Hello all, I am rebuilding a A12 in the near future and I am wondering about some things. i am getting my p's, so i can't have any visible upgrades ;) i have looked at tech wiki, but i can't make sense of some things. i am orienting it for acceleration, not top speed

1) what oval port head do i get for my a12 (1976 model)

2) do i need double valve springs?

3) what is the best sized radiator i should get?

4) do i get flat top or dished pistons?

5) is it worth getting a lumpy cam?

6) if i do upgrade to an oval port, is there a manifold that has the same carb on it as the circle port?

If some of these questions are dumb, just tell me haha, I just thought I'd get info from the pro's instead of interpreting it wrong from the tech wiki.

EDIT: my a12 is the standard one if that helps, like this one...

I would also want to know if a long duration camshaft is worth it obviously not with a stock carb but what about with a weber dgv? without hurting too much low end what would be a good spec regrind? also would double valve springs be needed to stop valve bounce?

hope im not interfering with your post but i thought the answers would help you out aswell:)

Thanks!

you can do a number of things, all depends on budget,

a14 internals inside a12 block.
oval port head & double valve springs, ( h89 or gx ported ).
big bore 76mm
higher comp makes better power/torque. (if combo is right)
nice cam. (dailed in).
good extractors & exhaust.
electronic dizy.
go around carby. (eg;32/36 jetted)
list go on.
heres some examples of what could be done.

i've got most things in stock or can do, if that helps. cheers

thanks mate, ill look into all of those, i have untill january next year to prep the engine, so i might make up a list of things similar to above and knock each one off slowly :)

The stock A14 cam is longer duration than an A12 cam. It will wake up the engine between 5-6,000 RPM in combination with the A14 head and Weber DGV 32/36 carburetor. Use 1.75" exhaust.