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Topic: ho cam swap (Read 5877 times) previous topic - next topic

ho cam swap

Reply #15 –
vinnie what mods can i do on speed density if i put the ho cam with new sd eec will i notice any gains ? and can i do gt40 heads with sd

ho cam swap

Reply #16 –
HO cam, 19's, and at least an HO or GT40 upper/lower intake, along with the GT40 heads and the 65mm TB will have you over what an '87-92 5.0 was rated at, which was 225 hp/300 pound/feet torque. Don't forget good headers and a true dual exhaust. For a little more snap, swap to a 3.55, 3.73, or 4.10 rear gear, and a good higher stall torque converter if you're sticking with AOD, and you'll have a much peppier car.

In fact, the above combo differs from only in the cam choice. If I couldn't have an E cam, I'd have remained with the HO. You'l still have more power than a stock HO engine, but with the stock SO pistons, and the GT40 heads, I'd be really careful about piston to valve contact. If you plan to run 1.7 rockers, you'll NEED to putty the pistons to be sure the valve aren't hitting the pistons. Might not hurt in any case...it's easy to do, just takes a little time and effort. If you're doing the head swap, it's cheap insurance anyway.


With the 65mm TB, you might need mass air. I had to swap to mass air because of my E cam, I've no solid idea if just a bigger TB will need mass air or not.


And in case you weren't aware, the Explorer/Mountaineer 5.0 intakes are just as good as the Cobra intakes, and in fact, some folks prefer them, some of the castings are thicker, meaning they can be ported more internally, and as well, there were some EGR differences, but I won't go into all that here, now.
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

ho cam swap

Reply #17 –
ive already done t-5 swap and tubular headers h pipe and flow master 40s cobra intake and explorer tb ive converted to 5 lug and a mark vii rear with 3.27 and disk i dont know anything about running 1.7 rockers id rather just do cam and gt40 heads unless i can get away with the rockers but what is the performance gain from 1.7 rockers? will i see gains from just an h.o cam ? since i plan on doing the heads at a later date i have the 19# already and when i get up the money ill buy that cam from you so ill just need an eec i plan on doing waterpump and timing chain while im in there

ho cam swap

Reply #18 –
Quote from: ThunderbirdSport302;450721
With the 65mm TB, you might need mass air. I had to swap to mass air because of my E cam, I've no solid idea if just a bigger TB will need mass air or not.

Nah a 65mm TB will be fine with SD. I ran GT40P heads, GT40 intake, 65mm TB, and a Comp 266HR (35-308-8) cam with a Mark VII SD computer in my car for a couple of years without issue, Started, idled, and drove fine. I only switched to MAF when I went from stock 19lb injectors to 24lb injectors. Plus getting an A9P for free was a catalyst as well ;).

Out of all the parts I just listed the only two still in my Thunderbird are the A9P and the Comp 266HR cam......
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

ho cam swap

Reply #19 –
yeager, the 1.7 rockers will "give" your cam more lift. Downside is you'll need aftermarket valve covers unless you've already got some that are big enough to clear 'em.

I had some tall Motorsport covers, ended up having to get an inch intake spacer to allow clearance for 'em. A day's pay less taxes...down the drain, but that's how it goes lol.


Anytime you need the cam, let me know and I'll get it out to you. One is from an '88 engine, and the other is from my '89 that I put together for my notch. Good stuff.



In fact, I think I might try to find a set of 24's and get a mass air meter to go with....might as well maximize my combo. Fuel isn't an issue, what with a 255 Walbro residing in the tank.
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

ho cam swap

Reply #20 –
Yes, you will notice a huge difference over the stock engine. One thing to also do is swap the factory 2.73 gears for something a little lower, like 3.55's or 3.73's. I personally like the 3.55's for a good all around gear. The gears alone will make a huge difference. Just like stated above, the heads, cam, intake, and t-bosy will be great. Headers and dual exhaust as well.
'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 #21 –
so im almost there then i just bought a mark vii rear with 3.27 so that will be a good change from the 2.73 and dont think ill do bigger rockers unless i decide i need new rockers and ill just build up the heads piece by piece till i have it all i actually started all of this after joining here and talking to you about doing a t-5 swap

ho cam swap

Reply #22 –
so basically correct me if if wrong more lift means more airflow without having to get bigger heads? and vinnie where can i find the eec that i would need for h.o cam and will all mi need to do is swap cam plug in eec?

ho cam swap

Reply #23 –
I have seen the EEC's posted on Ebay, the Corral forum.....and post an add down in the classifieds here. AT the very least, I'd swap the heads to E-7's or GT-40's. E-7 heads aren't the greatest, but, they are better than the stock E-6 heads that you have now, and are probably good for 15 to 20 horsepower. Also, if you are running a stock exhaust, yank it all off the car, and replace it with headers and a good dual exhaust. The factory cast iron exhaust manifolds are very restrictive. After market shorty headers can be found pretty cheap on the Corral forum if you shop around, and even on Ebay. Ditch the smog equipment if you can as well. We don't have smog laws here where I live, so it's long gone.
'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 #24 –
yeah i have headers h pipe flowmaster 40s

ho cam swap

Reply #25 –
I have a set of OEM headers, a set of aftermarket ones, and a speed density ECU out of a mark vii if you're interested.  I also believe I have a set of 1.6 roller rockers on some e6 heads.  Finally, I have a stock HO intake manifold , 19b injectors, and a 65MM throttle body that hasn't yet been converted.  Let me know if you are interested in any or all of this, I was keeping it around until I bought my TC.
T-Birds can't fly.  Ask how I know...

ho cam swap

Reply #26 –
i have most might be int in the eec

ho cam swap

Reply #27 –
The H.O swap is a one day job if you have everything next to you. If you swap the cam, go ahead and swap the water pump and timing chain as well.
'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 #28 –
Quote from: vinnietbird;450761
If you swap the cam, go ahead and swap the water pump and timing chain as well.

I really hope people aren't reusing the factory timing chain.......
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.
 

ho cam swap

Reply #29 –
yeah going to do both