I want to build my engine up ('89 351W Zf 5 spd) to be good offroad and to be able to turn my 36" swampers with 4.56s. I called comp cams and they recommended me part # 35-255-4 which doesnt exist but 35-255-5 does. These cams are made for speed density and lots of torque. I like this. I was going to port and polish my heads and i already have headers, k&n filter and msd ignition. Will this put out the power I want? I really dont want to buy a chip seeing as I am only a kid and college is coming up and i gotta pay for that mess.

 

What power are you looking for?

 

I want enough power. like around 300 hp would be nice. i dont want to go too crazy but rnough to get me up hills over rocks and through mud but also have some nut for the street as well.

 

Do you already have the 4.56 gears installed?

 

yep

 

I don't know if you would make 300hp with that cam and stock heads (without a chip) or not, I would say not, you should get a boost in torque which is what your after. Something to think about

 

Is the truck for off road only?

 

no it is for on road as well. And it needs to pass emmisions. With ported heads would I want to go with a more radical cam and chip? I really dont want to get the chip and I am after the big low end and throttle response. I am also not about to go convert to MAF.

 

Depends on what your looking for, if you wanna take every ounce of hp and tq out of that motor then a chip is required because the engine doesn't know how to compensate after a point. You might consider a stroker crank if low end is what your after. I know its not very cheap but then again its not a bad bang for your buck considering you after low end torque. The cranks can be bought new for $300 and you would only need 302 pistons, you use your existing 351 rods, you would need to have the entire rotating assembly taken to a machinist including the damper and flywheel/flexplate and have it balanced, you will have to ask a machinist in your area what that might cost roughly becuase the price varies from area to area and job to job. It would cost more but it would provide the low end grunt your after more so than the heads being ported. Add a rv/ 4X4 cam and you should be set, keep the lobe seperation at 114 and leave the chip alone. Not cheap is it? When your trying to stay on a tight budget. Torqueking will like this, you could add a higher stall converter to give you an extra jump in off idle power, might consider that with the other mods, as well, they can be found for $100-$300, depends on who you get it from. If you have time to kill and really wanna do it, then cleaning up and mildly porting your heads might not be a totaly waste of your time. Just a thought, later

 

i have a standard so no torque converter for me. I dont really want to stroke the sucker out either. I kind of want to stay mild but still better than average power. Think I can manage this with the cam they recommended and no chip?

 

Sure it should make a difference, see if you like it, if its not enough power, port the heads. Good luck, lemme know how it goes and if your happy with the power

 

would it be a good idea to just port the heads anyways while i have the engine out and on a stand? I kindof want to get everything done i can then put it in.

 

Couldn't hurt, just let the cam company know that you intend on porting the heads or already have, that should affect the grind they recommend. If your gonna rebuild the engine, which is why your pulling it, then let them know the compression as well, if your raising it, that would affect the cam selection as well. later, and again, lemme know how it turns out