E-cam vs B-cam?

Hozer 88GTConv · 09-14-2002, 07:45 PM

Dilema....
You see that I am putting a SQ blower in at this time.
I have had the B-cam for a year and like it's throaty idle but good driveability characteristics.
I want the lift of the E-cam in order to get 500 hp at the flywheel at 8 PSI, but I want good idle tunability and low speed behavior.
Does anyone have a E-cam or one like it on a daily driver?

specs...

b-cam(in now)
480-480 224-224 107-117

e-cam(thinkin really hard about it)
498-498 220-220 110-110

My latest additional parts include a 77 Pro-M, custom chip(waiting for cam specs), 42# injectors (I don't even want to think about detonation), and a MSD BTM, T-rex in-line.

Like I said this is a daily driver, I just want a 500hp daily driver.
(Doesn't everybody?)

88workcar · 09-14-2002, 07:55 PM

I have had both. The E is in right now. I have speed density and have NO PROBLEMS. I even bring my daughter to school in the mornings before going to work. Sitting in that stop and go traffic does no harm either. I really believe that a custom or "blower" cam would be better than a ford shelf cam. Regaurdless that mass air meter will take care of you with what ever cam you want.

Hozer 88GTConv · 09-15-2002, 07:33 AM

Appreciate the info.
I have every intent to look into a "custom" grind for my app.
Thanks again.

bigblockcoupe · 09-15-2002, 05:25 PM

i have the e-cam in my cobra and it works great with the blower but for my coupe i chose a custom grind .525/.536 218/232 and i plan on supercharging it soon i think it's gonna scream.

Hozer 88GTConv · 09-15-2002, 05:55 PM

I like the lift of your cam but I have flattop pistons in my block with tfs heads so I have to watch anything over .535" and 235 duration.
Just checked this months MM&FF and they have a nice supercharged combo at 500 flywheel hp @ 8 PSI with a Crane cam that matches the mild b-cam specs.
Impressive, but I think that with an e-cam(or something with a little less duration and a little more lift) it might eek out 10 or so more hp.
Thanks again...

jruppert · 09-16-2002, 12:14 AM

Hozer, your 88 should have flycut notches in the top of those pistons. As far as I know they are the same as '94-'95 except yours are forged and mine are the hypereutic. I have a e-303 cam with gt-40 p heads. I had to get a custom chip because sometime the idle would surge. After the chip it was fine.

bigblockcoupe · 09-16-2002, 12:20 AM

if your heads have 2.02 intake valves i would go with the e-cam i'm sure your pistons have the same valve reliefs as stock but with 2.02 valves you have to be a little more careful still be sure to check your piston to valve clearance better to be safe than sorry.

93GTDIN · 09-16-2002, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Hozer, your 88 should have flycut notches in the top of those pistons. As far as I know they are the same as '94-'95 except yours are forged and mine are the hypereutic. I have a e-303 cam with gt-40 p heads. I had to get a custom chip because sometime the idle would surge. After the chip it was fine.

How did the chip help your idle? I ask beacause my idle surges, and despite all my efforts to find vacuum leaks and replace emissions equipment, it refuses to idle well!

Hozer 88GTConv · 09-16-2002, 08:22 AM

I have TRW Flattop Pistons w/o valve reliefs in my rebuilt motor. I also have 1.7 RR's which limits my lift.
I believe the E-cam or something in that range with maybe a slightly different duration will be the one tha works the best.
As for the "chip", I personally consider it the best way to manage an aggressive cam and motor setup and maintain driveability.

jruppert · 09-16-2002, 09:11 AM

Basically what would happen is I would start up the car and it the idle would jump up and down and it would idle uncontrollably. If I were to take off and drive it a block or two then come to a stop then it would idle fine. If I were to shut the car off for a few minutes then start it up it would have a difficult time starting. I would have to take the gas pedal and press it to the floor while rolling it over. It would then start but idle rough again. I called a place called, Auburn Performance and he told me it was because the computer has a difficult time running the cam. He sold me a custom chip and it made some other changes to the computer also. I put the chip in and it started right up and idled fine. Well it did idle a little rough but that was the lope of the cam

I never had any trouble after that. I would highly recommend getting a chip. I am not talking about a hypertech chip either. I dont know how these work and as far as I know its a generic program. I had to tell these guys everything I had done to my car. They then made the chip of my info.

