Make a Cam Recommendation

[PJB]

Im doing a bunch of motor work real soon (parts on their way) to my '92 and need to get a good off the shelf cam for it before I put it all together.
Here's what I have:
-stock 302 block and internals
-AFR 165 heads with upgraded springs
-Harland Sharp 1.6 roller rockers
-Summit roller lifters
-Edelbrock Performer intake
-AOD (soon to have a stall converter and shift kit)

I dont really want a custom ground cam because eventually Id like to do more work to the motor like a blower. I also dont really want a Ford Racing cam because Ive heard theres alot better cams out there.

Whats a good cam for my setup?
I drive the car alot on the street and drag race it at the track once a week or so.

 

[Jason 302]

I have the same combo as yours, I have the Trick Flow #1 cam (221*/225*- .499"/.510"- 112*). My numbers are below in my sig. With the cam advanced 2*, efficient ports of the AFR's, and the runner length of the Performer intake it makes VERY nice torque. The power levels off around 5200-5300 but stays level til 6000. I also had my intake port matched to the AFR's, something I recommend.

Here's a couple other options that would work well:
FRPP E-303 (220*/220*- .498"/.498") 1500-5500 rpm, $175
COMP XE264HR-12 (212*/218*- .544"/.544"- 112*) 1500-5500 rpm, $250
COMP XE270HR-12 (218*/224*- .544"/.544"- 112*) 1800-5800 rpm, $250
COMP XE258HR-12 (208*/216*- .533"/.544"- 112*) 1800-5800 rpm, $250
CRANE CR4442 (216*/220*- .533"/.544"- 112*) 2000-5500 rpm, $200

Any one of those cams will make good power.

If you're serious about the blower thing, I would maybe consider a blower grind cam such as these:
COMP 270HR (215*/224*- .533"/.533"- 114*) 1800-5300 rpm, $250
COMP 284HR (224*/230*- .533/.544"- 114*) 2000-600 rpm, $250

Now the way my motor is set up now the car is very fun on the street. If I wanted to start beggin for 11's at the track I would make these changes:
*Performer RPM upper
*COMP XE276HR-12 (224*/230*- .544"/.544"- 112*) 2200-6200
*4.10 gears

 

[DMAN302]

xe270hr-12 is my preference...check sig for my dynograph...look at the 'avg' hp and torque....broad and fun for the street IMO. Custom is definately the ideal route though and not much more expensive than a good comp cam.

 

[PJB]

xe270hr-12 is my preference...check sig for my dynograph...look at the 'avg' hp and torque....broad and fun for the street IMO. Custom is definately the ideal route though and not much more expensive than a good comp cam.

That cam uses 1.7 roller rockers though. I have 1.6's already.
The reason Im not going with a custom cam is because I dont really know what the future holds for this car/motor.

 

[PJB]

I have the same combo as yours, I have the Trick Flow #1 cam (221*/225*- .499"/.510"- 112*). My numbers are below in my sig. With the cam advanced 2*, efficient ports of the AFR's, and the runner length of the Performer intake it makes VERY nice torque. The power levels off around 5200-5300 but stays level til 6000. I also had my intake port matched to the AFR's, something I recommend.

Here's a couple other options that would work well:
FRPP E-303 (220*/220*- .498"/.498") 1500-5500 rpm, $175
COMP XE264HR-12 (212*/218*- .544"/.544"- 112*) 1500-5500 rpm, $250
COMP XE270HR-12 (218*/224*- .544"/.544"- 112*) 1800-5800 rpm, $250
COMP XE258HR-12 (208*/216*- .533"/.544"- 112*) 1800-5800 rpm, $250
CRANE CR4442 (216*/220*- .533"/.544"- 112*) 2000-5500 rpm, $200

Any one of those cams will make good power.

