Hi all,
It's time for me to ask the same question everyone asks... what cam??

I really appreciate the advice I've received on this site so far. Here's my plan, starting with an '89 EFI 460:

-Bored .030" with 4.3" crank (521 ci)
-Approx. 9:1 compression with Probe dished pistons
-EFI heads with 2.19 & 1.76 valves. Moderate porting. Roller rockers. These are 97cc combustion chambers, and I will need to mill the head slightly to reach 9:1. (I can't use DOVE or aluminum heads because I want to keep the EFI setup.)
-Stock EFI intake, either ported or extrude honed
-L&L headers
-Fully programmable computer from SDS. This is a speed density EFI.

This is going into an '87 F350 4x4 with 37" tires, 4.10 gears, and E4OD trans (I haven't picked a torque converter yet). Truck weighs 6100lbs.

I want this engine to be strong in all situations -- so I don't want an RV cam, but I don't want a 6000rpm screamer either. I expect redline to be around 5500rpm. I would like to have a slightly rough idle for the "cool" factor, and I'm willing to give up some low-end torque for it. Main use for this truck is 4-wheeling and having fun. It's not my daily driver.

Questions:
1. What cam do you recommend?
2. I've heard that a stroker engine works better with a higher-duration cam than a stock 460. Can anyone verify this?
3. Can I run a higher compression ratio than 9:1 using 89-91 octane gas? Is 9.5:1 pushing my luck? Keep in mind I live in Arizona and this truck will see a lot of 110 degree days.

Sorry for the long post. Thanks in advance.

Scott

 

A little rule of thumb with strokers - as the cubes go up, a specific cam profile will be less "radical". A cam profile that seems pretty radical in a 350-400 cube motor will be more of an upper-mid-range cam when you boost the displacement by almost 50%.

In other words, a cam that's designed for a 2000-6000 rpm powerband in a stock 460 will probably make a good all-around cam for you, as it will drop the "sweet spot' down a couple hundred RPM.

A couple of suggestions...

Crane Powermax Hydraulic H-296-2
Lunati Street/Strip Hydraulic 00096
Crower Hi-Draulic Hauler 22206

Any of these should fit your application nicely. You will have a noticeably choppy idle, but still make just enough vacuum to operate your brakes (although you will probably want to install a reserve can).

You could go all-roller and pick up a significant amount of power, but it's expensive and may require machine work.

Brad

 

Mister man ~ I love my Lunati 00096; it gets plenty of attention from those who "know" what all the loping is "about". Great low end throttle (my F100 is "only" 4.600 pounds, though..."...GREAT mid-range torque...and when I want to WHOMP on it....guys you better look out....

I bought the Lunati in its kit form with everything then threw on a straight up double-roller from Hayes.

 

Thanks guys. I've heard a lot of comments about the Lunati 00096 (mostly good). I'm leaning towards the Lunati or the Crane H-296-2. I checked the specs on the Crower 22206 - yikes! That one looks serious.

loveoldtrux: What compression ratio are you running, and what fuel octane? Hopefully my project turns out as good as yours.

Scott

 

If you don't mind adjusting valves every so often, it sounds like the Crower 22401 roller would be a great cam for your application. I seriously considered this cam in my truck. Check it out and see what you think.

 

Bigsnag,
Thanks for the input. I checked out the Crower you suggested. Looks good, but I'm not sure if I want to spend the extra money for the roller setup.

Your gallery says that you are using an Xtreme 4x4 cam. What grind is it, and are you satisfied with it? I was considering the X4270H.

Scott

 

Mine is the one with 218/226 duration and .515/.524 lift. I'm not sure what the part number is off of the top of my head. I can say that one notch bigger would have still been okay even with the stock converter and I doubt it would have had too much of a lope. With the stroker you are building you could easily go one notch bigger if not two. For sure one notch bigger would be a strong mid-range and still have a near stock idle. I personally prefer Comp cams in almost all applications. They don't offer any small rollers though and no hydraulic rollers for the 460's...yet. I would definitely recommend them though. I have only heard good things about Crower as well. I have a good friend who runs them in his 900+ hp C460 headed drag boat, and he loves their products. Not just their cams. I'll look up the Comp part number when I get a chance. I will say, when you look in the cam books or even when yo ucall their help line, they seem to offer good info, but it is a little generalized for my tastes. They sort of lump all 385 series engines together. We all know the same cam in a 429 vs in a 521 stroker would act completely different. Whenever I have sought their advice, it doesn't seem as though they took this into consideration. Anyway.......

 

What roller rockers and valve covers are you using. Are there aftermarket v/covers for the E7 heads? Just curious about clearance problems.

 

Mr Man - I'm not running anything in the compression department as in the "good ole days" - the days of 12.5 to 1 are gone, I'm afraid....

The engine is an 83 model from an E-300 van. I did not put high compression pistons in it; just decked and bored the block .030 over and trued the heads. I use the regular low lead at $1.93 per gallon (can't afford the high test stuff) and it runs fine. No pinging is present.

 

I haven't figured out what roller rockers I can use yet. I'm worried that aluminum rockers won't clear the stock covers. Maybe someone makes a stainless rocker that fits.

Here's a site that has aftermarket 460 center-bolt valve covers. I don't know about their price or quality though. And the valve covers in the photo don't show a oil filler neck or a PCV fitting. If I can't find a rocker arm that fits my stock covers, I'll give these guys a call:

www.uniquealuminumproducts.com/bbford_cb.htm


Scott

 

I am running Ford Racing aluminum roller rockers and they clear with a .524 lift cam. Hope this helps.