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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Converting to Roller Cam

  • Thread starter Thread starter ThePrimerSuspct
  • Start date Start date Feb 15, 2010
T

ThePrimerSuspct

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Sep 8, 2008
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#1
  • Feb 15, 2010
  • #1
i picked up a 93 lightning motor for a decent price, but i want to freshen it up before i drop it in. everyone says to use the stock 5.0 H.O. cam when converting it to a roller, but since everyone upgrades from the stock cam, and the specs arent that far off i dont really see the point. i was trying to decide what cam to go with. its going to be otherwise stock (for the most part). i was thinking an e303 or a b303. i think i like the b cam the more i think about it. any input?
 

RydeOn

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Founding Member
Sep 26, 2000
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Feb 15, 2010
#2
  • Feb 15, 2010
  • #2
Depends what vehicle this is going in. They are saying this because the Ford trucks are Speed Density and the 5.0HO cam is the best cam with no issues. Otherwise if you are putting the engine into a mass-air mustang, you can go with any cam you choose.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,167
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Feb 15, 2010
#3
  • Feb 15, 2010
  • #3
Kinda need to know the ultimate combo to recommend a cam. The e303 is a decent cam, but the b303 is more of a top end power sort of cam. If you are putting this in a truck or an AOD, i wouldn't recommend it.

The stock HO came, especially 85-88, is not that bad really. A decent set of 1.7 RR's on a HO cam can still get you tons of power with great drivability
 
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ThePrimerSuspct

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#4
  • Feb 15, 2010
  • #4
well its going in an 88 cougar. planning on running mass air and cars already been converted to 5 speed. looking to make around 350 hp
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,167
17,862
224
Massachusetts
Feb 15, 2010
#5
  • Feb 15, 2010
  • #5
Should be doable on a GT40 351...but i'd possibly consider other cam options first before you decide
 
T

ThePrimerSuspct

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Sep 8, 2008
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Feb 15, 2010
#6
  • Feb 15, 2010
  • #6
well thats kind of what im looking for here. ive been asking around lightning forums and all they keep telling me is stock 302 roller. but thats because they are running them in trucks. i havent really been able to find anyone whos done the same thing im doing. so i figure ill just ask the 5.0 gurus seeing as how the engines are basically the same. i had the car running a stock 302 SD setup out of a LSC with a t5 swap for 4 years with just basic bolt ons (headers, exhaust, UD pulleys) and i was pretty happy with that. it was a lot faster than my 95 GT. but i wanted some more power, and ultimately just to do something different, which is why i started with a cougar instead of a mustang in the first place.
 

RydeOn

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Feb 16, 2010
#7
  • Feb 16, 2010
  • #7
The engines are not the same. Your 351 is considerably bigger than a 302. The GT40s are still a pretty small head for the 351w. Having said that, I'd have to reccomend the stock 5.0HO cam right now and switch cams at some point down the road if/when you go to aluminum heads. The displacement of the 351 will work much better with the torque curve of the 5.0HO cam and the heads are too small to take advantage of higher lift, or a powerband shifted higher than 1000-4500 RPM
 
T

ThePrimerSuspct

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Feb 17, 2010
#8
  • Feb 17, 2010
  • #8
RydeOn said:
The engines are not the same. Your 351 is considerably bigger than a 302. The GT40s are still a pretty small head for the 351w. Having said that, I'd have to reccomend the stock 5.0HO cam right now and switch cams at some point down the road if/when you go to aluminum heads. The displacement of the 351 will work much better with the torque curve of the 5.0HO cam and the heads are too small to take advantage of higher lift, or a powerband shifted higher than 1000-4500 RPM
Click to expand...

perfect answer. that pretty much exactly what i needed. someone to explain why. thank you.
 
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