Help with my 5.0 combo !!

[damannhw]

I'm putting a 1999 Explorer 5.0 in my '65 Mustang. I plan on installing AFR165's with pedestal mount 1.7 Crane rockers and a Edlebrock performer intake w/ Edelbrock 600 carb(1405) and using my current C4 tranny.

The trouble I'm having is choosing the cam. I do not want to have to fly cut the pistons and I want a nice streetable cam with a slight lope ! I have run E303's in the past and liked them. Any suggestions ? What do you guys have that you like ? Thanks

 

[Shakin66]

I am running that same year 5.0 myself although I have stroked it to 347. I am using an Anderson "Blower" cam with 1.7 rockers on iron GT40s. I did call Ford racing's tech line just to make certain their would be no clearance issues. If you need that number I can post it tomorrow.

 

[347Fastback]

Try the trickflow stage 1. You can get it from Summit Racing for about $139.00. This camshaft has better characteristics than the "E"

 

[damannhw]

Shakin66, I have that # and may call them tomorrow ! Thanks

347 Fastback, What characteristics do you like better ? My goal is a nice lopey sound, but I want relly good driveability.

I talked to Edelbrocks tech line today and was very impressed. Best support I've ever gotten actually. I'm now leaning toward their Performer heads with their intake and carb, and they have a cam that matches the combo ! Anyone have this set-up ?

 

[taylor4g63]

If you choose edelbrock go with the RPM setup. The plain performer line isn't worth the money IMO. I believe there is a version of the RPM's that offer 1.9/1.6 sized valves that shouldn't have clearance issues with the matching RPM cam.

 

[65up2d8]

If you choose edelbrock go with the RPM setup. The plain performer line isn't worth the money IMO. I believe there is a version of the RPM's that offer 1.9/1.6 sized valves that shouldn't have clearance issues with the matching RPM cam.

Whatever you choose, don't limit youself with that Performer intake. As it has been said many times on this forum, that is essentially a bone stock Ford intake take-off. It will not flow enough to support your current or any future upgrades. Go with a Weiand Stealth or an Eldebrock RPM (Air Gap or standard with your build). The Performer intake would be your weakest link, especially if you decide to go further in the future.

 

[Rusty67]

Edelbrock carb ? No way. If yer running an automatic then do yerself a favor and go get a Holley Street Avenger.

 

[damannhw]

OK, as I understand it, Performer and Performer RPM heads are the same, just the Performers accept bolt on rockers and have EGR, and RPM's are stud mount with no EGR. Both have 1.9/1.6 valves. Correct ?

I actually meant the Performer RPM ! The Performer RPM intake says the range is idle to 5500, the Air Gap says 1500-6500. I just figured with an automatic I would want the off idle performance ?

I have had Demons, Holleys, and worked on friends Edelbrocks. I just prefer the driveability and ease of operation on the Edelbrock. This is not a race car, I just want a great running cruiser to hit the road with. It will probably never see a track. That's what I buy late model 5.0's for !!

 

[Rusty67]

Have you tried using the new Street Avenger series of carbs ? They are suppose to be the best carb for an automatic trans on the market. I'd recomend the RPM Airgap. I used it with my C4 auto and I had no problems what so ever.

 

[damannhw]

Rusty67. I'll take a look at those Avenger carbs !

The more I read, the more I think I'll stick with AFR165's. The Air Gap and Stealth intakes advertise ranges of 1500-6000. Do these intakes feel sluggish at all off idle ? Still leaning with an E cam or similar.

 

[5.0ina66]

AFR165s and a Stealth/RPM is the ticket, with either a F303 or TFS #1 cam. The E303 is a screaming POS, IMHO; the TFS is $20 cheaper and makes more power The F303 is OK, but I still like the TFS better, as it usually makes a bit more lowend than the F, and is cheaper

The PerfRPM & Stealth intakes DO NOT feel sluggish at the bottom end, and there is a ~3ft/lb loss at very low RPMs according to all the dyno sheets I've seen
HTH
--Kyle
PS: If you decide you don't want your Edelbrock carb or intake, I'm interested!

 

[damannhw]

5.0ina66, I haven't bought anything yet !! Just getting some input before I drop any dough. Alot of you like that TFS stage 1 ! I need to look up some specs on it. They (Ford Racing), say the F303 does not work well with automatics ?

 

[69Rcode_Mach1]

I would recommend a Weiand Xcelerator on a 302. It is by far one of the best intakes for that engine. It does not sacrifice much if any torque down low and really brings out the horsepower up top, and will match the AFR's very well. Single plane is the way to go when it comes to intakes. If you really wanted a dual plane then I recommend going with a Stealth. You can't beat the Xcelerator, it is a good mild single plane that will net you better power with those heads.

