Engine Mod Advice Needed

[steve-michigan]

My engine has the modifications listed below in my signature. It's an '84 block with flat tappet lifters & cam. The engine mods were done by a previous owner and I do not know the cam specs. I have a worn lifter and am in the process of disassembling the engine to remove my lifters. Dyno results with my current set up are 227 RWHP and 255 lb-ft of torque with a broad torque curve (>200 lb-ft from 2000-5500 rpm, >230 lb-ft from 3100-5200 rpm).

My question is, "Now that I have things pretty well torn apart, are there other changes I should make now?"

I'm considering having the heads ported and the intake extrude honed. Is it likely that the cam is worn because one of the lifters wore down? Should the cam be changed for other reasons? If so, what specs would be recommended for my set-up? My understanding is that converting to a roller cam is not worth the expense, but correct me if this is wrong.

This is a street car. Thank you for your help!

 

[davelx]

I am putting a non-roller 302 in my 87 fox. i hav ebeen reading up on cams and choices for us non-roller guys. I want a lopey idle and good torque gains. i have decided to get a lunati hydralic flat tappet cam with about a .500" lift. I have talked to few motor builders and they say as long as I stay under a .510" lift then i can use my totally stock redone heads. The heads have been rebuilt(stock) and will be ported. I say get a cam and lifter set, they run around $180. Check out the new VooDoo camshafts fron Lunati... they are great for our hydralic flat tappet needs....

 

[steve-michigan]

Dave, thanks for your input. With my GT40 heads do you know if that changes the desired cam specs?

Is there anyone with desktop dyno software or a similar set-up as mine that has any recommendations on the need for a new cam, optimal cam specs, and the benefit of porting?