E303 cam install?

[bailey_57]

I just purchased a Ford Motorsport E303 cam for my 89 gt. its completely stock(heads, intake, etc.) Do i need anything besided the cam to install this in my car as it sits. If so what, and my biggest concern is the valve springs. Somebody told me it only operates with 1.7 roller rockers, and also that i need a ford motorsport timing chain. Thanks Jay

[tireburner163]

stock heads and intake = stock cam.


Your just gonna slow yourself down by pushing your powerband out of the rev range of your stock heads.

[bailey_57]

what if i change the intake, but stick with the heads for now, i don't really have money for heads at this time, or would i just be best to wait til i have all parts

[stang_racer20]

Originally posted by bailey_57
or would i just be best to wait til i have all parts

Precisely! You'll understand in the long run. Heads, cam and intake work hand-in-hand. If they are not matched up properly you wont see much of any power gains at all. You could have a set of ported Brodix heads on your car, but without a new intake/cam combo to match it you wouldn't really see shit. I dont want to discourage you at all, I'm just trying to save you some time and money. Good luck.

[bailey_57]

I want to use AFR 185's, and i'm thinking edelbrock performer rpm II but i want to make sure these are all a good working match. also if i have 3.73's wouldn't i be okay putting the cam in now just because the engine already revs quicker?

[420nitro]

No, just wait.
Do the gear swap and go play. Once you have all the other parts,(engine parts) then install at the same time (engine parts). You can put in a set of gears, exhust, pullies and all other bolt ons first. Upgrade the fuel system and then go buy your heads,intake and exhust. If you already bought that cam...go return it and use the money/credit for something that will benefit you more at your current combo. And don't forget the suspention aspect either.
My.02

[Dark_5.0]

First thing I would do is sell the e-303 cam and start over.

I have been fighting idle problems ever since I installed mine

Originally posted by bailey_57
I also if i have 3.73's wouldn't i be okay putting the cam in now just because the engine already revs quicker?

You heads were made to work in conjunction with the stock cam & intake. Regardless of what gears you have...the E-303 cam is a bad match to the stock heads.

[Mustang_289]

Dude - don't put the cam in unless you've got the heads and intake! My son learned this lesson the hard way. He went really crazy pickuped up an X303 and the Typhoon upper&lower intake. He didn't have the money for heads yet. I suggested to him - as you don't tell a teenager something - you should wait till you've got the whole package. Your car will only flow air as fast as your slowest component. In this case your bottleneck will be your stock heads.

Well, he installed the cam and intake, then he was complaining about the severe loss of power.

Put the 3.73 gears in with your stock combo - you'll be really happy for this. Gears are about the best "fell it in the seat" performance upgrade you can do.

Also be carefull with the AFR185, my son was looking at those heads great heads, but we would've had to notch the pistons. Picked up a set of AFR165s which are also good heads.

[Coupe50h]

Originally posted by Dark_5.0
First thing I would do is sell the e-303 cam and start over.

I have been fighting idle problems ever since I installed mine

Alot of people do, i did, but it can be worked out, and without drilling into the tb. at least I did.

but look at my combo, cam takes advantage of the ported heads, and the intake.
at least port the stock heads, 3 angle ect.....but if you can't do it right away, throw the cam in there, and upgrade heads later, at least it will sound cool.

oh yea, you dont have to use 1.7 rr's, although they will put your lift up around .529.... vs 1.6's .498 lift.
but with a bigger cam, i would not use the stock rockers, jmo.

[bailey_57]

what would be a good head and intake combo for my E cam? i definitely want to use the e303? i like the sound! i have no intentions of changing the stock pistons, i'm just trying to do the top end right now. i am trying to avoid cast heads. any replies are appreciated!
car already has
-steeda triax shifter
-373 gears
-hooker equal length shorties
-bassani x pipe
-2.5 flowmaster american thunder
-aluminum driveshaft

[tireburner163]

the E-303 is a somewhat decent cam, but not really that good.

If your on a budget port the stock heads, or throw on some GT-40 irons and add a Explorer intake.



-Josh, aka the tireburner