[jtillery]

I have been doing some research on cam selection, and the conclusion I have drawn is it is a waste of time and money with stock heads and intake. It seems that is based because there is minimal power gains and in some cases power losses from going to a larger cam.

I have an 87 5.0 HO 5 speed LX Hatch. My current mods are (most are not installed, but will be this winter):

Mass air conversion - A9M computer stock MAF
BBK fender mount cold air intake
70mm throttle body and egr spacer
MAC underdrive pulleys
A/C delete
75-175hp wet nitrous (probably going to buy a dry kit and run 100-150)
BNM Racing window switch
Aftermarket shorty headers
BBK hi-flow cat h-pipe
Magnaflow catback exhaust

There is a decent chance I will be picking up a like new Edelbrock Performer intake today for $200.

My situation is I plan on doing heads and intake but it will most likely be next winter before I do (unless I find a real good deal). Right now I am focusing my time and money on the bodywork, interior and minor boltons.

I am considering doing a cam now because I love a lopey idle. From my research it looks like the E303 would probably be best for my application. I wouldn't be expecting any power gains, honestly I would be fine with a slight loss in horsepower/torque. If I do lose, will it be a few horsepower and small amount of torque, or could it be significant? Ideally I would like to use the same cam when I add heads and intake, but it wouldn't be a big deal if I couldn't.

The car will be a street car that is only taken out on nice days. It will also see a few passes at the drag strip per year.

If I go with the E303 is there anything else I would need besides valve springs? Is there any cams you would recommend over the E303?

Thanks

[stang94]

From what I hear ford letter cams are outdates.. if you do a cam search, you'll find alot of info here on them.

[1slo5.0]

The E303 would probably work ok with stock heads. I'd look into Comp Cams or TFS for a better grind though.

[jtillery]

Originally Posted by Darrell I'd look into Comp Cams or TFS for a better grind though.

Should I be looking for cams with similar specs to the E303? Or is there a particular area I should be looking to improve? I know I want something that will produce power from idle-5000rpms. but after that I don't know enough about it to select the right one. I am going to go to Summit Racing with my buddy that builds engines tomorrow (he is a Chevy guy though). Hopefully between the info I picked up here, his knowledge and any information from Summit, I can pick something decent.

[stang94]

Darrell can best this,
but I think you should get a cam when you get a set of heads to match, you will see more power out of it..

[1slo5.0]

Originally Posted by jtillery Originally Posted by Darrell I'd look into Comp Cams or TFS for a better grind though. Should I be looking for cams with similar specs to the E303? Or is there a particular area I should be looking to improve? I know I want something that will produce power from idle-5000rpms. but after that I don't know enough about it to select the right one. I am going to go to Summit Racing with my buddy that builds engines tomorrow (he is a Chevy guy though). Hopefully between the info I picked up here, his knowledge and any information from Summit, I can pick something decent.

A cam with 220 to 226 duration at .050 and around .500 lift will work good with stock heads. The TFS stage 1 cam or anything similar would be my choice for an off the shelf cam.

[89StangGT]

would you need any kind of tune after a Trick Flow Stage 1 cam on a mass air car?

[jtillery]

Originally Posted by Darrell A cam with 220 to 226 duration at .050 and around .500 lift will work good with stock heads. The TFS stage 1 cam or anything similar would be my choice for an off the shelf cam.

I found the cam you are talking about at Summit. The part number is TFS-51402000. It is $159. I will get that the TFS valve springs and the Summit cam change gasket kit. Is there anything else you would recommend ? (besides aftermarket heads and intake )

[95opal]

You should be alright with just a cam swap, when you start swaping injectors and MAF then the ecm starts to get finiky.

[stang94]

Hey darrell, the TFS stage 1 cam, also comes with the TFS Street Heat, would that be the best for that kit, I am looking for a little lope?

[95opal]

The TFS street heat HCI package was designed to work together. So yes That set up would be fine. IMHO

[1slo5.0]

Originally Posted by 89StangGT would you need any kind of tune after a Trick Flow Stage 1 cam on a mass air car?

No

[1slo5.0]

Originally Posted by jtillery I found the cam you are talking about at Summit. The part number is TFS-51402000. It is $159. I will get that the TFS valve springs and the Summit cam change gasket kit. Is there anything else you would recommend ? (besides aftermarket heads and intake )

Timing chain and gear set

[1slo5.0]

Originally Posted by stang94 Hey darrell, the TFS stage 1 cam, also comes with the TFS Street Heat, would that be the best for that kit, I am looking for a little lope?

That kit works well together. We have also used that combo with the stage 2 cam.

[Screemin3o2]

I haven't read any of the above replies, I just thought I would add (sorry if someone has already said it), The Ford Racing camshafts were very good in their day, but camshaft technology has passed them by. You can get a much better camshaft from comp, crane, or even trick flow.

[89StangGT]

yeah that was mentioned. the comp cam or Trick Flow Stage 1 cam would be a better choice for a stock head/intake motor.

[5-0stank]

maybe buy some new lifters w/ the cam, too

[89StangGT]

alot of cams come with new lifters.

[turbong]

Just some food for thought but i have an E303 cam in my car. I'm just now putting heads on it. The stock heads, valves, springs ect. all worked fine with that cam. But if i was to purchase a new one it would most likely be a TF! With that E303 i did lose a little hp/tq but it sounded great.

[mikebert]

The stock springs will work with a E303 cam, but you're right at their limit. If they were new. Considering how our beloved 5.0s usually fall into the "aged" catergory, you're really pushing your luck with old springs. Just switch them out and be happy and carefree.