camshaft and head selection

[Kingspeedy2]

I have decided the block I have is in fact a roller lifter late model the 302 (see my block id help post) stroked to 331 so know I would like your input on cam selection and aluminum cylinder heads .

So far I have a Scat 331 stroker kit which should run 10.4 compression with a 60 CC head

I am building a purely street car and would like
1) A decent lumpy Muscle car idle that has good drive ability with good bottom end torque
2) Heads that are roller lifter and roller rocker compatible
3)I will probably run a 2200-2400 convertor
4)I have not chosen rear gear ratio yet as i dont know what tire size I am jamming under there but they will be big rims and street rubber
5)350-400 Hp range
6)I may possibly run a bolt on TBI fuel injection setup depending on funds

Several people have recommended Edelbrock heads and a rod shop suggested the Ford racing E303 cam (the specs look a bit mild to me)

Thanks all your input is welcome and appreciated










Criteria

[CALIFORNIA CALIENTE]

Kingspeedy2;I would suggest the AFR 165s or 185s with the 60cc combustion chamber,the 165s have slightly smaller valve sizes,I believe they are 1.90 Intake and 1.50 exhaust,185s are 2.02Intake and 1.60 exhaust.These heads are ready to go out of the box,perfect for your combo.If you want a thumping cam that still is very driveable,go with a CompCams Thumper series cam,I know plenty of people running them and are very happy with them! JMO , ROY.

[ants875]

I have a 347 with the AFR 185 heads and love them, I can get you cam spec tomorrow (cam car is at shop) I have comp cam roller rockers with a girdle on them to make everything stable. I have yet to have it on a dyno but it gets with the program. I have a t-5 with 3.73:1. my comp is like 10.8:1. I went with a quick fuel Q series 750 and it is great as well.

let me know if you have any other questions I may be able to help with,

Ant

[Rocket989]

Yea, TrickFlow 11R190's or AFR185's! I like Howards Cam's and the 228005-09, 228045-09, or 220245-10 all look good for what it sounds like you're after. A couple of the Thumpr cams look good too!! Think they have at least one that uses std. base circle diameter.

Don't say what trans you're using but if AOD, 4:10's are best all around! Might need to up your converter a bit. Check out the new FITech EFI stuff!!

JH

[barrys65cyclone]

another vote for AFR's but I would contact ED CURTIS at Flowtech Induction and do a custom grind cam he has done several for me and i cannot be happier I am going to upgrade from AFR 165's to 185's on my 289 and install Holman Moody 2x4 setup.

[kingspeedy1]

Thanks everyone for your input.
Well you guys sold me on the AFR heads .Since an engine is just a pump I always think bigger valves means more flow and more power Recently I have read otherwise .so I will choose valve size carefully I will probably go with the 1.90 and 1.50 exhaust.I also read you may have to notch piston more for the 2.02 valves and I have already have my pistons balanced . and will read up on the 165mm 185mm intake. I assume shorter is better for throttle response

after talking to a hot rodder who has put several 5.0 s together, he really like the Ford racing E303 cam which is the same specs as the Edelbrock Rolling thunder.. 220 220 Deg .498 .498. The duration seems low but I heard one on youtube and it sure sounded nice at idle and apparently has excellent driveability Its the same cam used in the FORD Racing 306 crate motor advertised at 340 HP.So it can make power.
A little more research to do and a few phone call to make but thank you all very much

[Rocket989]

If you're building a 331 it's unlikely you'll have to worry about piston valve reliefs (although you should always check P2V clearance!). Also think both an E cam and 165 head are a little small for a 331. It'd run good but bigger heads like the 185's and a better matched cam will make more power! You shouldn't lose anything on the bottom end either.

The smallest ex valve size AFR offers is 1.60; they'll work just fine.

JH

[ants875]

I agree with JH that you'd be happier with the 185's, as a point of comparison chevy 327's came with 202 valves from the factory. I have the 185's on my 347 and love them it has a great lope and screams when you throttle it. I have an Earson cam and am very happy with it, if you want I can get you specs on it.

Ant

[ants875]

here's the numbers on the cam I have its an Earson Grind # rh-294-2A Roller Lift: .544 Int/exh duration is 226 @ .050 intake and 234 @ .050 exhaust. with a 110 lob separation. Before I got this cam I spoke to Earson and this is what they suggested for a carbureted application. they also recommended the Ford racing lifters that are replacements for all the 5.0 motors with factory roller cams. this was also the cam the my builder suggested and it does run a lot better then the first cam I have which was a comp roller that if I remember correct had a 112 or 114 lobe separation which they say is for an efi motor.

hope this all helps

Ant