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

trick flow 190 heads, what cam

  • Thread starter Thread starter dmc919
  • Start date Start date Feb 7, 2010
D

dmc919

Member
Sep 4, 2006
41
0
6
Feb 7, 2010
#1
  • Feb 7, 2010
  • #1
89 hatchback, 4.30 gears, 5 speed, 302 with fresh bottom end, trick flow 190 heads, trick flow upper/lower intake. what off the shelf cam to use? was thinking about the stage 3 tfs cam but i'm interested in other options. car will not be run on the street, looking to get deep in the 11's on motor and in the 10's with a shot of nitrous. not looking for a nitrous cam, want it to run strongest on motor alone.
 
8

88GTBlack

New Member
Dec 17, 2009
14
0
2
Feb 7, 2010
#2
  • Feb 7, 2010
  • #2
im running the same heads im still in the market for a new cam im waiting for a response from comp for a custom grind...im in the same boat as you with a set of trick flow 190cc heads
 

liljoe07

5 Year Member
Feb 18, 2009
1,622
363
124
Cartersville,Ga
Feb 7, 2010
#3
  • Feb 7, 2010
  • #3
You'll need something that doesn't have a lot of duration, but with good lift. Lots of guys over cam their engines. Then they complain about it being a dog in the lower rpm's. Then you have guys saying that the heads or intake are too big because if this. Thats totally inaccurate. Its the fact that the combination as a whole is screwed up because of a miss match cam. A cam with a lot of duration is not what you need with a set of heads like the TFS 190 on a 302/6. But, lift is your friend! And a cam with 225+ intake duration is probably way too much for this combo. I wouldn't use the TFS 3 unless you feel like reving this thing pretty high to make any power. My custom cam has about 214 on the intake duration. If that tells you anything.
 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician
Aug 8, 2003
8,016
1,613
194
NJ
Feb 7, 2010
#4
  • Feb 7, 2010
  • #4
Sounds like you are balls deep financially already, why no just spend a few more bucks and get a custom cam? Not from the comp guys either, get the specs from an engine builder.
Another good reason to go custom is that 190's are probably a bit much for a 302.
 

joel5.0

Member
Jun 15, 2004
429
2
18
Puerto Rico
Feb 8, 2010
#5
  • Feb 8, 2010
  • #5
2000xp8 said:
Another good reason to go custom is that 190's are probably a bit much for a 302.
Click to expand...

.... 190's are not "a bit much for a 302"....... they simply do not require such an aggressive camshaft on the intake to perform more efficiently. Or are 260cc heads a bit much for OEM 376 CI engines used in '07+ trucks and SUV's by GM?
 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician
Aug 8, 2003
8,016
1,613
194
NJ
Feb 8, 2010
#6
  • Feb 8, 2010
  • #6
joel5.0 said:
.... 190's are not "a bit much for a 302"....... they simply do not require such an aggressive camshaft on the intake to perform more efficiently. Or are 260cc heads a bit much for OEM 376 CI engines used in '07+ trucks and SUV's by GM?
Click to expand...

You aren't really comparing a 6.2l gm truck engine with variable timing to a stock 302 are you?
By your theory everyone with a 302 should start out with afr 185's, or TFS 190's. Guess all these companies are just wasting their time making heads with 165 or 170 runners.
Ever seen an original boss 302 setup? Heads are enormous, what's worse is that it makes 200rwhp.

To the OP, since the car is a race car, you can probably make it work pretty well since you won't need any low end to get your around on the street or in parking lots, but seriously consider an expert for cam choice.
 

joel5.0

Member
Jun 15, 2004
429
2
18
Puerto Rico
Feb 8, 2010
#7
  • Feb 8, 2010
  • #7
2000xp8 said:
You aren't really comparing a 6.2l gm truck engine with variable timing to a stock 302 are you?
By your theory everyone with a 302 should start out with afr 185's, or TFS 190's. Guess all these companies are just wasting their time making heads with 165 or 170 runners.
Ever seen an original boss 302 setup? Heads are enormous, what's worse is that it makes 200rwhp.

To the OP, since the car is a race car, you can probably make it work pretty well since you won't need any low end to get your around on the street or in parking lots, but seriously consider an expert for cam choice.
Click to expand...

Yes I am, or is the variable cam timing concept not the same as installing the correct valve events? Obviously the Windsor/Cleveland setups do lack that technology and capability however, haven't you heard of the concept "middle ground"? And yes..... everyone with a 302 would be better off setting an efficient intake setup that doesn't require the use of an aggressive camshaft. Or is a 306 with Victor Jr. 210 cc heads, 9.75 CR, street setup, with all its accessories (A/C included), single plane intake and 650 DP Holley, giving 20+mpg and running 11.3 ET's @118 MPH 100% N/A, too strange to understand? Intake duration @.050" of the cam?... 210° on a 114° LSA.

And no..... I have not seen an original Boss 302, I worked on two 289 clevor setups moons ago. Guess which camshaft setup available then, provided the best performance AND driveability to everyone's surprise, myself included? IOW..... no, it is not a theory. It is something that has been proven empirically, and the OEM's are now using along with other technologies in their emissions/CAFE compliant SUV's and trucks..... not racing setups. Welcome to the new millennium.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

For Sale Ford 331 stroker engine for sale - with options!
  • TTSaleen
  • Jul 1, 2026
  • Engine and Power Adder
Replies
6
Views
162
Engine and Power Adder Jul 2, 2026
Noobz347
M
Engine 1988 Foxbody - Overheating Summer
  • MDrisc
  • Oct 26, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
10
Views
526
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Nov 28, 2025
Mustang5L5
6
Engine Prw rockers, trick flow cam, gt40 heads
  • 67fox
  • Apr 15, 2024
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
11
Views
2K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jan 15, 2025
hollywoodstang8
H
R
Progress Thread Heads/cam decision
  • RileyDymond
  • Oct 26, 2024
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
288
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Oct 27, 2024
rednotch
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
785
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk- Jun 20, 2026
gray owl
G
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang 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?