 

[steel1212]

I would suggest the XE274HR as that is the cam I've been drooling over lately. I'm going to switch to that cam when I switch to AFRs or RPMs in the future. Right now I have the 280H which has 230/230 duration and .512/.512 lift and it has some noticable lope at idle. I know Mach1 loves his single planes but I've had no problems from my duel plane air gap.

 

[D.Hearne]

Two suggestions here: One is take a look at Ford's A321 intake. Yea, it's an old design, but works just as well as the RPM intake. Great street intake. Two: watch those stock rods in an Explorer motor. Ford did a redesign on the 5.0 rods in the early 90's ( F1TE rod vs the older C8OE rod) I've seen at least two now that broke rods in stock applications. Don't build you motor for more rpms than those rods will handle. In my opinion, 6,000 should be max for them.

 

[Rusty67]

Rusty67. I'll take a look at those Avenger carbs !

The more I read, the more I think I'll stick with AFR165's. The Air Gap and Stealth intakes advertise ranges of 1500-6000. Do these intakes feel sluggish at all off idle ? Still leaning with an E cam or similar.

The AFR165 heads are GREAT heads. Provably the best on the market. Gim Grubs himself helped AFR design those heads. It was also Mr. Grubs who told me to never use a Ford Motorsport cam with those heads. The reason being is that the Motorsport cams are a dual patern roller cam. What he told me is that the AFR heads flow exhaust so well that a dual patern came doesn't work as well with those heads as a single patern cam. As far as what you are doing, I'd look for a single patern cam with specs close to the E303 motorsport cam. Unless you have a built AOD and you really wana tear the streets down, then look for one with specs closer to the F303.

My stock motor with the RPM AirGap manifold was everything but sluggish off idle. Believe me, that intake is GREAT. The only reason my car has ever been sluggish was that POS Edlebrock 500 CFM carb I had on it when I got it. The thing would stumble and gag if I whomped on it, it even stalled on me a few times.

 

[D.Hearne]

Ok, tell us, WHICH one of the Ford Motorsport hydro rollers are dual patterned? Must be the one that's not listed in the catalog The B, E, F, X and Z are all single patterned.

 

[69Rcode_Mach1]

Have you considered a custom grind cam? If you go over to the 5.0 section you will see what I am talking about. Everybody there has had great experiences with a custom grind, that is what I am doing. Don't get me wrong Steel1212 I am not bashing dual plane intakes at all. I had a RPM airgap on my combo before when it was milder. That is an awesome intake, but after researching some more I realized single plane was the way to go. I also helped a kid do that on his 67 and the Weiand Xcelerator was awesome. It is a nice mild single plane doesn't sacrifice low end, and does not hinder throttle response.

 

[57fairlane]

It was also Mr. Grubs who told me to never use a Ford Motorsport cam with those heads. The reason being is that the Motorsport cams are a dual patern roller cam. What he told me is that the AFR heads flow exhaust so well that a dual patern came doesn't work as well with those heads as a single patern cam. As far as what you are doing, I'd look for a single patern cam with specs close to the E303 motorsport cam. Unless you have a built AOD and you really wana tear the streets down, then look for one with specs closer to the F303.

We could pick this apart . . . but we'll save it.
Single pattern has nothing to do with it. More often than not, a well setup dual-pattern will make more power over the entire RPM range simply because you have to have some EXTREMELY good heads to even consider moving gas that efficiently, especially at low lift/low RPM. Here's news: the letter cams are only good because you can pick up used ones for under $100. That's about it. Yes, on the rare occasion the f-cam has seen mid 7 1/8 miles n/a in a 306 and yes I have seen an n/a 302 with an E-cam go 7.70s but are these motors making their full potential? Not even close. Mostly it has to do with being in a gutted foxbody and having some very worked over heads on them.

I personally would go with the old wolverine grind that is now Speed Pro #CS195R
It is 212/222 @ .050 on a 112 with .493 intake lift and .510 exhaust.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SB-3...ryZ33614QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

This guy usually has them in stock.
This cam has consistently proven itself to go faster in every car that I have seen someone change it out from an E or a B cam.

 

[Rusty67]

57fairlane, please pick it apart =) I may have missunderstood what Jim told me. I've got a lot of respect for him and if I missunderstood what he said and I'm giving out wrong info then I'm doing everyone a dis-service. PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong.