Another Cam Question (quick)

[noreasteb]

I have a 1989 5.0 HO with a solid lower end. I have a set of newly conditions1960's 351 DOOE heads to top the engine off.
Now to the cam, I have an FRPP alphabet cam, B303 and from the reading I have done this cam seems less than ideal for a bronco. Is there any good in installing this cam over stock? If I advance the cam 4* would this shift the power down the rmp range any?
I am on a tight budget and cannot afford a $250 cam at this time. Any help from you cam experts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[broncnaz]

Supposedly these are the numbers for a B cam

Peak torque - 3300
Peak hp - 5100
Power doesn't really hit until 3500-4000 rpm and you're done around 5500. It's a narrow powerband for it.

advancing really doesnt change the numebers much only gives a little more bottom end torque.
The B cam is a lot on the big side for a bronco unless you have the gearing to run it. I would stay with the stock 89 cam or look for a explorer cam. Should be able to find a used one for fairly cheap. Also make sure those 351 heads are setup for a roller cam ie correct valve springs.

 

[noreasteb]

I was being hopeful. From all the reviews I saw online, it seems it is a pretty outdated cam and had a small powerband rmp range.

The heads which I just got back from the machine shop have 110 lb springs (seat pressure). He told me this would be ok for a some mild cams with a lift in the .480 range. I wanted to get them tapped for the screw in studs by dont have the coin to do it yet.

I guess back to the cam search ...

 

[broncnaz]

Just double check on the heads "Ok for some mild cams up to .480 lift" well even most stock roller cams are pretty close to that lift number. I would get the heads setup for screw in studs before using a roller cam with them. Roller cams use steeper profiles and will put more pressure on those old push in studs. You'll probably end up pulling the studs out quick.

 

[noreasteb]

I am worried about that. The guy at the machine shop said it would be another 100 or so to have it done but said he is confident it would work with cams similar to the B303.
Now you got me thinking ....

 

[av bronco]

Looking at the specs thaat cam is already advanced 5 degrees, I wouldnt advance it.

 

[DirtDonk]

So the Exploder cam is somewhat desirable too then? I have one, but figured I'd still go aftermarket, to take advantage of updates over the years.
Heard the Explorer cam fell off at the top end fairly early (like 4500 rpm or so). Is that correct?

Paul

 

[noreasteb]

I have not heard too much about the explorer cam, but I am not to impressed with the power of that engine in the explorer, kinda a dog.

I also found another cam, Edelbrocks Performer Plus (#3722). It is out of my range but looks to be a good fit for a 5.0. Anybody using this?

 

[broncnaz]

Unless your building something that needs to rev past 4500 rpm the explorer cam is a good low end cam. I'd probably consider the Stock 5.0 cam as well as its bigger but not to big and you should be able to pick one up for next to nothing. The edelbrock is a little smaller than the b303 but not by much considering the higher lift.

The explorer cam has .422/.448 lift and 256/266 duration.
The mustang cam has .444/.444 lift and 278/278 adv. duration.
Edelbrock #3722 has 282/282 lift and 498/498 duration
B303 cam 284°/284° duration 480/480 lift

Cam choice is the most critical part of the whole engine and a lot depends on what gearing and useage is going to be. If you dont have good gearing or are looking at running a OD tranny to hit lower RPM's on the hiway then you need to stick with the smaller cams that build torque down low. If you have low gearing and dont care about hiway RPM's then the bigger cams can be used as you will be in the power band. The wrong cam with wrong gearing will make the engine feel doggy or like it runs out of power.

 

[av bronco]

there is a zillon things to consider when selecting a cam, if you want a experts advice I would contact Jay at camshaft innovations, he's a ford guy.

 

[noreasteb]

I have done a lot of reading and do understand that a cam is really dependent upon a load of different factors and that I am pretty limited on building a torque engine out of a 302 (short stroke and all).
Since I have slightly better flowing heads than the stock E7's that came on the 89 HO I figured I could step up a little from the stock cam to provide a little better low end grunt and give a bit more power at highway speeds.
Since I have the b303 cam already, I am just nervious that it will hurt rather than help over the stock mustang cam.
I appreciate the helpful info you guys are provding, but still on the fence.

 

[Viperwolf1]

If you want to build a torquey motor use the explorer cam along with some 1.7 ratio rockers.

 

[FASTERDAMITT]

I would run the stock cam unless you have low gears, stall converter, and/or stick shift. It's a big mismatch. That cam needs a 2500 stall to work proper. You'll love the sound though!

 

[broncnaz]

The B303 cam is for higher RPM's you'll lose lowend with it. While the ad's say good low end torque that only means it still has some lowend torque and its only "good" the ads also say big icrease in topend and usually a increase stall converter is also needed. You have to consider that these cams were desgned for the mustang crowd they may be running 3.73 gears and maybe 26in tires on a way lighter vehicle so they wont notice much of a loss at lowend.

Better heads really dont mean a lot in the overall scheme but better heads usually do move the power band up a little more in the RPM range so couple that with a already high rpm cam and you'll probably lose a little more lowend.