Sonics2042 · 09-16-2002, 06:54 PM

The AOD doesn't really like the E-303 cam. I have that sucker in right now, and sometimes while changing from drive to reverse it would bog or die. If I give it a tiny bit of gas then there is no problem.

I think it should be fine once I get my T5 in, but for now it is kinda annoying.

Great sounding cam, IMO though.

Thanks,
DoranW

93GTDIN · 09-16-2002, 07:16 PM

I basically have the problems you guys are describing. Poor vacuum at idle, horrible idle surge, and sometimes it stalls when I put it in reverse. How was your gas mileage before and after you got the chip? (my gas mileage is awful)

Eric4Nitrous · 09-16-2002, 08:14 PM

why choose the alphabet cams?? Theirs like a million different cam choices out there. Comp makes good cams, as does lunati, and others. B cam doesn't make that great of hp, neither does the E cam. after about 4500 the b and e cams are done with.

bigblockcoupe · 09-16-2002, 09:47 PM

i like the e-cam i run it to 6200 in my supercharged cobra and it screams it's still pulling hard when i shift i need to get an rpm extender so i can shift at 6400 it's still pulling like mad when i shift.

Eric4Nitrous · 09-16-2002, 10:29 PM

Maybe it's not the cam you feel pulling. Superchargers are great up top on the rpm range..so i highly doubt it's the cam. The E cam isn't the greatest high rpm cam out there

bigblockcoupe · 09-17-2002, 07:51 AM

I wasn't saying it was just the cam I was just stating that for my application the e-cam works great in my coupe I have a custom ground cam and I have no doubts it is better than the e-cam but it also cost twice as much the e-cam is a good all around performance cam it gives you more aggressive lift and duration but still retains good idle quality.

Sonics2042 · 09-17-2002, 11:49 AM

I disagree, I think the E cam is a pretty good upper RPM cam. It sucks down low. On my car (N/A!...for now), the power band is from about 2600-5600...

Thanks,
DoranW

Eric4Nitrous · 09-17-2002, 01:12 PM

That's funny because every mustang that i've ridden in that's had a E or a B cam has fell on it's face after 4500 rpm. And all these cars had intake, heads, full exhaust, big throttle bodies, maf's, etc, low rear end gears. So it won't convince me that it's a good cam cuz it's not.

andy669 · 09-17-2002, 03:01 PM

Hozer Why not go with the stock cam? You'll find out with the S trim that you dont need a big cam to make the power you are looking for. You can make 550 at the wheels with the stocker and still retain driveability, and thats not even intercooled or overspinning the blower either.

I would seriously consider it.

Andy

exgmguy · 09-17-2002, 03:31 PM

I have the E cam. My car makes great power. Peaked at a little over 6000 rpm on the dyno. There are better I am sure, but it works fine for me.

09-14-2002, 07:45 PM	#1
Hozer 88GTConv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 706	E-cam vs B-cam? Dilema.... You see that I am putting a SQ blower in at this time. I have had the B-cam for a year and like it's throaty idle but good driveability characteristics. I want the lift of the E-cam in order to get 500 hp at the flywheel at 8 PSI, but I want good idle tunability and low speed behavior. Does anyone have a E-cam or one like it on a daily driver? specs... b-cam(in now) 480-480 224-224 107-117 e-cam(thinkin really hard about it) 498-498 220-220 110-110 My latest additional parts include a 77 Pro-M, custom chip(waiting for cam specs), 42# injectors (I don't even want to think about detonation), and a MSD BTM, T-rex in-line. Like I said this is a daily driver, I just want a 500hp daily driver. (Doesn't everybody?) __________________ 1988 GT Convertible 331 10:1 TW heads, GT-40 intake, MSD, TRW flattops, B Cam w/ 1.7's, MAC exhaust, 24's, 70 TB, 76 MAF, 3.73's, Pro 5.0, Koni's, Anderson PMS, Wideband 02, yatta, yatta... One week with new motor, two speeding tickets...joy

09-14-2002, 07:55 PM	#2
88workcar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Pierre Part, La. U.S.A. Posts: 1,850	I have had both. The E is in right now. I have speed density and have NO PROBLEMS. I even bring my daughter to school in the mornings before going to work. Sitting in that stop and go traffic does no harm either. I really believe that a custom or "blower" cam would be better than a ford shelf cam. Regaurdless that mass air meter will take care of you with what ever cam you want. __________________ 88workcar 1988 Mustang LX 342. 417rwhp @ 6800. 28 X 10 ET Drag, 4.30s, 10.69 @ 126.43 1.42 60ft. 11.13 @ 127.7 on BFGs 1.72 60ft Rice Hater # 42 To be old and wise, You must first be young and stupid I'm somewhere in tthe middle.

