THE PIPER TWIN CAM
RARE ’80s CONVERSION
Produced by Piper Cams in very limited numbers in the mid-1980s, the twin-cam conversion kit for the eight-valve Pinto engine was originally designed for competition use.The kit consisted of an alloy cam carrier, two camshafts, bucket-type followers, a single vernier drive pulley, valve springs, shorter drive belt and shims (to adjust the tappets).The whole assembly was designed to fit on top of the original Pinto head once the cam bearing pillars had been removed, with the belt driving the inlet cam, with a pair of gears then driving the exhaust cam.While the inlet cam could be adjusted by vernier pulley, the exhaust side was altered by offset dowels. Fiddly!
The front end is all Escort-based. A set-up which usually splits opinion amongst the purists. However, I’m not a purist and always think outside the box in order to make things work. The problem with Escort underpinnings in an Anglia is the resulting wider track width. Therefore, I modified mine, firstly to bring it to within standard Anglia dimensions. I was absolutely determined to fit those 7x13 inch rims with a -7 offset. And secondly to get the Pinto sat exactly where I wanted it. The brakes are 2.8i Capri vented discs up front with Hi-Spec four-pot callipers.
Working backwards, there’s a modified 2.8i Capri five-speed gearbox. This has bigger bearings and much better ratios than the more commonly-used 2-litre Sierra item. There’s an RS2000 alloy sump and bellhousing which is modified for hydraulic clutch actuation. The standard van axle remains and is fitted with a 3J plate-type LSD.
“I’M TOLD IT SOUNDS LIKE A RALLY CAR OUT ON THE ROAD”
Nuts and bolts
Once back from the paintshop, the whole thing was reassembled using brand-new nuts and bolts with refurbished fixtures and fittings throughout. Including all new door seals, felts and rubbers, new headlights and indicators, new door handles — all using new seals and gaskets
— and finally a set of brand-new stainless bumpers. The interior was all redone, with homemade doorcards and new custom carpet. I chose the silver-grey theme to co-ordinate with the similar colours in the engine bay.
Out on the road, it’s quite lairy. The engine and this particular pair of 45s make it quite loud and shouty. I’m told it sounds like a stage rally car coming up the road — only for a little blue van to appear. That makes it all worthwhile!