• Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech

Help with camshaft recommendations.

  • Thread starter Thread starter wickedmach1
  • Start date Start date Aug 10, 2004
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
W

wickedmach1

New Member
Apr 8, 2003
376
0
0
Austin, TX
Aug 10, 2004
#1
  • Aug 10, 2004
  • #1
These are the camshaft specifications that both Comp Cams and Cam Research gave me for the engine combo listed below. Remember the car is for the street, maybe sometimes strip, and needs enough vacuum for power disk brakes. My max street RPM will be around 6000. Both will idle around 750 - 800 RPM. I am trying to reach my goal of about 480 - 500 HP. What do you guys think?

#1 Comp Cams = Hydraulic Roller Camshaft (duration @ .050" = 232/240 ; valve lift w/ 1.6 = 565/574, Valve Overlap = 65 deg, Lobe Sep = 110 deg w/ 4 deg advance, 12" Vacuum, Operating Range = 2200 - 6200 RPM (Small Base Circle Cam)

#2 Comp Cams = Hydraulic Roller Camshaft (duration @ .050" = 224/232 ; valve lift w/ 1.6 = 555/565, Valve Overlap = 57 deg, Lobe Sep = 110 deg w/ 4 deg advance, 14 -15" Vacuum, Operating Range = 1800 - 5800 RPM (Small Base Circle Cam)

#3 Cam Research = Hydraulic Roller Camshaft (duration @ .050" = 230/235 ; valve lift w/ 1.6 = 556/556, Valve Overlap = 14 deg, Lobe Sep = 110 deg, 15" Vacuum, Operating Range = 2200 - 4500 RPM (Standard Base Circle Cam)


393w Stroker bored .030" over
Scat Crankshaft 3.850 stroke
Scat H-Beam Rods 6.200 length
AFR 185 Cylinder Heads w/ upgraded springs
Weiand Stealth Intake Manifold
Street Demon 750 CFM Carburetor w/ mechanical secondaries
Comp Cams 1.6 ratio Pro Magnum Roller Rocker Arms
10.0:1 Compression Ratio w/ Forged Probe Pistons
1 3/4" Headers
MSD Ignition
Edelbrock Water Pump
T-5 G-Force Tranny
9" Rearend w/ 3.89 gears and locker
 
D

D.Hearne

New Member
Sep 29, 2000
11,730
6
0
south louisiana
Aug 10, 2004
#2
  • Aug 10, 2004
  • #2
If it's any help, I ran a Ford B303 roller in a 30 over 302, with Canfield Heads. It had plenty of vacuum for the brakes. Lift and duration was .510 and 224 @ .050 The Canfields are the equivalent of your 185's. So , Yes I assume those cams should give you what you want with 90 more cubes than I had. If you can't afford the roller cam route, a slightly milder flat tappet cam would also work.
 
6

'69Stang

Founding Member
Sep 28, 1999
1,130
2
38
Metro Detroit
Aug 10, 2004
#3
  • Aug 10, 2004
  • #3
I think any of the cams would work very well. Personally, I like the spec’s on the Cam Research cam, I think that will hit your sweet spot. It should give you good power with being very streetable. 14”-15” of vacuum is a lot. However, I think the operating range you listed for the Cam research cam is a little low – 2000 – 4500? I’d think it would be closer to 2000 to 5800. I vote for Cam research.
 

PoliceInterceptor

Keeper Of Automotive Oddities
Founding Member
Aug 5, 1999
2,161
0
46
Live in GA, But could be any where really.
Aug 10, 2004
#4
  • Aug 10, 2004
  • #4
I like number one.
 
D

D.Hearne

New Member
Sep 29, 2000
11,730
6
0
south louisiana
Aug 10, 2004
#5
  • Aug 10, 2004
  • #5
I think that with the shorter valve overlap, the Cam Research grind may be hard to run on pump gas though with a 10.0 to 1 comp ratio. Would be great on a lower comp motor though.
 

ratio411

Founding Member
Apr 21, 2002
3,870
73
109
Pensacola FL
Aug 10, 2004
#6
  • Aug 10, 2004
  • #6
I like #2.
Just right for your cubes IMO.
 

brianj5600

Active Member
Sep 19, 2003
1,964
2
39
Middle TN
Aug 10, 2004
#7
  • Aug 10, 2004
  • #7
The overlap #s don't jive. Overlap on 3 should be somewhere between 1 & 2. You have some really nice parts. Why not get a custom cam from fti? This is not the time to save money. My next cam will come from Ed Curtis (FTI) or possibly Jay Allen (Camshaft Innovations).
 

2bav8

Founding Member
Nov 30, 1998
2,511
1
47
Mesa, AZ
Aug 11, 2004
#8
  • Aug 11, 2004
  • #8
I'd rather spend a few extra bucks and get an Ed Curtis cam. You'll know you have the RIGHT cam, plus an extra 20 HP
 
W

wickedmach1

New Member
Apr 8, 2003
376
0
0
Austin, TX
Aug 11, 2004
#9
  • Aug 11, 2004
  • #9
Ed Curtis? Please give me information on who he works for and his number. What can he do that Comp or Cam Research can't do?
 

