351w suggestions
New User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: summerfield fl
the last engine I had in my f350 was a 351 that operated on sd, It had a rv cam in it, dont think it made much difference in hp, but torque was a world of difference, idled nice and being able to blow the 35s off at 25 mph was a nice feeling.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
A cam and exhaust does wonders for this motor.. easily putting it into the 250-270hp range with lots more TQ across the whole powerband.. been there and done that. The cam I suggested would be from an '87-95 mustang 5.0 and you can add 1.7 rockers to that for a bit more airflow. Most aftermarket cams are significantly more radical than these factory grinds and even those that are supposed to be SD EFI friendly won't really deliver stock engine behavior. The one I have in my 5.0 now is an example of this, it's a little rough at idle and tends to stall on a restart sometimes, not the end of the world but it can be annoying at times.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 781
Likes: 8
From: Sanford, NC
An engine is basically just an air pump. The more air you can move thru it, the more power and efficient it is. Ford small block engine cylinder heads have small valves and
restrictive ports. This is OK at low to medium RPMs but it hurts performance at higher
operating RPMs. The best way to improve performance on these engines is to add
a balanced package of intake, camshaft, exhaust and cylinder heads. In years past
we ported and polished head ports and installed larger valves in the heads. Now you
don't have to go this trouble because you can buy aftermarket cylinder heads complete
that have all the good performance features. The heads and the compatible cam, exhaust and intake will really wake up an engine.
restrictive ports. This is OK at low to medium RPMs but it hurts performance at higher
operating RPMs. The best way to improve performance on these engines is to add
a balanced package of intake, camshaft, exhaust and cylinder heads. In years past
we ported and polished head ports and installed larger valves in the heads. Now you
don't have to go this trouble because you can buy aftermarket cylinder heads complete
that have all the good performance features. The heads and the compatible cam, exhaust and intake will really wake up an engine.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
There is no way a Flowmaster even 50 series with a turndown sounds the same as the stock muffler. With stock cats it won't be very loud, but it should give some sound increase. The stock exhaust is so quiet you can barely hear it.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
Thats because your engine is not stock. So it sounds better.
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Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 58
Likes: 1
A cam and exhaust does wonders for this motor.. easily putting it into the 250-270hp range with lots more TQ across the whole powerband.. been there and done that. The cam I suggested would be from an '87-95 mustang 5.0 and you can add 1.7 rockers to that for a bit more airflow. Most aftermarket cams are significantly more radical than these factory grinds and even those that are supposed to be SD EFI friendly won't really deliver stock engine behavior. The one I have in my 5.0 now is an example of this, it's a little rough at idle and tends to stall on a restart sometimes, not the end of the world but it can be annoying at times.
Hey conanski,
If it's not too much trouble could you recommend an exhaust setup including headers for my truck? I do not want the sound level to be increased greatly but would like the performance gains. So far my plans are the cam you recommended, an exhaust setup preferrably a single outlet design, maybe those rocker arms(where do I get them, part number)? Another question, if I change all this, will the gt40 heads still be compatible with this cam or will it run good? Are these heads for this motor basically a bolt on and instant gains or is there something I am not thinking of like valve springs or internals?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 781
Likes: 8
From: Sanford, NC
GT40P heads are better than stock 351 heads but I'm not sure where you could buy
them other than at a dealership. If you get used ones they would probably have to be
reconditioned which would cost money. I like Dart cast iron cylinder heads for small
block Fords. They come fully assembled with a performance valve job and springs to
match most cams you would want to use. I don't sell or have anything to do with them
but have used them in the past with good results. They can be purchased at Summitt
or Jegs and for a while aleast a few years ago from Ford Motorsports catalog. I would
at least do a cost comparison if you are seriously looking at cylinder head replacement.
them other than at a dealership. If you get used ones they would probably have to be
reconditioned which would cost money. I like Dart cast iron cylinder heads for small
block Fords. They come fully assembled with a performance valve job and springs to
match most cams you would want to use. I don't sell or have anything to do with them
but have used them in the past with good results. They can be purchased at Summitt
or Jegs and for a while aleast a few years ago from Ford Motorsports catalog. I would
at least do a cost comparison if you are seriously looking at cylinder head replacement.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
I think if you changed heads along with the cam and exhaust it will then need a MAF conversion.. doubt the SD would keep up with that as fuel requirements will be a lot different across the whole powerband.
As for an exhaust system, maybe shorty headers to a Magnaflow or Bassini Y pipe with a cat out to a 3" single with a large volume muffler from anybody except Flowmaster.. they're all too loud. The Dynomax SuperTurbo is actually one of the quieter performance mufflers available.
Rocker arms are available at places like Summit Racing, SBF heads take pedistal mount rockers and lots of brands are availabe for these motors from companies like Comp Cams, Ford, or Scorpion to name a few.
As for an exhaust system, maybe shorty headers to a Magnaflow or Bassini Y pipe with a cat out to a 3" single with a large volume muffler from anybody except Flowmaster.. they're all too loud. The Dynomax SuperTurbo is actually one of the quieter performance mufflers available.
Rocker arms are available at places like Summit Racing, SBF heads take pedistal mount rockers and lots of brands are availabe for these motors from companies like Comp Cams, Ford, or Scorpion to name a few.
Thread Starter
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 58
Likes: 1
Hey thanks for the info guys I appreciate it. I think what I will do then is the 5.0 HO cam, pedistal mount 1.7 rocker arms and the exhaust setup you recommended escept I was just curious why in the past have you have said that long tube headers are the way to go? Is this setup just a bolt up kit or will there be fab work involved? One last thing how many o2 sensors are on our trucks and are they located before and after the cat converter? Thanks again guys
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
I called Flowmaster and that's exactly what their tech said to do. I told him I had an inline-6 and wanted the efficiency but none of the sound and it turned out to be exactly what I wanted!