Proper Cam for rebuild?

[90ramair]

So i've got a 1990 stang GT 5 speed with stock 2.73 gears, BBK headers, Hpipe, flowmasters, and true ramair. Im going to do a basic rebuild, hopefully just hone it out, put new rings in it, and bearings...ect.. I then plan on porting the heads and getting the valves done, and buying a GT40 intake, throtle body, and massair, I want to keep it emissions legal. Im not planning on raising the rev limitor so i want good power from 1000 - 6500rpm.
What type of cam would work with this combo?
Also, will i need to upgrade the fuel system?...ie...injectors, fuel pump, computer, or will a custom chip work?
Am i leaving anything else out?
Any info/advice would help Thanks!
:shifter:

[Want Notch]

I think the most popular cam for a stock motor is a F-303 or a E-303 cam from FMS. If I remember right the f-303 is emissions legal. I think your injectors would be alright but an upgrade to 24/hr units might not be a bad idea.

[Nick 1]

Motorsport E cam would work. A 190lph in tank pump would be a good idea.

24 pound injectors, a 3.73 or 4.10 rear end gear & a Dyno Tune.

A set of roller rockers would also help.


Nick 1

[Want Notch]

Forgot about the roller rockers. They'll help your car not falling flat on it's face at 5300rpm.

[quietflow]

E cam and some RR would be good, I am not sure if you would require any more fuel, youre combo isnt crazy, but I guess the 190lph and set of 24s would leave room for growth in the future. I dont have any chip or pms and my car runs fine, I am sure it could be better, but for right now its just great.

[90ramair]

Thanks guys!
So is E-303 cam emisions legal, and whats the power/Idel difference between that and the F-303?

As for the rockers...i think the stock are 1.6, should i stay with 1.6 or go with 1.7? What would the difference be?

What is the stock cam for a 90 5.0 HO?

RR not sure what you mean?

I was thinking about the gears, probably wont happen rightaway, but i was thinking about just going to 3.55s although its not a daily driver, I would still like to take some long Hwy trips with it. Would I have the right power for the lower gears? and what makes the 3.73s better than the 3.55s with my combo...if they are better?

[DirtyMax]

Here's the cam specs:

E303 - Duration 282/282, Lift .498/.498
F303 - Duration 288/288, Lift .512/.512
Stock Cam -
85-88 - 266/266 int/exh, Lift .444/.444
89-95 - 276/266 int/exh, Lift .444/.444

Keep in mind, I'm no expert by any means, but these numbers look like the F cam is a little bit bigger, meaning a little lumpier idle, but will there be a noticeable difference between the 2... probably not. As far as power gains.. I don't think you'll notice too much "seat of the pants" difference between the two.

There is a Stage 1 Trick flow cam that falls pretty much right in between the E and F cams (Duration 275/279, Lift .499/.510). It's generally about $30 cheaper than the FMS cams too... just more food for thought if you're on a budget.

RR is the roller rockers

The 1.6 RR's will keep the advertised lift in tact with the stock rockers, but the roller tip rockers are smoother and a little more efficient. The 1.72 RR's will basically add more to the lift # on the cam.

From experience in reading, the T5 fox cars seems to really wake up to 3.55's. Alot of the AOD guys benefit from the 3.73 and 4.10. I'd steer clear of them in a 5 speed car unless you enjoy buying tires :burnout:

I hope this gets you started. I'm sure some others will chime in, as there are people on this site who have already forgotten more than I'll ever know...

[upngo50]

F cam runs better in the automatics. If you run 1.7 rollers you can bump the lift on the E cam to .529. Running 1.7 rollers on a stock cam brings your lift to .477. If you plan on putting some valve work into your heads and upgrading intakes you will want more lift than that though. Stock E7 heads are only good for .500 in worth of lift. Anything over that is somewhat of a waste, but not so much for a person to worry about. The TF stage one cam is a great cam. Split dir/lift cams can be a plus in some cases. To me that is the best choice, stage 1 cam that is, to run without 1.7 rollers. Use 1.6 rollers to meet the max lift of the heads. Do some pocket porting on your heads while they are off and you can stretch the lift a tit over .500 and put your car easy into the low 13's if you can hook up.

4wduty pretty much filled in the gear choices......5 speeds run best with 3.55 if it is a everyday driver, 3.73 if it sees more track duty than street. Aod cars run great with 3.73's or 4.10's, but there again 4.10 run higher RPMs on the hyw. Never had an AOD car so I don't speak from experience on that one, just the 5 speed.

[Eddie Haskell]

I've got a cam for sale in Parts and peices (http://www.midwestmustangassociation.com/vb3/showthread.php?t=1678), it's brand new but may have more lift than your looking for, maybe others could tell you. I'm not an expert in any way shape or form when it comes to Camshafts
Duartion @.050 224/232 Lift .542/.563

[Kool Rock Steady]

I would get a anderson cam. or tfs stage 1. tfs stage 1 is like e cam in lift and duration but makes more power and it's emissions legal

[quietflow]

I run a TFS Stage 1 cam in my car, I had a E303 in my previous car and like the TFS better. Like previously stated it favors the exhaust so I liked it because I have a blower in my future:)I also have 3:73 gears in my car, but like the way the car drives with 3:55s better.

[Nick 1]

Gears are the best bang for your buck in a Mustang !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It makes your car come to life even if it's stock !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That said, 3.73's are the way to go with a 5spd. 4.10's with an all motor car

with best Et in mind. My bolt-on 5spd 3.73 car went low 13's last year.

My underdrive pullied & 4.10 geared coupe went mid 13's with the factory rims

@ all 4 courners. With a trans swap (built AOD) & 1.7 rr's it ran 12.90's @ GLD.

Underdrive pulleys are your 2nd most bang for your buck.


Nick 1


ps: MPG difference between 3.55's & 3.73's is very little.
The coupe was 100% stock longblock with a 123,000 miles :D

[90ramair]

Once again, Thanks guys! this is all very useful... Ill let you all know what i decied.
:rockon: :shifter:

[90ramair]

Well i am going to do the rebuild very soon, probably right after FFday. The gears will be done but like i said not right away. as for which gear, I will probably go with the 3.55. Although i would like to get the best possible et with my car and i know the 4.10s would do that, i need everyday drivability/milage and as i said i will be taking it on some longer trips, and dont want the high rpms at crusing speed. I have not gotten into taking it to the drag strip, and dont think It would be something I'd do more than a couple times a year. So the 4.10s would probably be too much.
Thank you for your advice.