Cam suggestion question

[ksquared]

I've submitted queries to a couple of cam grinders but so far no answers. What I'm working with:
75 Bronco with a 69 351W bored 30 over
Stroked to 408
Compression around 10:1
Edelbrock 60255 heads with 2.02 intakes & 1.60 exhausts 190cc runner & 1.6 rockers
Edelbrock Performer RPM 7181 intake
Headers with 3 inch collectors
4 speed top loader
33" tires with 4.11 locker
Mostly street - infrequent off road
Want hydraulic roller cam 1500 to 6000rpm

Anybody been there/done that?

 

[DirtDonk]

As always, I’m interested to hear what others say.
Lots of members have certainly swapped new aftermarket cams in over the years that’s for sure. Mostly from off the shelf, big names, but quite a few have done custom grinds with boutique manufacturers.
Some of whom are no longer “boutique“ but rather fairly mainstream in the FORD world.
Don’t have a good answer for you myself, from any experience. I’ve always gone for the milder grinds myself. Barely over stock in most cases.

Good luck!

 

[.94 OR]

What are you planning to use for roller lifters?

 

[Broncobowsher]

When you did the compression ratio calculation, did you account for the block being a '69 with the 0.023" shorter deck? When I did my 351 I messed that part up and the planned 10:1 actually came in at 11:1

I really like the combo of good heads for flow and get the power, and a slightly undersized cam to keep it drivable. Might lose a little ultimate power, but it starts and drives much nicer.

 

[ksquared]

Yeah I'm not a fan of cams that kill the bottom end. Would be different if I was building a drag racer. The extra displacement should help moderate a slightly aggressive cam. Yes I know about the block measurements. The 10:1 is my target. Rollers? I'll probably use a kit from the vendor I pick. Most recently I was looking at Howards Cams. I've kinda been surprised at how expensive a roller kit can be over a flat tappet. I guess I want a Bronco that will surprise guys in Mustangs, etc. I'll probably never go faster than 90 but if I can get there quicker than the other guy I'll be happy. Heck, I have some motorcycles that will do 140 but I won't. For me, torque is king but hey - making torque all the way up to redline is cool

 

[Oldtimer]

I went with FTI (Flow Tech Induction). Ed Curtis is great to work with, listens and answers questions. Made recommendations to save me money. He is semi-retired and takes a day or three to respond to emails.
Block is still at machine shop, so no comments on how it runs.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I would call the tech line at Howards and ask what they think. I let them talk me into a milder cam than I was planning on the last cam I got. Turned out to be a real happy choice.

 

[1973bronco1973]

I used a flat tappet cam on my 408 with rpm heads but a performer intake. It starts good, idles smooth and works well for my needs. 35” tire 4.11 gears c4 auto. It is a little small for top end power, but I wanted it to drive like stock with more power everywhere and it does that for me. Here is the cam:

Lunati #10350702
Adv. 262/268
@ 0.050 219/227
.499/.522 lift
112 lobe separation angle
108 intake centerline

On my engine it’s 15-16” vacuum around 750 idle


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DirtDonk]

Looks like a really good one. Did they give you a lobe separation angle also? If so, let us know what that is as well.

 

[ksquared]

Here is what Howard Cams suggested:

CL222755-12
@ .050 225/231
.533/.544 lift
112 lobe separation
108 intake centerline

 

[Timmy390]

Here is what Howard Cams suggested:

CL222755-12
@ .050 225/231
.533/.544 lift
112 lobe separation
108 intake centerline

A bit high in the RPM range for me. I like lower.....
Basic Operating RPM Range: 2,200-6,500

Tim

 

[Broncobowsher]

A bit high in the RPM range for me. I like lower.....
Basic Operating RPM Range: 2,200-6,500

Tim

Lift looks good, surprised he is calling for that much duration?
I agree, looks like too much cam for the intended application. I'm sure the engine will run really good with that cam. Sounds like they are giving advise on the engine specs more than the owner's description of how they want it to run.

