E303 Cam

TRIBUNAL · Oct 21, 2016

Hey I am thinking of getting an E303 Cam for my Explorer engine, gt40p heads because the engine is out and it would be easiest to get it done now.
I am upgrading the springs and getting a valve job done.
Is it necessary to upgrade the stock rockers now?
Will I damage anything using them for the time being?
I know 1.7's would be best but I can't afford it at the moment.
Thoughts?

General karthief · Oct 21, 2016

TRIBUNAL said:
Hey I am thinking of getting an E303 Cam for my Explorer engine, gt40p heads because the engine is out and it would be easiest to get it done now.
I am upgrading the springs and getting a valve job done.
Is it necessary to upgrade the stock rockers now?
Will I damage anything using them for the time being?
I know 1.7's would be best but I can't afford it at the moment.
Thoughts?

No problem, stock rocker on! Learn to degree a cam and check piston to valve clearances, I guarantee it will be handy later when you start going bigger better faster more, it's a sickness.

TRIBUNAL · Oct 21, 2016

thanks man

mikestang63 · Oct 21, 2016

alhpabet cam... why? I can think of several better choices starting with the N41 designed for those heads.

a91what · Oct 21, 2016

+1 don't buy any ford racing alphabet cams! I did and very much regret it.... save yourself some heartache and just get the Anderson n41 or the trick flow stage 1 cam

TRIBUNAL · Oct 21, 2016

I looked for a used TFS1 but couldn't find any and saw Craigslist had more then one E303 for about $80-$100. I don't see any anderson 41's t all used. I thought because the specs were really close to the E303 it would be almost as good.
After reading this and searching I did just spot a TFS1 cam and going to try to get it at a reasonable price, we'll see.

So you really don't recommend the E303, if I get it that cheap?

a91what · Oct 21, 2016

If I was rebuilding my motor I would use the stock cam before the e303. You couldn't give me one

deathb4dismount · Oct 21, 2016

Stock cam is fun and drives nice. I honestly miss it sometimes. If you know what your end combo will be use the stocker and save for custom grind. I wish I had done that

TRIBUNAL · Oct 21, 2016

You're referring to the stock mustang cam right? Because I was reading somewhere that the stock explorer cam sucks.

Well I'll see if I can get the TFS1 cheap if not I'll find a stock cam. Its actually hard to find, I was looking originally and found most people throw them away when they upgrade.

mikestang63 · Oct 21, 2016

Ever wonder why there are so many E303 cams for sale and not many TFS or Anderson ones? That should say something there.

Don't buy a use cam. It is the most important part to put in a motor. You have no clue if the lobes are true and correct, if it is cracked, or how many miles on it. Hell, I've seen brand new cams out of the box that had mismatched lobes- especially on almost every alphabet cam. Bring a lunch for a week or two and buy a new one. Do it right the first time and you will be happy with the results.

That being said, what spring kit are you going to use? I recommend the TFS kit or Alex's.

How many miles on the lifters? You dont want to reuse stock hi mile lifters with an aftermarket cam, as they will either not pump up and tick or worse break.. I'd look at crane replacements as the Ford ones have been iffy.

deathb4dismount · Oct 21, 2016

TRIBUNAL said:
You're referring to the stock mustang cam right? Because I was reading somewhere that the stock explorer cam sucks.

Well I'll see if I can get the TFS1 cheap if not I'll find a stock cam. Its actually hard to find, I was looking originally and found most people throw them away when they upgrade.

Yes, maybe I should have actually read the post. My bad.

5.0specialist · Oct 21, 2016

Stock 5.0 HO cam with 1.7 rockers would be a nice setup with gt40p heads. At what rpm are you planning to shift at or what does it shift at (if auto)?

Mustang5L5 · Oct 22, 2016

Find a stock 85-88 cam if on a budget

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

TRIBUNAL · Oct 22, 2016

The engine had 117k miles
It's carbed with a Holley 600 and Holley performer intake.
The stock lifters had a lot of carbon on them, I have been in the process of soaking each one overnight in chem dip and its been working real well so far, keeping each one in the original position.

For the springs I was going to go with these: http://www.alexsparts.com/valve-spring-kit-gt40-mid-lift-cams-high-output-drop-in-up-to-540-lift/
I don't want the shop to have to do any machining and these seem to be highly recommended.

