The Imola evolves again the newest Imola kits feature a cylinder head, which has been specially designed specially for the Lambretta Mugello, Imola and Monza kits. These new heads are supplied with the kits as standard, so there is no need for any further tuning or modifications.
- The new cylinder heads are designed to run on low octane fuel
- The narrow squish band width allows closer head to piston clearance for the best MSV ratio (maximum squish velocity).
- Two versions are available for each kit one standard, one for higher performance. The standard head would suit a standard cylinder using a box pipe or bolt on power pipes. Those those wanting a high performance head already altered for use with tuned / modified kit, with a power pipe, using 98 oct fuel, more retarded ignition larger carbs etc
- The new heads have a computer designed MSV at specific rpm peak for port timings.
- The heads have been re cast for better heat dissipation with finned area, more central mass to stop head warpage.
- Side plug head design has been retained for ease of use on the Lambretta, but the central combustion chamber gives better combustion process over offset standard design
- Narrow squish band design helps stop detonation and over heating of piston crown
- The narrow squish and low MSV ratio design is excellent for sustained higher rpm running of tuned engines.
- The cylinder head casting design also allows for centre plug machining should you wish, although this is for special order only.
- The all new cylinder heads are CNC machined, so the new design is replicated each time every time.
- The new cylinder heads also have some new forward thinking in them, allowing the next generation of Imola, Mugello, Monza and new high powered kit currently under test, to have extra bolt down design, which should completely eliminate the possibility in the leaking of gasket surfaces.
Cambridge Lambretta have been at the fore front of Imola, Monza and Mugello cylinder kits, helping to develop and improve them as we went along. Initially we started importing these kits in 1999, and we are now the main agent in the UK for the range of kits.
The Imola kits fit all 125/150/175 engine casings, and are probably the most powerful kit on the market for the smaller engine casings. A complete alloy cylinder, with Nicaisl lining, reed valve induction, and redesigned exhaust port (from the standard Lambretta). The kit produces from 14 to 22hp depending on specification, carb, exhaust and timing options chosen. The basic package of the Imola includes cylinder, piston, gudgeon pin, circlips, gaskets, studs and nuts, as well as the inlet manifold and reed valve assembly. We also produce full package options which include carburettor, cylinder head, exhaust for example.
The Monza kit is similar to the Imola, but this kit is designed for use on 200cc engine cases. Again an alloy cylinder with reed valve, all the parts are supplied for the conversion. Carburettors, and exhaust can be included in a tailor made package to suit your requirements. Two retail variants of the kit are available, 200 and 225.
All standard Imola 186 and Monza 200 & 225 cylinder kits are designed to run on 58mm stroke crankshafts which is standard Lambretta. Both conrod length options are available i.e 108mm for Li, SX, GP and 116mm for TV type conrods. The carburettor exits on the opposite side to standard on all kits, if your Lambretta has a battery tray this will need to be removed and re welded to the other side of the frame. The Imola and Monza require large carburettors, we recommend one from the Dell'Orto PHBH range. On Series one and two machines there is enough room to run a remote filter, on all series 3 machines no air filter is used. All Mechanical parts within your engine will need to be checked and or replaced as need due to the high power output of these kits, more details of what we recommend can be found further below.
Recommended options
Touring set up. Basic cylinder kit, with machined cylinder head to match. Carburettor 30mm Dell'Orto PHBH, exhaust either a clubman for standard looks, or the JL Road exhaust. This will give a good spread of power, achieving around 15 to 18bhp.
Fast road/ race set up. As above, but with the use of the Dell'Orto 30mm PHBH Powerjet and either JL Race exhaust or the Imola snail. Using the JL Race, This will achieve 21+ BHP, and give a good all round very quick set up.
What else will I need
As the Imola kit is basically designed for 125 / 150 / 175 scooters, on average these machines produce any thing from 5 to 8 bhp. With the Imola at minimum you should be making 13BHP, and upto 23BHP plus, so you can see the rest of your engine needs to be in very good shape. Monzas are the same, and dont forget any power output figure you have of Innocenti Lambrettas from brochures etc, the power was taken at the flywheel, our power quotes are from the rear wheel.
Click Here to view a list of parts and prices for the parts we would recommend you replace as standard.
 
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fit this kit myself?
Can Cambridge Lambretta fit the kit to my Lambretta, and how much?
Will I have to modify my scooter?
Will I have to cut my side panels for the carb?
Can you improve the Imola further?
Can I fit this kit myself?
The answer of this depends on how mechanically minded you are, you will need to be able to strip the complete engine, cylinder and barrel from your machine, replace with the new kit, and set the timing. Click Here to see the list of parts we recommend you change when fitting / carrying out Any upgrades to performance.
Questions / Top
Can Cambridge Lambretta fit the kit ?
Of course, no problem, the only thing we state is that we will carry out a full rebuild on your engine, to make sure everything is fine and up to scratch. The price would also depend on the spec of your engine, but if you were to give us a standard Lambretta engine, you can expect the final bill to be around £1100. This will give you a fully rebuilt engine including all labour costs, new quality crank, bearings all round including gearbox, electronic ignition, gearing adjusted to suit including chain and top stronger top chain guide, stronger end plate bolts, gear selector and spring (where needed), all gaskets, all oil seals, oil, spark plug and consumables, plus not forgetting the full Imola kit which includes carburettor and exhaust.
Questions / Top
Will I have to modify my scooter ?
Excluding the mechanical mods, the only frame and body modifications would be if you have a battery model Lambretta. The battery tray will have to be cut and re-welded to the other side, otherwise no other mods are needed.
Questions / Top
Will I have to cut my side panels for the carb ?
Not with the standard Imola metal or rubber manifolds & Dell'orto carbs, if you wish to use another type of carb, we would recommend a flat slide version just in case.
Questions / Top
Can you improve the Imola further?
Yes we can, we offer in house tuning, carburettor modifications, exhausts, plus a whole host of other modifications to suit your needs, contact us for details.
There have been lots of comments regarding the Imola and how it performs. As ever the normal topic is can you get more, well yes but we recommend using Imola products and its tuning. Japanese piston conversions have been tried and tested, but the are many problems with carrying out this type of conversion. First off the pistons are expensive, secondly the easiest piston to use is one from a Honda, this is very heavy compared to the standard Imola race piston, creating much more vibration. You will need to have the cylinder machined as the piston is shorter then a standard one designed for the Imola, this alters port timings. When carry out this you may find that you improve torque in mid range power, but you will also loose top end power, some thing the Imola is designed to do. So in short while we can carry out this conversion for you it in effect de-tunes and certainly as we have found out, slows the scooter, why pay more to de tune the kit?
Questions / Top
Imola History.
1999 saw a prototype of the Imola cylinders, in the UK the first showing came at the Euro Lambretta Jamboree in Durham 2000.
Cylinder V1 1999 These came with a recessed inlet reed mounting, initial pre production kits came supplied with a GOL manufactured piston. These were subsequently recalled and replaced with a piston specifically made for the Imola. Initially the reed block gasket was paper, this was then replaced by a much thicker rubber version early 2001.
Cylinder V2 June 2001 This was updated to allow the reed block to moved further away from the cylinder. Transfers were improved by both adjusting opening and duration timings, and adding more material for use with further tuning.
Cylinder V3 April 2002. Exhaust and inlet, and transfer timings were changed, improving power output and derivability.
Cylinder V4 Sept 2009. Inlet finger port elongated, and transfer timings were changed, central combustion chamber head, seven stud fixing. Out of the box power using a JL4 is now 21bhp!
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