rebuilding a HO 302..need cam advice please

[88'stang]

I'm new here, and to mustangs in general, so please bear with me. LOL

My husband is rebuilding a 302 HO motor that a buddy of his gave him, and I need some advice on a cam. This is his project car, and very first rebuild.

Right now everything is ripped down, but he is rebuilding it using GT40p heads. He's replacing all the bearings, the timing chain, the oil pump, water pump and all the gaskets as well. He's doing new pushrods, rocker arms, rebuilding the transmission (manual), a 70mm throttle body, and that's all I can think off of the top of my head. He really likes the e303 cam with the GT40p heads, but I am wondering if there is a specific type of cam we should get.
I know the stock one is hydrolic (sp), but after looking at summit, I see the one from ford is a hydrolic roller cam.. so I am assuming hydrolic lifters would be the best choice as well?

Also, it mentioned something about that cam was not for speed density applications, and although his motor is HO, it's non mass air so does that mean it's speed density? I have read that on this forum before, but still unsure. I hope that makes sence. lol

And lastly... he wants to do roller rockers and I have read on here that a lot of people use the gt40p heads, e303 cam, and 1.7 rr. How do we know if we could do 1.7rr?

My husband's birthday is coming up and some of these mods we cannot afford to do and I am trying to make it work as a surprise, and I want to be sure I get the right things. I really appreciate you help!

Thanks!

[351wStang]

Ok, I'm gonna start at the top and break things down for you.

1988 was the last year of SD (Speed Density) for the Mustang. In 1989 they went to MAF (Mass Air Flow). So, your husbands car is indeed SD.

The stock cam in a 1988 5.0 HO is hydraulic roller. The E303 camshaft is hydraulic roller and will work just fine with the GT40 heads. Personally I would go a little larger on the cam, but I dont know what you are looking for overall. Honestly though, for the beginner the E303 is a great cam with good driveability.

Your motor should have 16 individual hydraulic roller lifters. The lifters will be held in place by a "wishbone".
Here is a link: http://store.summitracing.com/partde...0&autoview=sku
You can buy stock replacement hydraulic roller lifters from Summit as well.

If your husband wants to run 1.7 rocker arms I dont see a problem with that at all. 1.7's will really help the E303 cam out alot. Just check to see if the GT40p heads require pedestal or stud mounted rockers.
I like my Comp Cams Pro Magnum roller rockers. But for working on a budget the Harland Sharp rockers make a nice piece.


You will want to check for proper pushrod length when changing the heads, cam, and lifters. Summit sells a tool for the job, it doesn't cost much, but it will save you money in the long run so you dont buy the wrong parts. A Summit tech can explain how to check for pushrod length much easier than I can type it out. So when the time comes give those guys a shout.


Good luck! Let me know if you have any more questions.

[88'stang]

Thank you so much for all of that info!

Okay, so the when it says the cam can't be used on a speed density application, do we need to get some type of computer chip or does that not apply if we get the GT40p heads?

I think he was going to go bigger with the cam but he had mentioned that I think the e303 cam is the biggest he can go without having to modify the valve springs..since we are paying for the new heads anyway... I hop I have that right. lol

I will definately give the people at summit a call, which should be a TRIP trying to talk me through measuring this without my husband knowing! LOL

I really appreciate your help with this!

[351wStang]

You can get a reputable dyno shop to burn a custom chip for you. It will make the SD work with your specific modifications.

Regardless of the cam he chooses he needs to check for piston to valve clearance. Summit can explain that one as well.