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

Vacuum Test

  • Thread starter Thread starter 88-GT
  • Start date Start date Jun 13, 2005

88-GT

Member
Oct 8, 2004
183
2
18
Jun 13, 2005
#1
  • Jun 13, 2005
  • #1
Well I've been having suspicions of an aftermarket cam in my car so I decided I would try a vacuum test today. Vacuum showed rock steady 15 "hg at around 800-850 rmp idle. Hissin had told me to look for about 20 so would this be enough to show a cam? Not looking for anything huge but it does seem to have a lope. Thnx for any help.
 

silverstripes

Member
Apr 25, 2005
81
1
8
monroe, LA
Jun 13, 2005
#2
  • Jun 13, 2005
  • #2
The lower the reading the more the cam generally.
In some forms of racing such as dirt track they allow a certain amount of vacuum loss from a cam. For instance they will set the rpm at 1000 and the engine will have to pull at least 14'' Hg or higher to pass inspection. This will generally pic out the guys running too much cam than is allowed for the class.

At 1000 rpm if the 5.0 is fairly good shape it should pull 18-20 with the stock cam and the less the vacuum the more the cam.

*This is just an overall estimate for 5.0 engines so please no critisizm on above remarks, some really like to nitpick these replys.*
 

silverstripes

Member
Apr 25, 2005
81
1
8
monroe, LA
Jun 13, 2005
#3
  • Jun 13, 2005
  • #3
Oh yeah in my opinion this would most likely indicate a stock cam.
Just my thoughts.
 

88-GT

Member
Oct 8, 2004
183
2
18
Jun 13, 2005
#4
  • Jun 13, 2005
  • #4
Yea I was kinda more looking for whether this was a big enough margin from 18-20 to 15 to rule in that the cam is not stock. It will determine the mods that I will do so it is kinda important. Would rather find out this way then pull a valve cover and and check it off the lifter.
 

88-GT

Member
Oct 8, 2004
183
2
18
Jun 13, 2005
#5
  • Jun 13, 2005
  • #5
Bump
 
S

Sicarius428

Active Member
Jan 6, 2004
2,085
5
49
Jun 13, 2005
#6
  • Jun 13, 2005
  • #6
I pull about 15Hg at idle with my e-cam. Bottom end has 135k on it.
Kevin
 

89MustangGX

I have nothing productive to add!
Jul 3, 2001
10,262
1
0
Mill Creek, WA
Jun 13, 2005
#7
  • Jun 13, 2005
  • #7
Would you build a combo based on a "mystery" cam anyway? Assume that it's stock and setup your combo the way you want it.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
Jun 14, 2005
#8
  • Jun 14, 2005
  • #8
FWIW, my 88 GT (SD) pulls 19.5" hg at 700 RPM.

You could just have a slight vac leak.

I doubt you would want to waver too far with regard to the vac characteristics of a cam or build-up, if you are still SD (we must have chatted awhile back, because this is not ringing a bell with me - but I am very tired right now [and get a few PM's from folks so my short term 'cache' can lapse]).

I would really look hard for a leak myself, before making further assumptions.

Good luck with it.
 

NosPony

New Member
Apr 2, 2004
278
0
0
Canton, Il
Jun 14, 2005
#9
  • Jun 14, 2005
  • #9
My coupe pulls about 11-12 hg. I have a victor jr intake and x303 cam.
 
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