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Topic: ho cam swap (Read 6225 times) previous topic - next topic

ho cam swap

can you swap aho cam into the 88 so motor and convert to maf without swapping heads

ho cam swap

Reply #1 –
Yes, but you don't need Mass Air for an H.O cam. You DO need the correct computer and 19lb injectors, though. There's no reason to do Mass Air with an H.O cam swap. You'd be doing a lot of work and spending more than necessary. Just get a Speed zdensity ECM (I have always been told the DA=1 is best). I see them for $50. Sometimes a little less.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

ho cam swap

Reply #2 –
i plan on doing heads also i alrady have some minor mods on the car cobra intake exploder tb headers and flowmaster 40s i want the mass air so i feel like its esier to do cam and maf first so i dont have to do the computer twice

ho cam swap

Reply #3 –
I'd stick with speed density unless you're going to an aftermarket cam or something better than Gt40 heads....you CAN swap to mass air, but at this point, it won't gain any power, and in fact, you'll lose a little "go" at idle.

What heads are you wanting?


Vinnie is right, too. with an HO cam, you'll need the 19's and an EEC to run the show. DA1 is about tops for a speed density motor, and if you do swap to mass air, then A9L if you're manual, or A9P for an AOD car.

I put my combo together using an '89 Mustang 5.0, I stabbed in an E cam, plopped GT40P heads with trick flow springs, Cobra intake, 65mm TB, and BBK headers. I could up the injectors to 24's with a matching mass meter and probably be very close to 300 horses, the engine is together, I'm just doing a little work to the car before I put it in.

I've put some new stuff in the engine too, oil pump, timing set, new mounts, water pump, etc.

Even for a budget build, I'm already into it for close to 1200 bucks. I should've just took the ed block in, had it tanked and bored, and started it off as a 306 and some new pistons. Next time...
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

ho cam swap

Reply #4 –
yeah im very budget oriented id loike gt40 heads i thought the stock ho cam is big as i can go with my bottom end since i dont want to work it its only got  80k miles on it i thought the maf would wokr better with the ho cam and gt40's plus the other stuff ive done ? i have the injectors looking for eec now and can get an ho cam for 50 shipped uness i can find one from someone heremost of you guys know better than me

ho cam swap

Reply #5 –
also is my motor a roller lifter so if i do swap cams can i reuse the lifters?

ho cam swap

Reply #6 –
its an 88 tbird lx with so 5.0

ho cam swap

Reply #7 –
Yes, it's a roller block. Inspect the lifters for wear, if there's no marks or scratches or the like, they're likely ok to reuse with the HO cam. I reused my lifters from the '89 block with my E cam.
And if you need an HO cam, I've got a couple...
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

ho cam swap

Reply #8 –
how much shipped ?

ho cam swap

Reply #9 –
45 to your door sir
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

ho cam swap

Reply #10 –
Adding a set of 1.7 RR's to that cam will help as well.
84 COUGAR/90 HO, 1.7RRs, performer RPM,700DP, equal length shorties, stainless EXH ,T-5,Hurst pro-billet, KC clutch, 8.8/ 4.10s, line-lok, bla ,bla, bla.
71 COMET/289,351w heads, 12.5 TRWs, 750DP, Liberty TL, 9"/6.00s, 11.9x @112 , bla,bla,bla.

Never shoot your mouth off, unless your brain is loaded! ....I may get older, but I'll never grow up!....If you're not laughing, you're not living!  :laughing:

ho cam swap

Reply #11 –
so what would the longer roller rockers do as far as performance ? and if i put gt40 with an ho cam and 1.7 would they fit on an so ?

ho cam swap

Reply #12 –
HO cam and 1.7 rockers *ought* to fit, but I'd err on the cautious side and putty the pistons first to be sure. Alternatively, a set of used stock bore HO pistons would give you what you'd need, or you could have your existing pistons flycut. A few guys ehre have done that themselves and had no issues.


Plus it opens the door for easier head/cam swaps later, should you want to upgrade. (you know you will LOL).
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

ho cam swap

Reply #13 –
i dont want to do anything to the botome end

ho cam swap

Reply #14 –
If you are keeping the bottom end stock, H.O upgrade, stick with Speed Density, leave the MAF idea on the table. That'll give you good power, cost effective, and very easy.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..