Cam Selection

[Dan93SVT]

I just ordered a Boss 302 block and i think my cam selection should be next, i want a street motor that will not see higher than 6,200 rpms and i have been looking at some off the shelf cams like the Comp xe274 and xe270
Im looking for opinions from people who have run these cams before or opinions on off the shelf vs a custom cam.
I will be buying a Scat forged 331 rotating assembly and AFR 185 heads, i might possibly supercharge in the future and i know that cam selection is important, also what compression ratio should i be aiming for with this build. Thanks

 

[rbohm]

the XE comp cams are good ones. we put one in my friends camaro when we built the engine on it. it idles well, and makes power through the rpm range. it does need a bit higher idle though, so be aware of that.

 

[89oem]

the tech guys at comp are really helpful too

 

[tannerc91gt]

What are your goals? Considering you went with a Bods block I'm assuming you actually wanna make some power

 

[Dan93SVT]

My goals are a to turn my 93 Cobra into a fun weekend driver that has power, reliability and is fun to drive on the street, what i don't want is a race gas high strung small block that makes its power from 3500 to 7500 and is a pain to drive in traffic. The reason for me going aftermarket block, forged internals and AFR heads is reliability and i may supercharge in the future i just don't know what cam I'm going to go with

 

[bentley429isBAC]

Not a off the shelf one.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

I'm running a H/C/I 331 stroker set up with the XE274HR camshaft. Runs well, pulls good vacuum down low, has a nice choppy idle and makes power all the way to the rev limiter. No complaints.

I initially thought it was a little bit soft in the bottom end, but then quickly realized it's because it made so much more power in the mid and top RPM ranges than the stock cam did.

Nothing at all wrong with running an off-the-shelf cam.

On a sidenote, there's really no need to forge the block, or the bottom end with the power levels those parts would produce on a street engine running less than 6,500RPM. Unless you plan on regularly exceeding 500+ horsepower, stick with the stock block, and lighter rotating assembly. Save the money for the rest of your set up.

 

[bentley429isBAC]

I'm running a H/C/I 331 stroker set up with the XE274HR camshaft. Runs well, pulls good vacuum down low, has a nice choppy idle and makes power all the way to the rev limiter. No complaints.

I initially thought it was a little bit soft in the bottom end, but then quickly realized it's because it made so much more power in the mid and top RPM ranges than the stock cam did.

Nothing at all wrong with running an off-the-shelf cam.

On a sidenote, there's really no need to forge the block, or the bottom end with the power levels those parts would produce on a street engine running less than 6,500RPM. Unless you plan on regularly exceeding 500+ horsepower, stick with the stock block, and lighter rotating assembly. Save the money for the rest of your set up.

While Na that camshaft will be ok, soon as there is a blower on it there are better options.

 

[revhead347]

I would try and shoot for 9:1 compression if you want to boost it.

Kurt

 

[Dan93SVT]

I've looked at youtube for cars running the xe274 to get an idea of the idle and from what I've seen its got a nasty idle and the stangs on there sound like they are about to stall at idle

 

[Gearbanger 101]

While Na that camshaft will be ok, soon as there is a blower on it there are better options.

True, but how many people do we know that say "might possibly supercharge in the future", or something of the like and it never gets done.

Building a forged short block and bumping up to a blower are two major (cost and effort) projects. In my experience, if they both aren't carried out the same time, one usually just never gets done at all?

 

[revhead347]

Isn't that the truth. It's always, "I built this car for a blower," and then for the next 10 years you are driving around with a 300hp stroker engine.

Kurt

 

[Gearbanger 101]

I've looked at youtube for cars running the xe274 to get an idea of the idle and from what I've seen its got a nasty idle and the stangs on there sound like they are about to stall at idle

That's the sound of muscle my friend. If the sound of a rough idle bothers you that much, why consider it as one of your selections?

FWIW my car idled just fine right around 750-800 RPM.

 

[Dan93SVT]

Its not the sound that bothers me its how is it gonna drive around town, I'm not building a strip car if i was i would get a notch, gut it and drop a 408w in it and be done with it, and yes most people say "someday" to car upgrade mods but its a good thing I'm not most people or a pimply faced teen anymore I'm at the point in life where if i want to buy a supercharger for my car i do it, you can't take the cash with you to the grave. Im just looking for opinions on a cam that would run well with my parts list

 

[tannerc91gt]

True, but how many people do we know that say "might possibly supercharge in the future", or something of the like and it never gets done.

Sums up Stangnet pretty much

 

[bentley429isBAC]

It will be fine. Its a pretty mild cam. I am guessing you'd do a smaller supercharger correct? Si maybe a D1sc or so?

 

[Dan93SVT]

Yes sir i don't plan on running much boost

 

[Dan93SVT]

I would like to enjoy my engine until i get bored with it and want to throw a supercharger on it, my buddy is running a turbo on his and says thats the way to go over supercharging

 

[Gearbanger 101]

my buddy is running a turbo on his and says thats the way to go over supercharging

For some yes, for others no. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. I'd stick with the blower for a street car personally. Yes, you'll give up a little power, but most blower set ups are less complex, with better drivability and a more stable and repeatable power band. And pretty much all are capable of exceeding 500hp.

And I wasn't inferring that you were a pimply faced teenager with my previous comment. That just seems to be the way it is. Whether it's money, or loss of interest, A change in priorities, or something else. People are always changing their minds.

 

[Dan93SVT]

yeah i hear ya i lost interest in mustangs for 6 years while i went on my old ford truck obsession, 66 F1oo swb, 79 F100 swb 460, 77 F150 4x4 swb, 70 F100 swb, 79 F100 lwb but i sold all those and have my 93 cobra back living in my garage. If i supercharge it will be down the road and its not a complete factor in the engine i want for my car