The high lift lobes on the this MINI Cooper S performance camshaft may require 'clearancing' with the spark plug tubes. To check the clearance, do the following:

1. After removing the stock camshaft , make sure the bearing surface is clean with plenty of assembly lube. Place the performance cam in the head without the bearing caps.

2. Slowly rotate the camshaft by hand and check to see if the lobes contact the spark plug tubes.

3. If the lobes contact the spark plug tubes, use a marker to mark the contact point on each tube.

4. Remove the camshaft. The following are instructions for increasing clearance for the camshaft . You should only need to deform the spark plug tube about 1/32" to 1/16" at MOST.  DO NOT OVERDO THIS MODIFICATION.

METHOD 1

1. Grab the largest flat-blade screw driver from your tool box.  Hold the tip of the screw driver against the mark on the spark plug tube perpendicular to the tube where the lobe contacted the tube.

2. GENTLY tap the screw driver with a hammer until it 'slightly' deforms the tube. You should only need to deform the spark plug tube about 1/32" to 1/16" at MOST.  Move the tip of the screw driver up and down to cover an area about 1/4" vertically.

3. Re-install the camshaft and check clearance.  You should be able to slide a folded piece of paper between the lobe and the spark plug tube.

METHOD 2

1. Using a small 'ball-pean' type hammer (the round tip), GENTLY tap the marked location to increase clearance. You should only need to deform the spark plug tube about 1/32" to 1/16" at MOST.

2. Re-install the camshaft and check clearance.  You should be able to slide a folded piece of paper between the lobe and the spark plug tube.

3. Repeat as necessary.