Help with 302 beef-up

[Guyver027]

I am gonna swap out my tired '86 5.0 for a '93 5.0 out of a t-bird. I have already done a mass air swap so that shouldn't limit my cam choice too much.
I wanted to put a cam in the motor before swapping, but since a future 351 swap is in the works for the fall... I dont want to spend a lot of money on the 302. I was wondering if an F303 cam would work with a stock long block. Especially in the valve/ piston clearence department. I was figuring If the f303 worked well in the 302 I would throw it in the 351 with a set 1.7 rockers,when the time came...
But if you all say don't bother... or stop being a moron and buy an E-cam for now... well I guess thats what I will have to do...
I have researched this a lot on other forums, and 50% of the people swear the f-cam will work awesome... and 50% say it runs like crap. Or that it just plain wont work and the valves will hit... My experience is that a good percentage of people dont know their ass from their elbow, probably have never even owned a mustang let alone built one, and are only blowing smoke up everyone elses ass... So I figued I'd do the most logical thing and ask the question myself...
Anyone have any helpfull suggestions or input let me know... It will be greatly appreciated..

[Dark_5.0]

Originally Posted by Guyver027

I am gonna swap out my tired '86 5.0 for a '93 5.0 out of a t-bird. I have already done a mass air swap so that shouldn't limit my cam choice too much.
I wanted to put a cam in the motor before swapping, but since a future 351 swap is in the works for the fall... I dont want to spend a lot of money on the 302. I was wondering if an F303 cam would work with a stock long block. Especially in the valve/ piston clearence department. I was figuring If the f303 worked well in the 302 I would throw it in the 351 with a set 1.7 rockers,when the time came...
But if you all say don't bother... or stop being a moron and buy an E-cam for now... well I guess thats what I will have to do...
I have researched this a lot on other forums, and 50% of the people swear the f-cam will work awesome... and 50% say it runs like crap. Or that it just plain wont work and the valves will hit... My experience is that a good percentage of people dont know their ass from their elbow, probably have never even owned a mustang let alone built one, and are only blowing smoke up everyone elses ass... So I figued I'd do the most logical thing and ask the question myself...
Anyone have any helpfull suggestions or input let me know... It will be greatly appreciated..

I ran a .566/.566 lift cam with 218/224 duration with 2.02, 1.60 valves and still didnt hit with stock pistons.

The F-cam wont hit as long as long as the pistons have factory valve reliefs in them. The problem is going to be the the factory valve springs are not up to task and you will experience valve float.

You would see a "way" bigger performance upgrade from installing a ported lower intake and grinding the thermactor bumps out of the exhaust ports. Under drive pulleys and an electric fan would also free up some HP.

[USMC302]

IMO, if your going with a 351 in the very near future, then go for somthing worth keeping, such as some gears or suspension, it will pay off with the 351 swap. Good luck.