PoliceInterceptor

Keeper Of Automotive Oddities
Founding Member
Aug 5, 1999
2,161
0
46
Live in GA, But could be any where really.
Aug 11, 2004
#10
  • Aug 11, 2004
  • #10
http://www.flowtechinduction.com/
 

brianj5600

Active Member
Sep 19, 2003
1,964
2
39
Middle TN
Aug 12, 2004
#11
  • Aug 12, 2004
  • #11
wickedmach1 said:
Ed Curtis? Please give me information on who he works for and his number. What can he do that Comp or Cam Research can't do?
Click to expand...
Some of the big cam companies have off the shelf customs. If you call them for a recomendation you will possibly get a specialty cam not a custom. People like Ed design a cam from scratch. Stroke, compression, port flow and cross section as well as many other variables determine not only lift and duration, but timing of events as well. Big companies can design great cams, but it seems like smaller companies give more personalized service.
 
D

D.Hearne

New Member
Sep 29, 2000
11,730
6
0
south louisiana
Aug 12, 2004
#12
  • Aug 12, 2004
  • #12
How many of y'all have actually run an "off the shelf cam" , then swapped in a custom ground cam into a motor, without doing any other mods other than to accomodate the cam's valvetrain needs ? I mean, NO different pistons, heads, intakes, carbs, etc.? That would be the ONLY way to tell just how good a custom grind is, and how good a value one is over an off the shelf grind.
 

brianj5600

Active Member
Sep 19, 2003
1,964
2
39
Middle TN
Aug 13, 2004
#13
  • Aug 13, 2004
  • #13
D.Hearne said:
How many of y'all have actually run an "off the shelf cam" , then swapped in a custom ground cam into a motor, without doing any other mods other than to accomodate the cam's valvetrain needs ? I mean, NO different pistons, heads, intakes, carbs, etc.? That would be the ONLY way to tell just how good a custom grind is, and how good a value one is over an off the shelf grind.
Click to expand...
I have never owned a custom cam, but I have never heard someone with a custom cam say it is a waste of money. It is not hard to find a good engine builder that will tell you the importance of the correct timing events. Most tell you it is the last part to buy so that it is right. You might get lucky, but it may cost you 30hp.
 

BlueMonster65

Founding Member
Feb 24, 2001
385
0
16
Connecticut
Aug 13, 2004
#14
  • Aug 13, 2004
  • #14
i think that your #2 coice is the best for what you are trying to accomplish. however i have always been a big fan of crane cams and stronly recommend you check out some of their offerings. i have had really good results with their cams. also something to consider is whether you plan to add a power adder of some sort. you would want a cam with a little more lobe separation.
 
D

D.Hearne

New Member
Sep 29, 2000
11,730
6
0
south louisiana
Aug 13, 2004
#15
  • Aug 13, 2004
  • #15
I would think that with a power adder, you'd want a tighter lobe separation, to improve cylinder scavenging and to somewhat reduce the dynamic compression to compensate for the increased compression resulting from supercharging.
 

PoliceInterceptor

Keeper Of Automotive Oddities
Founding Member
Aug 5, 1999
2,161
0
46
Live in GA, But could be any where really.
Aug 13, 2004
#16
  • Aug 13, 2004
  • #16
D.Hearne said:
I would think that with a power adder, you'd want a tighter lobe separation, to improve cylinder scavenging and to somewhat reduce the dynamic compression to compensate for the increased compression resulting from supercharging.
Click to expand...

And you would be incorrect.
 
D

D.Hearne

New Member
Sep 29, 2000
11,730
6
0
south louisiana
Aug 13, 2004
#17
  • Aug 13, 2004
  • #17
Why?
 

brianj5600

Active Member
Sep 19, 2003
1,964
2
39
Middle TN
Aug 13, 2004
#18
  • Aug 13, 2004
  • #18
I don't know all the why's, but turbo cams usually have more intake lobe and blower cams seem to have more exhaust lobe. Both seem to run 114*-116* lsa. That is to reduce overlap. Blower like more duration and turbos like neastock type.
 

BlueMonster65

Founding Member
Feb 24, 2001
385
0
16
Connecticut
Aug 13, 2004
#19
  • Aug 13, 2004
  • #19
D.Hearne the answer can be found at most superchargers websites. i suggest you start with www.procharger.com there is alot of technical info availible there and then check out www.cranecams.com there is so much tech info it will make you insane. seriously
 
D

D.Hearne

New Member
Sep 29, 2000
11,730
6
0
south louisiana
Aug 13, 2004
#20
  • Aug 13, 2004
  • #20
brianj5600 said:
I don't know all the why's, but turbo cams usually have more intake lobe and blower cams seem to have more exhaust lobe. Both seem to run 114*-116* lsa. That is to reduce overlap. Blower like more duration and turbos like neastock type.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. Never having run either turbo or superchargers in a gas motor, I didn't know that. But still seems like a little more overlap would be a good thing to improve scavenging even in that situation.
 
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

9
Does anyone else have a combo close to this
  • 90Stanger302
  • Dec 10, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
237
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Dec 25, 2025
Qtrhrse23
Q
6
Hey all,I’m putting together a 302 for my 1968 Mustang and wanted to post the combo + some questions to make sure I’m not missing crucial
  • 68_Disgustang
  • Feb 22, 2026
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
715
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Saturday at 9:06 AM
gray owl
G
SBF Head Flow Table - Work in Progress
  • Noobz347
  • Sep 29, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
17
Views
1K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Sep 30, 2025
Noobz347
SOLD SOLD!!!! 1993 Notchback Roadracer For Sale. She's a beast!
  • Boydster
  • Apr 25, 2025
  • Fox Body Mustangs For Sale (1979-93)
Replies
0
Views
1K
Fox Body Mustangs For Sale (1979-93) Apr 25, 2025
Boydster
Engine Oil coming out of cai
  • Andresquintana.mma
  • Nov 13, 2023
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
16
Views
3K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Nov 15, 2023
General karthief
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?