Post up your 363 head/cam/intake setup - looking for idle quality!

[dynoseritis]

Looking to put together a 363, and my goal is: maximum power without sacrificing a good quality idle. I can tolerate something choppier than stock, but this will be a daily driver and I don't want to be annoyed with drive-ability issues and I don't want it to sound like a dragster. I'll be going EFI w/ MAF, intake manifold not decided yet, and rest of the motor something like this: https://www.shafiroff.com/ford-pump-gas-engine/363-ford-hhr-pump-gas-engine.php

Have already sought the advice of experts, who have subjective things to say like "you're gonna love the idle" or "it's not too bad"- then I'll pull some sound clips from youtube and, while they do vary, so far have all sounded like more than I want.

I have looked at cams such as the XFI248HR-14 and XE282HR (rec by Comp, given the same constraints stated here). I think I would be happy with the power of these, based on the simulations i'm doing in DynoSim6, but most of the examples on youtube sound over the top.

Anyone who has had success with a similar quest, or has their 363 h/c/i setup documented and can post up a sound clip and comments on drive-ability (vacuum etc), would much appreciate.

Thanks!

 

[Monkeybutt2000]

I wouldn't even mess around with an off the shelf cam. Go check out FTI ( Flowtech Inductions), Ed will make a custom cam that will meet your needs.

 

[TOOLOW91]

Brian Freezy is my go to on this . Ed at FTI Is very well liked and has results as well .
If you’re insterestee in using Brian shoot me a pm and I can get you in touch with him .

 

[dynoseritis]

Thanks for the discussion so far.

Anyone have experience with the XE274HR idle quality?

 

[7991LXnSHO]

If you want idle quality and vacuum with a big cam, take your pick of Rhodes lifters. They work as advertised at idle and low rpm, at least 10 deg off the duration, up to 10” more vacuum, and from midrange on up, full lift and duration.

 

[dynoseritis]

Interesting- was not aware of those. Very mixed reviews it seems- and I think the ticking noise would feel like a step backward and not the trade off I’m looking for. Keeping this in mind though, thanks.

 

[7991LXnSHO]

The ticking noise reports is old bs. My 2001 Ranger had louder stock lifters, and the direct gas injection pump on our new Kia is louder than any set of Rhodes lifters I have used.

 

[TheLeech405]

Thanks for the discussion so far.

Anyone have experience with the XE274HR idle quality?

The 274 cam can idle quite well, but that is IMO very small for a 363. Idle quality will come from a combination of camshaft selection and tuning. If either one of those is way off, you're not going to get what you're looking for. On the camshaft, I will echo the suggestions of others. You won't go wrong with a camshaft from Ed Curtis. Brian Friedentag is a great choice as well, and one where you can correspond with him a bit before making the cam selection.

As for the tuning strategy, what EFI system/carb setup are you planning to run, and who is handling the tuning?

 

[TOOLOW91]

This is my cam done by Freezy . I have a big bore 347 in my car .


View: https://youtu.be/9kD4JPDROVA

 

[dynoseritis]

This is my cam done by Freezy . I have a big bore 347 in my car .


View: https://youtu.be/9kD4JPDROVA

Hey that sounds quite good. Would you share more details about your setup? Is the idle a bit high?

 

[dynoseritis]

The 274 cam can idle quite well, but that is IMO very small for a 363. Idle quality will come from a combination of camshaft selection and tuning. If either one of those is way off, you're not going to get what you're looking for. On the camshaft, I will echo the suggestions of others. You won't go wrong with a camshaft from Ed Curtis. Brian Friedentag is a great choice as well, and one where you can correspond with him a bit before making the cam selection.

As for the tuning strategy, what EFI system/carb setup are you planning to run, and who is handling the tuning?

Can you explain more about why you believe the 274 is very small for a 363? It's a touch low on lift for the AFR195's, but other than that- what makes it small? Do you have a counter recommendation?

 

[TOOLOW91]

Hey that sounds quite good. Would you share more details about your setup? Is the idle a bit high?

Big bore 347 (4.155 bore now ) 3.250 stroke . TFS 20511r head , ported holley systemax , custom cam , Vortech YSI , FB aod .

it idles around 990-1000 with the auto it drops to 970-990 in gear .
It made 728 to the tire like this pump / meth injection . I changed some stuff and haven’t been back yet

 

[a91what]

I run a smallish cam in my 393TT build.

all numbers given are at 50
224i
236e
59x lift
114* LSA and 110* lobe center

again small for a 393cid engine but right for the build, turbos don't need aggressive cams to make power

Idles at 16inhg at 700rpm in park and 650rpm in gear

 

[dynoseritis]

I run a smallish cam in my 393TT build.

all numbers given are at 50
224i
236e
59x lift
114* LSA and 110* lobe center

again small for a 393cid engine but right for the build, turbos don't need aggressive cams to make power

Idles at 16inhg at 700rpm in park and 650rpm in gear

That's good to know, thanks. Happen to have any videos of it idling?

 

[dynoseritis]

For those interested, I'm having some fun designing my own camshaft. Here's what I've got so far. In simulation at least, does about as well as some common comp cams and should idle much better (if I understand what determines idle quality correctly).