Choosing a cam for 5.0L HO

[D.T.Starr]

What are you opinions on the best camshaft for my 5.0L? I am now forced to tear into the top end of the engine so I may swap the cam as well.

The engine is a stock 1992 mustang HO with Edelbrock upper and lower EFI intake, custom long tube headers 1.5” primaries to 2.5” exhaust (no crossover pipe). The truck has hydroboost brakes and is a trail truck designed for everything from slow crawling to hammer down mud bogging.
I will be running 75-100hp shot of (dry) nitrous eventually. When the heads are off I will get them ported. I want good power right of idle, and (I think) I would like a little more than the standard Ford racing B303 and was looking for peoples experience with what is out there.

The original plan was to run the engine as is for a year or two then do a full rebuild with a stroker kit when I had the money, but the coolant in the oil and white smoke and sparks shooting out of the exhaust changed the priorities.

This is the truck
http://therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4693

 

[AKBroncoII]

Keep the stock cam. It is good for more horsepower than you have.

 

[skinner]

If it helps you at all, in my 88 ranger I droppeda 5.0 in it.
I decided I wanted a stage 2 cam(baddad can give you the ford number, it was a trickflow stage ii). The baby flew at high rpms. But I realized too little too late, you dont want that in a truck...you want a low RPM cam to feel like you have some nuts between your legs. Stick with the stock cam or a stage 1. A bigger cam is anemic in a truck used as a truck.
Good luck friend.

 

[baddad457]

Can't beat the stock F4TE roller for idle-up grunt. 256/266* Advertised duration, .445/.473 lift with 1.7 rockers. 116*LSA

 

[D.T.Starr]

Thanks for the replies
badad, just to clear the F4TE cam come stock in 1992 mustang motors?

 

[baddad457]

No, that would be the H.O cam. The F4TE was used in all the 94-97 E & F series vans and trucks with a 5.0 and the 96-2001 Explorer/Mountaineer 5.0. Plus the roller 351W. The H.O cam specs are kinda fuzzy on duration, the advertised duration was either 266* or 276* depending on what source you get it from. Ford's 5.0 book listed it as 276/266 (int/exh) Lift was .445/.445 with 1.6 rockers, .473/.473 with 1.7's. 115.5* LSA.