Ok my first post to this site...I've spent hours web browsing and reading everything I can on FE engines and how to make them go fast, strong and long.

I've been lurking on this website for months now and have searched awhile for specs/results on cam builds for the FE.

I've even called and spoke to Barry Robotnik aka MR. FE at Survival M/S (great guy) and am now MORE confused than when I began.

So here's the deal...I recently purchased a completely machined 428SCJ engine from my uncle in Yuma AZ. Barry R says to build the engine around the cam... Barry uses the comp cam 282S mech lifter as his 'go to' cam ....but This is going into a box stock 72 F250 truck with a newly rebuilt C6. I desire hyd lifters for ease of maintenence.

So should I stay as close to the stock grind as possible or beef it a little (compare 265DHE Comp Cam to the 270H Comp cam...stock vs hp)
Any input would be fantastic.. Thanks ahead of time

 

For your info below. Read the Hot Rod/CarCraft articles:

352/360/390/427/428 FE Series
FE Clutch Fan Conversion
FE Exhaust Manifolds and Why You Probably Want Headers
How to ID a 360FE vs 390FE
CarCraft Magazine: Build a Low-Buck Street/Strip FE
Ford FE.com: 332-428 FE Engine Forum
Sanderson Shorty Headers FF427 Reference Pics
Doug Thorley FE Headers
Barry Rabotnik's Survival Motorsports- FE Engines & High Performance Parts
Ford FE Smog-Legal Horsepower,Part I
Ford FE Smog-Legal Horsepower, Part II

 

Stock would be OK, mild RV style cam would be better, wild racecar cam would be bad.

Usually, you want to stay under .500" lift for street use. Somewhere around a 260 duration makes good low-mid range power.

Or are you wanting to make a sleeper rig? Stuffing a 428SCJ in anything is gonna make it a hot rod....

 

Do you already have the pistons and heads for the newly machined 428? If so what is your compression ratio. You want a cam that works well with the compression ratio of your engine.

 

Thanks Fellas...

Silver...Yes! I've read MOST of that info, which , of course, has lead me to this post.
Allow me to give you all what I have so far;
true 428 SCJ block, freshly machined to .060 over which gives me 439ci, stock crank polished, scat forged steel H rods, 9:1 forged pistons, Performer RPM intake, Holley 850, Hooker headers, stock 390 cast iron heads, stock valve train.
what I've been investigating is that everything looks good for whatever I want to build UP TO 600 HP...LOL... don't care too much about that... looking to make this a strong and durable build with the HP as a bonus...mostly towing in mountainous areas up to 8k feet pulling a toy hauler.

What I'm told is that the 439ci engine will have gobs of TQ right off the line and that I should consider building the engine for midrange hp...this is where I need you all's input...power up at 1400, 1800, or 2000 rpm??
BTW stock C6 new rebuild...
Thanks Again

 

Cleveland...
Stock specs Int .481/ Ex .490
Replacement near stock from Comp Cams is a 265DEH which reads Int .484/Ex .510 RPM 1500-5750
Barry's choice 282S Int .571/Ex .571 RPM 2000-6000 mech lifters
Closest to Barry's choice in hyd 208H Int .530/Ex .530 RPM 2000-6000
My choice (i think) 270H Int .519/Ex .519 RPM 1800-5800
So, you see, this is where the real questions begin. TIA

 

Cleveland
Yup...that's what I'm hearing ANY 428 build is gonna be a monster...LOL... should be a blast to drive! My machinist said, "you consider racing that thing up the hill?" to which I replied, "the thought had crossed my mind", to which he says, laughing, "how old are you?"

 

9:1 ratio max

 

Thanks Silver! Talked person to person with Barry R...bought his book on high performance FE's...read the posts on the FE threads, talked to a FE performance builder here in San Diego ($14k for a total balanced and blueprinted build...YIKES!!)
And have ended up posting here...any other ideas? TIA

 

BILLYBOB
I recommend buying Desktop Dyno 5 , very good software to figure out how you want your engine . you can change cams, pistons,intakes, headers ,ported head , valve size .. well everything then run on sim to see what HP/TQ you make . here's a sample of a 390 with Lunati 62003 cam

 

currently $52.11 on amazon

 

Hey Mike..

Thanks!! That's what I needed...that plus personal experiences.

 

with your specs , check out the Lunati Voodoo 62002,62003 cams

 

Since you're aiming at towing rather than drag strip style performance, consider turning the cam ahead 2 or 4 degrees. This really helps in the low rpm range.

 

EGADS!! Now with all this info...seems I know less than ever before...Yes, the 62002 seems like a logical choice with the 62003 needing a 2200 stall converter which I don't need or want exactly.
Ran the dyno program and seems that the 270H Comp cam is comparable to the Lunati 62002...EXCEPT for the lobe overlap which is effing everything up as far as my understanding is now...sigh...more learning seems necessary