Looking for a 0.500" or so cam for my 1999 f150 with the 4.2L 5 speed, (Because who doesn't want their truck to sound like this lol ). I'm pretty sure stock cam spec is 0.450" but I'm not sure, I know I'll need springs though. Just trying to find a relatively cheap camshaft that I can get shipped here in southern Ontario. I'm not sure what other cams would fit the 4.2L, if all the 3.8L cams would fit or what.

 

From what little you posted, it appears you need some extra information.
1. Has that truck had the cats removed and the rest of the exhaust altered to make the noise you like to hear?
2. Has the owner offered you the cam specs?
3. Is this truck is equipped with both a different cam and altered exhaust system?
.
I ask the questions because an extra .050 valve lift won't produce that much of an exhaust note 'by itself'
The extra exhaust noise from a cam is the results of an earlier exhaust valve opening point when the cylinder pressures are higher making the exhaust louder. This is a duration change.
Also, if the intake valve/exhaust valve 'overlap' is wider during the intake stroke, the idle becomes unstable. Perhaps that is what your liking hearing.
Add to all this an exhaust mod and that's what you hear as a result.
I took the moment to explain all this because there is more to it than just a valve lift increase..
Also when the cam duration is lengthened, the engine loses some lower end torque because it has been moved higher in the RPM band.
For a truck application, this is not normally what you would want unless your just wanting to hot rod the truck.
And by the way, a V6 makes a lot of racket when things are done like this. If you ever heard them on the race track you would be stounded like the time NASCAR ran the V6 classes years ago..
Otherwise you need to contact a cam vendor and go over your intent and desire.so they can make a recommendation..
Good luck.

 

Well if you read the description it says it has long tubes and a flowmaster 10 and it says he got the lumpy cam from supersixmotorsports.com, right now i have shorty headers, no cats, and a cherrybomb pro exiting the same spot as that truck. And for the low end torque, im getting some 4.10 or maybe even shorter i dont know yet, so i think i should be okay.

 

 

Let us know how the 4.10s work out! I got a set of 3.73s and limited slip to replace my open 3.08s.

 

I didn't know they came in open diff?

 

You don't buy a cam to get a specific engine "sound".... There are lots of tradeoffs, and replacing a cam is not a minor job. It sounds like you are young and enthusiastic, but modifying a 4.2 V6 in a full size truck is not a good use of your funds. If you want a faster truck, trade yours for one with a 5.4 engine, but it's still a truck, not a NASCAR truck. If you want something fast, get a Mustang or something that weighs less and can go around a corner.

The truck in the pic has a cool sounding idle, but would probably give you a headache on a trip and keep you from hearing the stereo, along with attracting the police from miles away. Been there, got my headaches with glasspacks and loud mufflers, but I had those on big block muscle cars back in the early 70's so they were fast to begin with.

 

If i was only buying a cam to make my truck louder, I'd save $500 and just take off my muffler... I am well aware that replacing a cam isn't a quick job, I'll have to take out the intake, timing cover, valve covers, etc. it's not that difficult. Also I find upgrading to the 5.4 pretty pointless being that the gain is barely 25hp, and that would be if my 4.2 was stock

 

I was much smarter when I was 16 than I am now at 66. Have fun, and learn your own lessons. A 4.2 peashooter in a 4500 lb full size truck is never gonna be a worthwhile engine to modify; you will likely spend a lot of money and end up with a less dependable engine. And it's still gonna be slower than your grandmother's Buick.

In addition to horsepower, there is also torque and power at specific RPM ranges to take into consideration. A semi truck may have only 450-500 horsepower but pull its weight around due to an immense low-end torque curve.

Just make sure you can borrow another car to drive while you are doing your "easy" cam replacement and afterward when it fails to run. If you are confused about gear ratios and limited slip units, which are completely different concepts, you are not ready to do serious engine work quite yet.

Take care,
George

 

can i put the

COMP Cams Xtreme Energy Camshafts 44-700-9 in my 4.2l v6?

High flow cats, dual super 10s out to either side.

 

Comp Cams says yes. Assuming you have a 1989 - 2004 4.2. You didn't say.

https://www.compcams.com/products/co...1989-2004.html

https://www.compcams.com/xtreme-ener...-cylinder.html

"Engine Family Ford 3.8L and 4.2L 6 Cylinder (1989-2004)"