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

What's The Right Cam???

  • Thread starter Thread starter 91 quarter horse
  • Start date Start date May 16, 2013

91 quarter horse

Member
Nov 21, 2012
31
0
7
Wisconsin
May 16, 2013
#1
  • May 16, 2013
  • #1
I have a 91 Lx with a 5.0 and recent upgrades have been unported gt40 heads,typhoon upper/lower intake with 75mm throttle body and 76 mm c&l maf with matching tube. For exhaust I have bbk shorty headers bassani off road x pipe and full bassani "catback" and 3.73 gears. I have heard that a cam with my setup might not make to big of a difference and just to keep my stock cam, I've also heard great things about crane cams 2031 cam and not good things about "alphabet" cams.i want to squeeze as many ponies as I can out of it with out having to pull heads off and port them, someday I want aluminum heads and a turbo but this is what I have to work with. Any input on cam and what valve train?
 

88LX5.Oh

15 Year Member
Dec 30, 2011
1,442
204
94
Arkansas
May 16, 2013
#2
  • May 16, 2013
  • #2
If I were you, I would just put 1.7 roller rockers and run the stock cam. That'll bring your lift up even more than what it's at now and you'll get a nice little bump in power. Also, you'll need to get different valve springs for the GT40 heads if they came off an Explorer/Mountaineer. Those engines weren't ever intended to spin the RPM's our Mustangs do so the stock junk valve springs have to go unless you like valve float.
 
Reactions: 91 quarter horse

91 quarter horse

Member
Nov 21, 2012
31
0
7
Wisconsin
May 16, 2013
#3
  • May 16, 2013
  • #3
I've never even thought about doing that, that would be a heck of a lot cheaper than doing cam too. As far as valve springs they are stock, I was going to change them when I had the heads rebuilt but money was tight.
 
R

reldla1996

Member
May 4, 2011
356
22
19
Dayton, Ohio
May 16, 2013
#4
  • May 16, 2013
  • #4
I ran the Crane 2031 cam with the 1.7 Crane Cobra roller rockers for many years with a 306 and trick flow TW heads. It was a really nice combo; ran high 12's, low 13's on street tires leaving the line just above idle, and still got 20 mpg around town. I agree with the valve spring comment....
 

91 quarter horse

Member
Nov 21, 2012
31
0
7
Wisconsin
May 16, 2013
#5
  • May 16, 2013
  • #5
This is my first pushrod car, I've owned 4 cobras so this stuff is all new to me, do you guys have any suggestions on what to get?
 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician
Aug 27, 2012
11,606
8,859
214
In the garage
May 16, 2013
#6
  • May 16, 2013
  • #6
Either way you are going to need better springs. Summit sells the TFS upgrade springs for about $150, which I have on my explorer heads. There is nothing really bad about the stock cam and 1.7's. It will give you some decent lift but maintain good driveability for less money than a new cam install. A new set of RR may set you back 2-3 hundred or so. I see used ones all day long for 100-200.

You can do the spring install with the heads on the car- buy the air chuck attachment that screws into the spark plug hole with both valves closed and rent or buy the valve spring compressor tool to swap out the springs and retainers. Might as well replace the valve seals while your at it.

Back in the day when I was a kid we used to take an old rope and stuff it in the spark plug hole to keep the valves from dropping...lol dont laugh it worked but I wouldnt advise that method now.
 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician
Aug 8, 2003
8,016
1,613
194
NJ
May 16, 2013
#7
  • May 16, 2013
  • #7
I ran the 2031 on stock heads, it floated valves, badly.

Just leave it be for now, without heads cams just aren't worth the time or money.
 

a91what

SendMeUrDataLog
10 Year Member
Apr 6, 2011
10,739
6,720
214
Hillsborough county
May 16, 2013
#8
  • May 16, 2013
  • #8
I put a alphabet cam in my car e cam. To be honest it runs great makes power but could have gotten a lot more with a better cam choice. I have stock springs on stock heads and I float badly around 5k and up... Go with springs either way.
 

clement

Founding Member
Feb 27, 2001
1,106
52
59
Oak Cliff
May 17, 2013
#9
  • May 17, 2013
  • #9
all the fast naturally aspirated cars run stock cams with 1.7 rockers.......



or not. if the right cam doesn't pick one up you have other issues. those who say larger than stock cams don't help should also subscribe to the hypothesis that aftermarket heads don't do anything either because increasing lobe area has the same effect as increasing port cross section.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Engine Suggestions on an engine rebuild. Stock cam/GT40Ps or aftermarket on both for a fun weekend driver?
  • MadSquirrelTech
  • Apr 28, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
23
Views
704
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 7, 2026
MadSquirrelTech
Engine Heads and how to buy
  • Dontknowchit
  • Aug 16, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
28
Views
2K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Aug 24, 2025
Noobz347
Custom tune?
  • Nostang25
  • Jul 13, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
20
Views
587
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jul 17, 2025
FastDriver
A
Discussion on mild budget build/ top end
  • Acesario
  • Feb 21, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
20
Views
696
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Feb 23, 2026
General karthief
T
First Car, what should I do for power??
  • tunedV6
  • Apr 13, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
7
Views
227
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- May 4, 2026
580HP*428Cj
5
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?