 

[Timmy390]

I just feel like big numbers tend to pull people in. JMO...you do you right? That kit from Howards is 1K plus you need spring upgrade per them.

To the OP, how often do you really tend to be 5K and above on RPM? I can see it if you were in the sand and wanted to keep the wheels spinning and throwing sand.....but for the street I just don't see it unless you plan to street race the mustang crowd. If you don't plan on living in the upper power band then you're wasting time and money on something you're not using. Heck, go with a lessor cam and just tell everyone you have X at the car show....no one will know

Tim

 

[pcf_mark]

I have never met a car that didn;t need more power. Ever.

That being said a roller with a lot of lift and less duration wins the street fight. The Lunati grind is going to be a powerhouse in the mid-range all the way to 5k. Reminder you have an extra 58 cubic inches to give you bottom end torque.

This is more cam than you may need but the comparison is great because you can see the power and torque curves - look in the 3-5k range and the 408 is just a beast.

 

[ksquared]

I don’t know if the Howards cam is too much. Might be. I was told some time ago by someone knowledgeable that higher displacements can tame a cam and 408 is a moderately high displacement. I will seldom rev above 5k. More likely I’ll spend my time between 2500 & 4500. But I don’t want it to run out of steam too soon. Actually I don’t expect much above 5500 with hydraulics. Another engine I’m building is a 428CJ with a solid roller. The cam?

@ .050 240/240
.640/.640 lift
110 lobe separation
110 intake centerline

The grinder, Chet Herbert, said the displacement will make it tolerable for the street. It will be capable of 7000 and is going in a 69 Mustang with a 4 speed. I’m inquiring with some more cam grinders to see what they say. Thanks 1 for the Lunati info.

 

[Timmy390]

I don’t know if the Howards cam is too much. Might be. I was told some time ago by someone knowledgeable that higher displacements can tame a cam and 408 is a moderately high displacement. I will seldom rev above 5k. More likely I’ll spend my time between 2500 & 4500. But I don’t want it to run out of steam too soon. Actually I don’t expect much above 5500 with hydraulics. Another engine I’m building is a 428CJ with a solid roller. The cam?

@ .050 240/240
.640/.640 lift
110 lobe separation
110 intake centerline

The grinder, Chet Herbert, said the displacement will make it tolerable for the street. It will be capable of 7000 and is going in a 69 Mustang with a 4 speed. I’m inquiring with some more cam grinders to see what they say. Thanks 1 for the Lunati info.

You better invest in some rocker shafts and stabilization if running that kind of lift on a FE......Been there done that.....shafts will snap with less than 600 lift......My 390 (also in a 69 Mach 1) has a Crane 343801 Flat Tappet, Advertised Duration 278/290, Lift .548/.580 It snapped the upgraded shafts.......I now run end stands.....

Tim

 

[ksquared]

Yep. I have a Harland Sharp setup.

 

[73azbronco]

I went through this 10 years ago building my 347.

I built it with static CR of 11:1, but had Ford Stroker grind a cam that dropped dynamic compression to 9.7, so I can use regular gas. It was not cheap to have a custom cam grind.

Therefore, If I had to do it again, I would go with an off the shelf towing cam. These are not racing trucks.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Forgot about this one that I started many years back. Might find some helpful info
https://classicbroncos.com/forums/threads/stroker-owners-20-questions.196925/

 

[davisjstone]

Howards Cam recommended this cam for me last year when I called. Not my area of expertise, but may be helpful for your research. This was for a rebuilt 351W, RPM intake, AFR aluminum heads., 4 speed auto.

PN: 221145-12
Lift: .544 / .533,
Duration @ .050: 219 / 225,
Centerline: 108,
Good idle, Good mid-range power, Good vacuum, 9.5 - 10.5:1 compression & 2500+ stall converter.

They also recommended the lifter/rocker kit complement this cam - CL221145-12.