Picking a camshaft

Topic: Picking a camshaft (Read 1744 times) previous topic - next topic

Picking a camshaft

July 12, 2005, 05:44:00 PM

Picking a camshaft for my 302 rebuild is looking tricky. I haven't gotten any of the performance related parts yet so I figured this would be the time to decide on one. My 83 Tbird isn't going to be racing anywhere, I live in the city and I don't enjoy speeding tickets. So assuming my max speed in the city is going to be maybe 70 KPH I want a to build an engine with alot of torque so I can enjoy the acceleration. I already read somewhere you can favor torque by advancing the timing chain but there are dozens of camshafts I could choose and I could use some pointers. What should I look for? (I'm looking on Summit at the moment)

Re: Picking a camshaft

Reply #1 – July 12, 2005, 05:46:53 PM

you could get a truck/rv cam shaft just like the one you have now. I think that the mustangs must have lost alittle low end tourque. They dont feel quite as torquie at elast.

Re: Picking a camshaft

Reply #2 – July 12, 2005, 06:20:07 PM

The articles I read say the other engine parts should favor the camshaft. I had my eye on some 91 F150 heads and a 4 Barrel carburetor and manifold off an 83-85 Mustang. I hadn't selected particular pistons yet, is there anything I should be aware of in the interactions between those components?

Re: Picking a camshaft

Reply #3 – July 13, 2005, 01:05:48 AM

if you are not looking to smoke the tires, you should be fine with all stock h.o. peices. If you dont plan on going faster then 70 kph, then you would probably be safe to stay with stock bottom end and camshaft, with the spiffy heads and the manifold. The camshaft you have now is prolly torqueier then alot of aftermarket cams. If you are looking for torque, then get a truck or RV cam shaft. But it will be pretty much the same if not identical to the one that you have now. I would see if you could get stock later mustang pistons, maybe even with valve releifs. Also, you could have a pretty quick S.O. if you just do those parts. It will be as fast or faster off the line then a stock mustang with sticky tires. At least, I assume that it would.

Re: Picking a camshaft

Reply #4 – July 13, 2005, 01:57:26 AM

Well seeing how its a 83 then it should have a flat tapit cam in it and not a roller.
Speed pro has some cheap good flat tapit cams from 460 lift right up to 544 lift tapit cam.

Now as for picking a cam to go with what u have.
You need to know how much lift your Valve Springs can take if your going to use the stock ones. Knowing how much your heads flow helps. Will u be porting them a bit ?
Intake u want to use as well plays a part to this.

Now odds are u might go with something around 480 lift area with a somethink like a RPM intake and a 650 vac 2nd carb. That would wake up the motor and if u rebuilt the bottom end say 30 over with 9.5:1 compression u would have a nice little motor that would still drive very well and have some spooge to it as well.

But only u can say what way u will go.

Re: Picking a camshaft

Reply #5 – July 13, 2005, 06:41:08 PM

Another quick question...I wouldn't expect to re-use the original pistons but would it be worthwhile to re-use the rods? I just did up my price list and now coincidentally I'm looking for corners to cut.

Re: Picking a camshaft

Reply #6 – July 14, 2005, 02:32:05 AM

Well odds are u can reuse your crank and rods, I would change the pistons.
If the block dont need to be bored over and a hone will do fine then u could reuse your pistons and new rings and be set. But for the money i good set of Hypers or cast pistons will work well and u can bring the compression up a bit.

A Basic rebuild is regrind the crank 10/10 and resize the rods, New pistons, regind or new cam. Heads should be worked over with a basic valve grind and resurface.
New guides and seals.

This is a time when spending your money in the right places will help u later,
Cheaping out will bit u later.

Also go with a Hi Presure oil pump and a good timing chain

Re: Picking a camshaft

Reply #7 – July 14, 2005, 09:16:11 AM

A few block related questions...
1. As far as cleaning and honing the block is the shop the only practical way to go or is it something I could do competently myself?
2. For the Canadian members if you could give me an idea of what it costs to have the block cleaned, honed, and the crankshaft ground that would really help my planning.

Re: Picking a camshaft

Reply #8 – July 14, 2005, 05:35:20 PM

Well i'm in Toronto Ont.
U dont want to cheap out to much on the motor.

Re: Picking a camshaft

Reply #9 – July 14, 2005, 10:30:41 PM

I'm not going to cheap out completely. I'm just trying to work this so I can get it done before winter. I just got an engine rebuilding manual today and it's giving me a better understanding of what's involved. Chances are I will bring the engine to the shop for cleaning and inspection as well as whatever asorted prep. I'll just cross my fingers that the block is up to snuff and I won't have to hunt around for another one.

Re: Picking a camshaft

Reply #10 – July 15, 2005, 12:53:31 AM

Well a stock rebuild is around 1200 to 1400 around the GTA.
A good way to go if u want to keep things cheap is to find a roller 302 out of a stang or a mark7 and swap a carbed intake on and call it good.

Most 302s are going for 500 to 750 for a good runner.