Cam selection

[Agui-E7TE]

I'm as confused as anyone about cam selection when it comes to our Small Block Fords. I have heard mixed reviews about using the Ford Racing alphabet Cams so I'd like to hear what everyone thinks about either sticking with the blue oval cams or going with something else.

If you've had great results using the Ford cams or other cams, it would be nice to hear your thoughts on this.

[philofab]

The stock Mustang cam is capable of over 400 horse in a 302.

Alphabet cams work great. E303 is worthless without a manual trans or a loose converter.

[Agui-E7TE]

Thanks Philo! Any suggestions for the 351?

[philofab]

The cam needs to be matched to your heads, motor size, compression, and usage.

What is it going in? Gears? Trans? What heads? What type of injection or carb? Smog or no smog? Is low vacuum for accessories acceptable? Are you looking for power or economy? If power, are you looking for torque or HP a 4500 RPM?

[Deleted Account]

The stock Mustang cam is capable of over 400 horse in a 302.

Alphabet cams work great. E303 is worthless without a manual trans or a loose converter.

yep.. i have one with a low stall and high gears..

[AussieRod]

Isky Hyd Roller # 371257/265.

[Agui-E7TE]

For me I'm going with a 393 stroker with flat top pistons and Edelbrock Vic Jr. heads with BBK 1 5/8 shorty headers and a Edelbrock 5.8 EFI Truck Intake. The compression ratio will be 9.5 to 1. Its going in my '89 Bronco and will bolt up to a C6. Gears would be 4.56. It will be fuel injected but I would be running a larger fuel pump and some 36 lbs./hr. injectors, adjustable fuel pressure regulator, and aftermarket fuel rail. I'd like to be able to pass smog with it. As far as vacuum, as long as there's enough for the power booster so I can still stop the truck. It would be meant for power and 10 mpg on the highway would be more than enough fuel economy. I want more torque than horsepower. I would probably never rev it passed 5800 RPM's.


Also, for a stock Bronco 5.8 that just has shorty headers, 4.56 gears, E4OD, 35s, underdrive pulleys, and a K&N intake....since this seams to be a common route many of us take. Obviously this one would be more for economy and smog legal but with just enough power to make it fun.

[philofab]

For the stock Bronco the factory roller Mustang cam works great. A lot of the Lightning guys swear by them.

I will be running a E303 on my 351 but I will be doing a custom tune on a EEC-IV ECM or just upgrade it to a aftermarket ECU that processes faster and has wideband capability.

The E303 would work for your stroker if you have a 2800+ stall converter. Be warned it will make lots of heat and require a lot of ECM tuning.

The A or B cam will result in better low end and will do ok with stock management.

[Agui-E7TE]

Sweet! Thanks Philo! I guess I'll be sticking to an E303 cam. I had no idea that the stock Mustang HO cam would really help that much. I may have to give the mustang cam a shot before the 351 comes out of my Bronco unless I swap it in to my Dad's '56 F100 and try it there.

As far as the 2800 stall converter, would it hurt it if I used the stock converter?

[Phoenix0783]

Stock mustang short block buildup:
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/11 ... index.html

[philofab]

Sweet! Thanks Philo! I guess I'll be sticking to an E303 cam. I had no idea that the stock Mustang HO cam would really help that much. I may have to give the mustang cam a shot before the 351 comes out of my Bronco unless I swap it in to my Dad's '56 F100 and try it there.

As far as the 2800 stall converter, would it hurt it if I used the stock converter?

It won't hurt it but the E303 will make the engine fall on it's face and driveablity will suck.

[Agui-E7TE]

would a 2800 stall converter still drive pretty decent on the street and highway? I plan on putting a Trans Go shift kit in my C6. Is it a really loose converter or does loose converter mean something else. I've always wondered about these things.

[philofab]

would a 2800 stall converter still drive pretty decent on the street and highway? I plan on putting a Trans Go shift kit in my C6. Is it a really loose converter or does loose converter mean something else. I've always wondered about these things.

A loose converter is a high stall as it allows the motor to run faster than the trans spins.

This would be horrible on the street and highway. On the highway you would never hit lockup so gas mileage would be like 3-4 mpg and the motor would be screaming.

If your going to be on the street and highway a lot get a RV or stock Mustang cam with a low stall converter (IE stock or RV/Towing).

[hobbyturnedobsession]

That's what I thought was an RV cam

[Agui-E7TE]

So I should stick with a stock mustang cam for the 393 or do you mean I should keep the stock converter? What do you think about a B303 cam, Philo?

[robertcrav]

What kind of improvement would be seen with a stock Mustang HO cam Ina '96 with headers and intake? Will need to pass smog and will eventually have 4.56s and 35s

[hobbyturnedobsession]

Still goin to need a high stall converter

[robertcrav]

Why? Stock Mustang 5.0 stall speed is around 1800 with 2.73 gears or something like that if memory serves me...least that's what my '91 LX had stock

[SuperSixAxis]

I believe weight, Rotating Mass ect will play a dramatic part in this. Even with 2.73 HWY gears the 5.slow will have 2500 less pounds to move and half(or less) rotating mass.

Am I on the right track here?

[300]

Mustang's going to have a LOT smaller tires to go with those tall gears.