I recently had the Edelbrock performer plus cam installed in my 400. It has a lot of thrust at lower speeds, but it doesn't really have much grunt at higher speeds. It's faster than when it had the stock cam with the performer intake and carb, but I still feel the need for something better. What would be a good cam that still has some low end grunt but more top end power? The performer plus doesn't seem like a "performer" in my opinion. I'd like to be able to accelerate faster in the higher speed ranges (70mph+), like passing people and such. Would a Comp 268 or 270 be a better choice? Would headers help noticably in the upstairs range with the current cam?

 

Did they install the cam correctly?

Are the secondaries in your carb working properly?

Is the advance mechanism in the distributor operating?

 

Yes, it's all functioning well. It accelerates well, I'm just greedy and want more.

 

Maybe you need to start looking at your actual gearing and or tire sizes on your vehicle instead?

 

The gearing is 3.50, and I think it has 15's. I just posted in the wheels forum about tires. Can you improve your acceleration noticably with a tire upgrade?

 

15's is your rim size. Rim size won't do anything. What is the tire size you are running? What truck is this in? Automatic, 4-speed????

 

I simulated the Edelbrock cam for someone else earlier this week. He, like you, did not have headers. In my opinion it is not a very good cam, but it is terrible without headers. It has 63 degrees overlap and an IVC of 68 degrees. This means that it gives up a lot of low end power, but without headers you don't tap the high RPM potential. The lift is only 0.484/0.510. That is low for a cam with all that duration.

I like the Comp Cams 275DEH for good low end and some high end power, but headers are still necessary to get that high RPM power. It has 63 degrees IVC, higher lift, and less overlap than the Edelbrock.

Beyond that a 260HR, or 270HR for serious muscle.

Another thing to improve the high end is porting, improving the flow pays off at both ends.

 

Check out this website lots of great info on 400 m I have one also
fordsunlimited.com/tech/400mperformance.htm type the whole thing its worth it

 

Hmmmm, that information was stolen from this site and another user. Thanks for the link, I am sure the lawyers will be calling

 

Ok, thanks for the info about the headers. I'll try to get those on as soon as I can. How expensive is porting? I just got done paying the mechanic $1,300 to get it running, so I've got about $700 to play with. I don't know of any reputable machine shops to go to in my area. How much more power will that 275 make over the Edelbrock? I'm curious as to how much of a performance gain it'll give me. Thanks for the advice, gentlemen. It's good to talk to those more enlightened than myself. Good luck with the lawyer, Torque1st!

 

if you got the money a 270HR.

 

For $700.00 you should be able to get some nice headers and have some change. Leave the Edelbrock cam in the motor and install the headers.
You can get a book on porting and do it yourself, if you want to tackle that.

Here are the numbers for unported heads.

Edelbrock w/manifold torque = 339@2000 RPM, 376@3000 RPM, HP = 287@4500 RPM.

• Edelbrock w/Headers torque = 382@2000 RPM, 403@3500 RPM, HP = 319@5000 RPM
• 275DEH w/manifolds torque = 363@2000 RPM, 390@3000 RPM, HP = 290@4500
• 275DEH w/headers torque = 405@2000 RPM, 412@3500 RPM, HP = 324@4500 RPM

Porting the heads will give more improvement.

 

what size carb and did you install a double roller timing chain?

 

Brent, I got my port work done for $150. It is amazing to see the difference on those exhaust ports before and after, makes you wonder what the guys at Ford were smoking...

 

Well, I´m reading with interest, because I use a edelbrock cam on my 400 without headers, too and found out that there are better cams (thanks Danlee) .

Now gentlemen, please explain me unsuspecting german boy what is porting and what`s the effect ?

Tom