96 5.0 cam selection
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96 5.0 cam selection
This has probably been beat to death already but I am looking to upgrade my 96 5.0 mass air with the usual bolt ons. long tubes, exhaust, intake mods(cold air,tb spacer), cam, roller rockers. WHAT IS A GOOD CAM? truck is reg cab shortbox 4x4 5spd 3.55 gears that is used mostly offroad. (I know, not that great gearing for offroad) This year is a roller cam is it not? checked a couple cam web sites not really enough info for me. heard its better to call tech, But looking for some real world experience anyway. Oh and lastly does anyone know cyl head specs for this truck? Heard GT40Ps are good budget upgrade?
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The Mustang HO cam is a good upgrade. The Comp Cams 35-349-8 is a bigger upgrade. You want something with specs like this to give a broad powerband, a heavy truck with a 5.0 needs all the help it can get.
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If you're on a budget, a Mustang 5.0 roller cam works well (advanced 2 degrees) in a truck, and there are off-the-shelf cams that'll give you a little more than that as well. The best option would be to go with a custom grind though...no guess work.
Plug changes with GT-40P's and long tube headers can be a major pain. The regular GT-40 heads are still better than the standard truck heads and plug changes are much easier.
Plug changes with GT-40P's and long tube headers can be a major pain. The regular GT-40 heads are still better than the standard truck heads and plug changes are much easier.
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Depending on your budget for heads....try www.thumperoforangepark.com....ported E7's with decent prices...I agree go custom grind...takes the guessing andalot of headaches out of figuring things....
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How do I do a custom grind? is this when I call the manufacturer and just tell them my truck specs and what I am looking for. From a budget stand point ive heard when it comes to porting its almost more cost effective to just buy better heads to start, unless you do it yourself and I'm not about to go much further than gasket-port match. True/False. flareside thunder the site you list doesnt seem to go anywhere is it spelled wrong? thanks for the info guys.
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I like the idea of a custom grind cam, but I'm afraid if you mention anything about "fuel economy" or "sniffer tests" when talking to the cam guy you'll get a stick very similar to the stock grind.. basically a waste of your time to change it. Both the cams I mentioned above as well as others will pass emissions tests and help fuel milage if you can keep your foot out of it. The stock motor benefits from cams with lift up to 1/2", more lift = more power.
Last edited by Conanski; Aug 16, 2007 at 08:55 AM.
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That's odd... I've read several post from quite a few GEN 1 owners that have gone the custom grind route. They all seem to be very pleased with the way they perform and I don't remember any of them saying that they failed a smog test.
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Oh..I bet the majority are satisfied customers, but there will be some that will get underwhelming results because of how they describe what they want. If somebody asks for a cam that will give the most power without hurting fuel milage, then they'll get a grind very similar to stock. If they ask for the most power possible with the stock computer then they will get a very different grind. It's all in what you say..and don't say, just like getting money out of the Gov't or an insurance company.
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From: Calhoun GA
I agree, if the main purpose was to save fuel mileage. I did mention the 5.0 Mustang cam as an option which would be a good, inexpensive upgrade.
I didn't see any info regarding saving fuel mileage and given the list of future modifications and main purpose of the vehicle (off-road), I'm thinking that fuel mileage isn't that much of concern here...at least, it hasn't been mentioned up to this point.
I didn't see any info regarding saving fuel mileage and given the list of future modifications and main purpose of the vehicle (off-road), I'm thinking that fuel mileage isn't that much of concern here...at least, it hasn't been mentioned up to this point.
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Originally Posted by Conanski
The Mustang HO cam is a good upgrade. The Comp Cams 35-349-8 is a bigger upgrade. You want something with specs like this to give a broad powerband, a heavy truck with a 5.0 needs all the help it can get.
Use the recommended valve springs for the set with 0.533" lift.
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Yes definetly offroad only. Truck sees a trip to town and the landfill once a month but thats about it, Which would explain the boggers. No smog testing in Alberta yet. again, thanks for the input. Anyone know the approx combustion chamber volume of the stock heads?
Last edited by BEWOLD; Aug 16, 2007 at 06:34 PM.
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Originally Posted by flareside_thunder
sorry... www.thumperoforangepark.com
Last edited by Blurry94; Aug 16, 2007 at 11:19 PM.
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Hey guys, I had a question about this cam issue as well. How do I know which cams are compatible with my computer? The one cam from comp cams that was mentioned (35-349-8) says that it is compatible with OBD 1 on the comp cams site, but summit says it isn't computer controlled compatible....can anyone suggest a cam that would work well with a stock '91 F150 5.0. I plan on upgrading the exhaust and intake at some point as well. Thanks guys.
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From: Redmond, WA
Originally Posted by live2ride
Hey guys, I had a question about this cam issue as well. How do I know which cams are compatible with my computer? The one cam from comp cams that was mentioned (35-349-8) says that it is compatible with OBD 1 on the comp cams site, but summit says it isn't computer controlled compatible....can anyone suggest a cam that would work well with a stock '91 F150 5.0. I plan on upgrading the exhaust and intake at some point as well. Thanks guys.
If you have upgraded to a MAF system, you have a tremendous selection of cams to select as opposed to SD.
Hope this helps,
Mike