After reading all this, I wish I could find a new stock cam lol... I hate to keep the one that's in there for the time being.. then again maybe I'll get a used stock mustang cam and replace this one, they're both used so the risk is the same and if I was to drop $300 on a good cam then I guess I need to consider lifters too now which is another $113, so the price just keeps rising. I can do it down the road i guess. hmmmm

Hey thanks for the free advice even if it's bad news I appreciate it, looks like I woulda wasted a lot of time+money other wise.

oh and I'm not looking to go too high in the RPM's, normal stock range limit, I don't want to break anything, not looking to bring it to the drag strip more then once or twice. I just like to go through the gears on the street and know the power is there when I want to get on it.

A5literMan · Oct 22, 2016

There are a few other used options. There are some comp cam and lunati profiles that are out there(comp 264/270 HR for example). The E and B cams "work" without clearance issues etc. but they are dated and have some issues with idle and lowend response. As mike and the others stated above it's rather important to properly match the cam. Don't skimp on your valvetrain components including lifters. You don't want to have a failure and have to tear back into the motor or worse. Save 500$ and get all of the right parts...it will run better and have less chance of failure. Best of luck.

5.0specialist · Oct 22, 2016

TRIBUNAL said:
The engine had 117k miles
It's carbed with a Holley 600 and Holley performer intake.
The stock lifters had a lot of carbon on them, I have been in the process of soaking each one overnight in chem dip and its been working real well so far, keeping each one in the original position.

For the springs I was going to go with these: http://www.alexsparts.com/valve-spring-kit-gt40-mid-lift-cams-high-output-drop-in-up-to-540-lift/
I don't want the shop to have to do any machining and these seem to be highly recommended.

After reading all this, I wish I could find a new stock cam lol... I hate to keep the one that's in there for the time being.. then again maybe I'll get a used stock mustang cam and replace this one, they're both used so the risk is the same and if I was to drop $300 on a good cam then I guess I need to consider lifters too now which is another $113, so the price just keeps rising. I can do it down the road i guess. hmmmm

Hey thanks for the free advice even if it's bad news I appreciate it, looks like I woulda wasted a lot of time+money other wise.

oh and I'm not looking to go too high in the RPM's, normal stock range limit, I don't want to break anything, not looking to bring it to the drag strip more then once or twice. I just like to go through the gears on the street and know the power is there when I want to get on it.

For stock RPM range, if you have the money to do it, I'll look for the Comp XE258hr cam if you have an automatic transmission (shifts at 4700-4900 rpm stock at WOT). The power range is 1300-5300 rpms. It is called "stock cam on steroids". .533 lift on the intake side and .544 lift on the exhaust side. If you shift a higher rpm than that, then I suggest the comp XE264hr cam. Or, if your on a budget, look for a stock 5.0 HO cam (85'-88' if possible aka E5ZE cam) and install a set of 1.7 rockers as mentioned above.

a91what · Oct 22, 2016

I have multiple cams under the shelf somewhere..... let me look and see what the part numbers are...

TRIBUNAL · Oct 22, 2016

Thats would be great let me know what you have.
I have a manual, looking for more stockish range than upper rpm's
E5ZE, that's stamped on the cam I assume?

Also I gave the wrong part number before those were for gt40, not the P heads,
Correct link, good for 540 lift: http://www.alexsparts.com/valve-spr...lift-cams-high-output-drop-in-up-to-540-lift/

General karthief · Oct 22, 2016

Good advice on cams, I put a f cam and then an e and then went to stock. Happier for street use, with air conditioning, crusing at low speeds much happier. Guys are get'n good hp numbers with blowers and turbos using stock cams. 'Alphabet' cams were the first performance ford pieces, I think the 93 cobras had them, lots of technology since 93. Someone will correct me if I am wrong.

a91what · Oct 23, 2016

Only info I can find on the cam is these numbers.

82j 1

Has roughly. .3 lobe lift. All lobes are the same.

E303 Cam

TRIBUNAL

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General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

TRIBUNAL

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mikestang63

a91what

SendMeUrDataLog

TRIBUNAL

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a91what

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deathb4dismount

Crap, didn’t realize my crotch was in that picture

TRIBUNAL

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mikestang63

deathb4dismount

Crap, didn’t realize my crotch was in that picture

5.0specialist

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Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

TRIBUNAL

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A5literMan

At least it is lumpy...

5.0specialist

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a91what

SendMeUrDataLog

TRIBUNAL

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General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

a91what

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wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair

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Crap, didn’t realize my crotch was in that picture

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Crap, didn’t realize my crotch was in that picture

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That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

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