E303 Cam

T

TRIBUNAL

Active Member
Jun 12, 2005
103
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#1
Hey I am thinking of getting an E303 Cam for my Explorer engine, gt40p heads because the engine is out and it would be easiest to get it done now.
I am upgrading the springs and getting a valve job done.
Is it necessary to upgrade the stock rockers now?
Will I damage anything using them for the time being?
I know 1.7's would be best but I can't afford it at the moment.
Thoughts?
 

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#2
TRIBUNAL said:
Hey I am thinking of getting an E303 Cam for my Explorer engine, gt40p heads because the engine is out and it would be easiest to get it done now.
I am upgrading the springs and getting a valve job done.
Is it necessary to upgrade the stock rockers now?
Will I damage anything using them for the time being?
I know 1.7's would be best but I can't afford it at the moment.
Thoughts?
Click to expand...
No problem, stock rocker on! Learn to degree a cam and check piston to valve clearances, I guarantee it will be handy later when you start going bigger better faster more, it's a sickness.
 
#6
I looked for a used TFS1 but couldn't find any and saw Craigslist had more then one E303 for about $80-$100. I don't see any anderson 41's t all used. I thought because the specs were really close to the E303 it would be almost as good.
After reading this and searching I did just spot a TFS1 cam and going to try to get it at a reasonable price, we'll see.

So you really don't recommend the E303, if I get it that cheap?
 
#8
Stock cam is fun and drives nice. I honestly miss it sometimes. If you know what your end combo will be use the stocker and save for custom grind. I wish I had done that
 
#9
You're referring to the stock mustang cam right? Because I was reading somewhere that the stock explorer cam sucks.

Well I'll see if I can get the TFS1 cheap if not I'll find a stock cam. Its actually hard to find, I was looking originally and found most people throw them away when they upgrade.
 
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#10
Ever wonder why there are so many E303 cams for sale and not many TFS or Anderson ones? That should say something there.

Don't buy a use cam. It is the most important part to put in a motor. You have no clue if the lobes are true and correct, if it is cracked, or how many miles on it. Hell, I've seen brand new cams out of the box that had mismatched lobes- especially on almost every alphabet cam. Bring a lunch for a week or two and buy a new one. Do it right the first time and you will be happy with the results.

That being said, what spring kit are you going to use? I recommend the TFS kit or Alex's.

How many miles on the lifters? You dont want to reuse stock hi mile lifters with an aftermarket cam, as they will either not pump up and tick or worse break.. I'd look at crane replacements as the Ford ones have been iffy.
 
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#11
TRIBUNAL said:
You're referring to the stock mustang cam right? Because I was reading somewhere that the stock explorer cam sucks.

Well I'll see if I can get the TFS1 cheap if not I'll find a stock cam. Its actually hard to find, I was looking originally and found most people throw them away when they upgrade.
Click to expand...

Yes, maybe I should have actually read the post. My bad.
 
#14
The engine had 117k miles
It's carbed with a Holley 600 and Holley performer intake.
The stock lifters had a lot of carbon on them, I have been in the process of soaking each one overnight in chem dip and its been working real well so far, keeping each one in the original position.

For the springs I was going to go with these: http://www.alexsparts.com/valve-spring-kit-gt40-mid-lift-cams-high-output-drop-in-up-to-540-lift/
I don't want the shop to have to do any machining and these seem to be highly recommended.

After reading all this, I wish I could find a new stock cam lol... I hate to keep the one that's in there for the time being.. then again maybe I'll get a used stock mustang cam and replace this one, they're both used so the risk is the same and if I was to drop $300 on a good cam then I guess I need to consider lifters too now which is another $113, so the price just keeps rising. I can do it down the road i guess. hmmmm

Hey thanks for the free advice even if it's bad news I appreciate it, looks like I woulda wasted a lot of time+money other wise.

oh and I'm not looking to go too high in the RPM's, normal stock range limit, I don't want to break anything, not looking to bring it to the drag strip more then once or twice. I just like to go through the gears on the street and know the power is there when I want to get on it.
 
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#15
There are a few other used options. There are some comp cam and lunati profiles that are out there(comp 264/270 HR for example). The E and B cams "work" without clearance issues etc. but they are dated and have some issues with idle and lowend response. As mike and the others stated above it's rather important to properly match the cam. Don't skimp on your valvetrain components including lifters. You don't want to have a failure and have to tear back into the motor or worse. Save 500$ and get all of the right parts...it will run better and have less chance of failure. Best of luck.
 
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#16
TRIBUNAL said:
The engine had 117k miles
It's carbed with a Holley 600 and Holley performer intake.
The stock lifters had a lot of carbon on them, I have been in the process of soaking each one overnight in chem dip and its been working real well so far, keeping each one in the original position.

For the springs I was going to go with these: http://www.alexsparts.com/valve-spring-kit-gt40-mid-lift-cams-high-output-drop-in-up-to-540-lift/
I don't want the shop to have to do any machining and these seem to be highly recommended.

After reading all this, I wish I could find a new stock cam lol... I hate to keep the one that's in there for the time being.. then again maybe I'll get a used stock mustang cam and replace this one, they're both used so the risk is the same and if I was to drop $300 on a good cam then I guess I need to consider lifters too now which is another $113, so the price just keeps rising. I can do it down the road i guess. hmmmm

Hey thanks for the free advice even if it's bad news I appreciate it, looks like I woulda wasted a lot of time+money other wise.

oh and I'm not looking to go too high in the RPM's, normal stock range limit, I don't want to break anything, not looking to bring it to the drag strip more then once or twice. I just like to go through the gears on the street and know the power is there when I want to get on it.
Click to expand...


For stock RPM range, if you have the money to do it, I'll look for the Comp XE258hr cam if you have an automatic transmission (shifts at 4700-4900 rpm stock at WOT). The power range is 1300-5300 rpms. It is called "stock cam on steroids". .533 lift on the intake side and .544 lift on the exhaust side. If you shift a higher rpm than that, then I suggest the comp XE264hr cam. Or, if your on a budget, look for a stock 5.0 HO cam (85'-88' if possible aka E5ZE cam) and install a set of 1.7 rockers as mentioned above.
 
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#19
Good advice on cams, I put a f cam and then an e and then went to stock. Happier for street use, with air conditioning, crusing at low speeds much happier. Guys are get'n good hp numbers with blowers and turbos using stock cams. 'Alphabet' cams were the first performance ford pieces, I think the 93 cobras had them, lots of technology since 93. Someone will correct me if I am wrong.
 
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