If you're serious about the blower thing, I would maybe consider a blower grind cam such as these:
COMP 270HR (215*/224*- .533"/.533"- 114*) 1800-5300 rpm, $250
COMP 284HR (224*/230*- .533/.544"- 114*) 2000-600 rpm, $250

Now the way my motor is set up now the car is very fun on the street. If I wanted to start beggin for 11's at the track I would make these changes:
*Performer RPM upper
*COMP XE276HR-12 (224*/230*- .544"/.544"- 112*) 2200-6200
*4.10 gears

Thanks.
Youre not the first person to recommend the TF cam. Thats one Im seriously considering. Ive also been recommended a few of those Crane cams too.

The blower will be a long way off, if I ever actually do get one. Its something Id love to have but cant afford right now.

What did it cost to get the intake port matched? Theres a few local machine shops that could probably do it.

 

[DMAN302]

I also run the 1.6rr with that cam..I worried the steep ramp rates of the XE cams might affect longlevity with 1.7's so I stepped down..both the engine builder and comp tech line said the diference would be very minimal...likely less than 5 hp peak. I selected Eddy small valve RPM heads, box stock Typhoon and all the boltons and have matched or surpassed the great majority of HCI n/a 306/302 runs with this group of parts...even quite a few of the coveted AFR/FTI/RPM intake cars...I would not hesitate to recomend this cam with 1.6rr's in anyway..you will love its sound and performance.

 

[LB0193]

contact anderson ford motorsport

 

[Woodrow]

If you decide to go with one of the comp grinds look at survival they are a good bit cheeper and the same grinds, you may have to call about some because I dont think they have all of them listed on the website.


http://www.survivalmotorsports.com/FordSBcams.html

 

[Jason 302]

Thanks.
Youre not the first person to recommend the TF cam. Thats one Im seriously considering. Ive also been recommended a few of those Crane cams too.

The blower will be a long way off, if I ever actually do get one. Its something Id love to have but cant afford right now.

What did it cost to get the intake port matched? Theres a few local machine shops that could probably do it.

I don't remember but I think it was around $90. I taped a piece of heavy paper to the heads (bolted on the block) and cut a template of the ports. I put some glue on that paper and then set my intake on there. When I lifted the intake I had a perfect match of where the ports lined up. So I marked the intake with a permanant marker and took it to the machine shop and said "this is what I need". Worked out pretty good.

 

[Sicarius428]

For a mild off the shelf cam I would go with the TFS stage 1.
Kevin

 

[Marlboro_Man]

For a mild off the shelf cam I would go with the TFS stage 1.
Kevin

I would never EVER reccomend this cam.

Make up your mind what you wanna do with the engine and then order a custom cam.

Don't put yourself in the same situation i am of having to buy new parts 2 or even 3 times. I wish i would have talked to Jay Allen before i got the AFR 165's and tfs1 crap and wasn't happy.

Go to www.camshaftinnovations.com When you make up your mind.

Or for a small fee Jay will pick out the best off the shelf cam for your setup, If you buy it and decide not to use it he will add the money you paid him towards a custom cam.

 

[PJB]

Whats so bad about the TF cam?

The thing is I know what the setup is going to be for now, but later on down the road when I get more money Id like to change it if I can.

$400 is alot to spend on a cam and I really dont want to pay somebody $50 to pick the best cam. Thats kinda what I was trying to do with this thread.

 

[Jason 302]

Nothing is wrong with that cam, is there better choices out there? Probably, especially a custom cam. But I have the Trick Flow #1 cam, and for $140, mid 12 timeslips, and 20 mpg, you won't see me complaining on that deal. It gets the job done and thats all I ask for. So I can't say that I wouldn't recommend the cam, but man just build what you want to build, its your car, experiment, live and learn, you can't go faster than the people you're taking advice from

 

[Cwalk]

I have a trick flow stage II cam. It only cost me $100. And it's well worth it. When I finish my build I will step up to one of the comp cam ones though.

 

[Sicarius428]

As I said "OFF THE SHELF". When compared to similar "MILD" street cams... for example the E cam... it is a lot better. I have had both on the same combo. Of course a custom cam is better but he wasn't asking about those was he now.
Kevin

Camels are better anyways... hehe jk jk