hey guys, new to the page. i have some questions on cam choice. I have a 400m with an edelbrock performer 400 intake and edelbrock 600cfm carb, i will be adding summit racing longtube headers. I want to do a performance cam but dont know which is best. Im thinking either the comp cams xtreme energy XE284h cam or the comp cams thumper 287TH7, want performance with the choppy idle?

 

Those seem wayyyyy too radical. I would recommend for something in the 270-275 range, .500-.570 lift. The choppiness I bet will be there. 400 seems to idle slightly choppy anyway being a square configuration.

 

And there is no such thing as a 400m.

 

2wd or 4wd? Manual or auto? What's the truck's intended use? Those are all important factors in cam choice. Choosing a cam by sound is dumb and a good way to have a turd of a motor.

Either of those cams u mentioned have a lot of duration, bad idea in a heavy truck with low compression.

 

Cam for truck, 112lsa is best and stay in that 500 lift range, you get much more than 500 lift, the driveability is deteriorated.

 

The 400 responds well to upgrades... the intake and exhaust will help. If you are running stock or similar pistons and heads, compression will be on the low side. Too much cam duration will bleed off cylinder pressure and kill torque. No fun.

I would suggest a cam in the 260 range for intake duration. Just as important, a straight up timing set and degree in the cam. Also important is matching valve springs... the stockers are not suited for a bigger cam.

Your choice performance mufflers will give it the sound you want.

 

There is such a thing, its the 351m/400(6.6), i have two trucks with these motors in them.

 

I will be doing a while cam kit, witch will include all of those components, thanks for the help, its greatly appreciated

 

No, no theres not, do your home work. You have in those trucks either a 351m or a 400, there is no 400m, never has been never will be. Good luck with your build.

 

Been here lately? 335 Series- 5.8/351M, 6.6/400, 351 Cleveland - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

X2 on yes 351M and yes 400, but NO 400M.

351C with a M code yes.

The M-code was a high-compression, high-performance variation of the 351C, produced in 1970 and 1971. The M-code engines used the large-port 4V heads with a closed "quench" combustion chamber and large valves.[3] These engines also included cast-aluminum flat-top pistons, stiffer valve springs, a high-performance hydraulic camshaft, and a squarebore Autolite 4300-A carburetor.[1] The 1970 engines were 11.0:1 compression and produced 300 bhp (224 kW; 304 PS) at 5400 rpm, while 1971 versions had a slightly lower compression ratio of 10.7:1, and produced 285 bhp (213 kW; 289 PS) at 5400 rpm.[3] The M-code 351C required premium fuel and was available in the 1970-71 Ford Torino, Mercury Montego, Ford Mustang, and Mercury Cougar.[11][12]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_335_engine

Bubba's M-Block Ford V8 Workshop
Great info on power up. M-Block 351M/400 History

Ford 400 and 351M Performance Upgrades and Parts - FordMuscle

 

Thanks for adding content to the thread fellas. Real helpful for new members.


What these two are picking at is the fact that you have an "m" next to the "400" in your original post (O.P.).

Instead of giving you some advice, they chose to pick apart what you said. Technically, they are correct. There's no such thing as a "Ford 400 Modified" - it's just a Ford 400. Were they right to do that when all you're looking for is some advice? No... definitely not.

Hopefully it doesn't ruin your experience on FTE as a new member. Btw, Welcome to the forum . Regardless of whose right or wrong, it's good to have new members show up on the forum to keep these old Dentsides running.

Now on to what you were looking for.

Hivoltj's suggestion is quite right... it depends on what you have currently in your truck (current specs) and where you intend to go with your truck (your wishlist/wants).


List some specifications for your truck for us so we can get a better idea of what you've got in the truck. 2WD? 4x4? Front/Rear end gearing ratios? Tire size? Transmission (Auto/Manual)?

What's the intended purpose of the truck? What is its job right now?

Cam selection is very important. Choosing the wrong cam can have dire consequences for your build. Tell us some important details on your truck and we can help you out.

 

Oh dear. I have been chastised by a canadian. What ever am I to do?

 

Lets not let this forum get to be like others out there. Sometime a short answer is good, but a short answer with some supporting info is even better.