBDC/ABDC before/after bottom dead centre.
Installation and profile selection
Confirm the exact engine version, valvetrain design and the modifications required by the profile. Check cam timing and valve-to-piston clearance during installation. Springs, lifters and other supporting parts mentioned with a profile are not included unless the profile explicitly states that they come with the kit.
Examples of related vehicle applications
- Toyota Corolla / Sprinter AE86, AE82, AE92, 4A-GE (1983–1991)
- Toyota MR2 AW11 4A-GE / 4A-GZE (1984–1989)
- Toyota Carina AT160 4A-GE (1984–1988)
- Toyota Celica AT160 4A-GE (1985–1989)
- Toyota Corona AT160 4A-GE (1985–1987)
- Geo Prizm GSi 4A-GE (1990–1992)
- Chevrolet Nova Twin Cam 4A-GE (1988)
The list covers versions with the specified engines only. Exact fitment and required modifications depend on the selected profile, cylinder head, lifters and timing system.
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