I'm getting new heads (vortec), new cam, new intake, new carb, new headers, and a high flow cat. So far I've decided on the vortec head kit from Scoggin Dickey (assembled heads, Edelbrock Performer intake, and all the bolts and gaskets) for $680, I've also decided on Hooker Super Comp shorties and either a catco or mor-flow 3" cat. What cam should I get to go along w/ this, it'd be nice to have a little bit of a lumpy idle, but not too much, and it has to be streetable (15mpg if possible). Also what carb should I get to go along w/ it all?


Should I just stick w/ the Performer line all the way? Performer intake (0-5500rpm), Performer Plus Cam (0-5500rpm), Performer 600cfm Carb (recommended by Jegs for Performer applications)?

Should I worry about ignition stuff now too, or can that wait until I've done the $1500 worth of work? If I should do it all at the same time, what type of ignition stuff should I start looking at?


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1986 Z28 LG4 M5
Alpine 6x9's 2 10" MTX Thunder 4000's MTX Thunder 102 Amp Hooker Aero-Chamber Cat-Back

 

Well it would be hard to tell you an exact cam to work with. But as for some specs I would look for something about .530 to .540 lift with 1.5 rockers, and probably something around 110 lobe. Just be sure to check two things. One, make sure your heads can support this much lift and two that you have valve springs to support the lift. S far as brand I would personally probably look at Lunati, but they're all very good. As for your ignition question. It sure could hurt to drop and MSD ir something in there at the same time. They're relatively inexpensive and you'll be sure to have enough spark. Good luck.

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87 GTA 350 L98
K&N filters, beefed up TH-700r4, Accel Manifold, Ported Plenum and Runners, Fuel Press. Regulator 49.5psi, air foil, modified MAF, SLP cold air box, Hypertech Thermomaster chip w/160 thermostat, MSD 6AL and Blaster 3, B&M shift kit & megashifter, Moser Ford 9in Rear with Richmond 3.50 and locker, Edlebrock TES headers and Cat Back,Hotchkis setup in rear, Poly suspension and Koni in the front, relocated MAT, bypassed IAC, 300 lbs lighter

Fastest ET's
Stock-0-60 6.8, 1/4 15.0 @ 94
Best-0-60 4.7, 1/4 12.8 @ 112
Norm-0-60 5.2, 1/4 13.2 @ 108

 

You have to be reakl careful what you do about a cam. Those heads have a problem with lift above about .480", because the retainers hit the valve guides. The exact amount of space available varies from one head to another, but that's about all you have to work with. Also, the valve springs that come on them are just ordinary stock springs; they're not able to withstand lift more than .480 either. Keep in mind, they're not performance heads, they're replacement truck heads. They flow pretty good for an out-of-the-box stock head, especially at the price; but they just aren't a performance piece.

I'd recommend a Comp XE268H.

COMPETITION CAMS CAMSHAFT SPECIFICATION SHEET

PART # 12-242-2
GRIND NUMBER: CS XE268H-10
ENGINE: CHEV SML BLK 265-400
INTAKE EXHAUST
VALVE ADJUSTMENT HYD HYD
GROSS VALVE LIFT .477 .480
.006 TAPPET LIFT 268 280
VALVE TIMING OPEN CLOSE
AT .006 INT 28 BTDC 60 ABDC
EXH 74 BBDC 26 ATDC
THESE SPECS ARE FOR CAM INSTALLED
AT 106 INTAKE CENTER LINE
INTAKE EXHAUST
DURATION AT .050 224 230
LOBE LIFT .3180 .3200
LOBE SEPARATION 110
THIS CAM SHOULD USE SPRING # 981-16

You'll also benefit from some decent rocker arms. Since you have to stay below such a low lift, use the Comp 1412 (I think) 1.5 steel roller-tip rockers. Stamped sheet metal ones are garbage, with or without a roller tip, because of the amount that they flex.

If you don't already have some sort of non-computerized distributor, you'll need one. Accel has one for about $120 IIRC that is adequate to the task at hand.

This combo ought to give you well over 250 HP at the crank, get decent mileage, and not break the bank putting it together.

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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports

[This message has been edited by RB83L69 (edited April 07, 2001).]