I have a 289, with edelbrock 600CFM carb and a performer intake. I want something that makes good street power but nothing with too much lope at idle. I don't want to change my torque converter or anything else yet. I will be adding headers sometime and I already have a 2-1/4 inch dual exhaust.

I noticed that some cams have the same duration for intake and exhaust, but others dont. Why is that? What benefits do either type have? I am interested in something like a 268H duration wise, but noticed that some cams come with about 216 deg intake and 220 or more exhaust. What are the pros and cons of different durations for the exhuast lobes?

Second. I keep hearing that the HiPo engine had solid lifters. I would like to consider that route, but I couldnt see many options. from a stock hydraulic system like mine what options do I have? I dont like hyraulic lifters, I prefer to set the lash myself, but I suppose If im not building a high revving engine it shouldnt bother me. So what about hydraulic or solid roller lifters? would I see any benefit from those? My aim point is about 300hp from my 289 with good low end pull.

With roller lifters I assume I benefit by getting more lift with the same durations, but i didnt see any cams designed with this in mind. Also how much lift is too much? how will i know what will cause piston to valve clearance problems? I would like to upgrade later to some better cylinder heads or get mine ported. I noticed that the edlebrock heads can have big valves but they wont work with stock pistons. I guess I need to visit some more websites and not rely on the summit catalogue for all my answers.

Lastly I wish to buy a kit with the new timing chain and lifters etc... Can i do all this with the motor in the car? to get the cam out do i need to remove the rad?

268H is a great grind for a completly stock engine. (I don't consider adding exhuast and a 4v induction much of a modification)Great power and a nice mild rumpety rump idle.
The 270H is more agressive and is a bit much for stock heads and compression, but will show good better top end power at the expense of some low end and a choppier idle.

We stock them both.

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Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator

NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
MCA member# 53321
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA National Record Holder '00, '01, & '02
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28
Professional Manwhore
The Barry of BarrysGrrl

After looking at the comp cams website I wonder why I shouldnt be buying the 270HR cam (hydraulic retro roller with 215 degrees of duration) it has slightly less duration than the 268H but more lift. Leads me back to the question how much lift is too much?
if i go above 0.5 inches will I hit my pistons? Its a stock 68 C code engine internally as far as I know.

-1979 302, bored 0.040" over
-flat top pistons with small valve reliefs (no interference)
-CompCams XE262H cam (.493"/.500" lift, 218/224 duration @0.050")
-Edelbrock Performer 289 intake manifold
-Holley 600 VS carb
-Stock smogger heads w/3-angle valve grind
-Stock style 87-93 shorty headers
-2.5" Off-road H-pipe
-Flowmaster 2-chamber 2.5" cat-back w/polished tips
-T-5 5-speed tranny
-3.73 gears w/traction lock

Let me tell you, I couldn't be happier with the cam. It pulls great down low, and revs right up to 5800 with no sign of falling off. The idle is nice with a bit of lope, but nothing too wild (you know it has a bit of a cam, but it'll idle in traffic all day without loading up the carb or stumbling). The combo turned out to be stronger than I really expected. It lights up the brand new BFG Radial TA 235/60-15s in first gear at will, and leaves 15-20 feet of black on the 1-2 shift, chirps 3rd.

Stock 5.0s can't keep up to me, and I even pulled away on a 2001/2 GT convertible 5-speed with an extra person in my car (the other driver was alone). I haven't dynoed the car, but I suspect I'm getting 275-290 hp at the crank (pure speculation here!). With the increased compression of your heads over my smoggers you may even do better than me.

Just wanted to relay my experience! For me, this cam worked out perfectly.

Oh yes, I wanted to add, the reason that you see a lot of split lift/duration cams out there for the 302/351 is due to the exhaust side of the Windsor heads being notoriously restricted in their flow. In order to compensate, additional lift and duration are added to assist in exhaust scavanging, and even up the flow more between the intake and exhaust.

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Cheers,
Ian
M&M Member #395
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'79 Mustang Indy 500 Pace Car
Ian's Pace Car Website
Vancouver Island Mustang Association Website
Indy Pace Car Registry of Mustangs Official Website

"A friend will bail you out of jail after you do something stupid... a real friend will be sitting beside you saying 'That was SO COOL!!'".

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Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator

NHRA/IHRA/SRA member and licensed Superstock driver
MCA member# 53321
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA National Record Holder '00, '01, & '02
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28
Professional Manwhore
The Barry of BarrysGrrl

quote:

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Originally posted by Moneymaker:
Most common mistake in camshaft selection is going too big!
Words of advice.
Don't get into the "eyes are bigger than the appetite" syndrome.

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Which is exactly why I went for the XE262H over the XE268H with my combo, based on your and other advice here on M&M! Couldn't have worked out better, IMHO.