09-15-2002, 07:33 AM	#3
Hozer 88GTConv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 706	thanks Appreciate the info. I have every intent to look into a "custom" grind for my app. Thanks again. __________________ 1988 GT Convertible 331 10:1 TW heads, GT-40 intake, MSD, TRW flattops, B Cam w/ 1.7's, MAC exhaust, 24's, 70 TB, 76 MAF, 3.73's, Pro 5.0, Koni's, Anderson PMS, Wideband 02, yatta, yatta... One week with new motor, two speeding tickets...joy

09-15-2002, 05:25 PM	#4
bigblockcoupe Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: broken arrow Posts: 212	i have the e-cam in my cobra and it works great with the blower but for my coupe i chose a custom grind .525/.536 218/232 and i plan on supercharging it soon i think it's gonna scream. __________________ Rice Haters Club member #68 '93 Cobra 10.20@135 '89 Gt Coupe 12.20@115

09-15-2002, 05:55 PM	#5
Hozer 88GTConv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 706	TFS heads... I like the lift of your cam but I have flattop pistons in my block with tfs heads so I have to watch anything over .535" and 235 duration. Just checked this months MM&FF and they have a nice supercharged combo at 500 flywheel hp @ 8 PSI with a Crane cam that matches the mild b-cam specs. Impressive, but I think that with an e-cam(or something with a little less duration and a little more lift) it might eek out 10 or so more hp. Thanks again... __________________ 1988 GT Convertible 331 10:1 TW heads, GT-40 intake, MSD, TRW flattops, B Cam w/ 1.7's, MAC exhaust, 24's, 70 TB, 76 MAF, 3.73's, Pro 5.0, Koni's, Anderson PMS, Wideband 02, yatta, yatta... One week with new motor, two speeding tickets...joy

09-16-2002, 12:14 AM	#6
jruppert Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Reed City Mi Posts: 106	Hozer, your 88 should have flycut notches in the top of those pistons. As far as I know they are the same as '94-'95 except yours are forged and mine are the hypereutic. I have a e-303 cam with gt-40 p heads. I had to get a custom chip because sometime the idle would surge. After the chip it was fine.

09-16-2002, 12:20 AM	#7
bigblockcoupe Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: broken arrow Posts: 212	if your heads have 2.02 intake valves i would go with the e-cam i'm sure your pistons have the same valve reliefs as stock but with 2.02 valves you have to be a little more careful still be sure to check your piston to valve clearance better to be safe than sorry. __________________ Rice Haters Club member #68 '93 Cobra 10.20@135 '89 Gt Coupe 12.20@115

09-16-2002, 08:22 AM	#9
Hozer 88GTConv Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 706	TRW Pistons... I have TRW Flattop Pistons w/o valve reliefs in my rebuilt motor. I also have 1.7 RR's which limits my lift. I believe the E-cam or something in that range with maybe a slightly different duration will be the one tha works the best. As for the "chip", I personally consider it the best way to manage an aggressive cam and motor setup and maintain driveability. __________________ 1988 GT Convertible 331 10:1 TW heads, GT-40 intake, MSD, TRW flattops, B Cam w/ 1.7's, MAC exhaust, 24's, 70 TB, 76 MAF, 3.73's, Pro 5.0, Koni's, Anderson PMS, Wideband 02, yatta, yatta... One week with new motor, two speeding tickets...joy

09-16-2002, 09:11 AM	#10
jruppert Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Reed City Mi Posts: 106	Basically what would happen is I would start up the car and it the idle would jump up and down and it would idle uncontrollably. If I were to take off and drive it a block or two then come to a stop then it would idle fine. If I were to shut the car off for a few minutes then start it up it would have a difficult time starting. I would have to take the gas pedal and press it to the floor while rolling it over. It would then start but idle rough again. I called a place called, Auburn Performance and he told me it was because the computer has a difficult time running the cam. He sold me a custom chip and it made some other changes to the computer also. I put the chip in and it started right up and idled fine. Well it did idle a little rough but that was the lope of the cam I never had any trouble after that. I would highly recommend getting a chip. I am not talking about a hypertech chip either. I dont know how these work and as far as I know its a generic program. I had to tell these guys everything I had done to my car. They then made the chip of my info.

09-16-2002, 06:54 PM	#11
Sonics2042 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 381	The AOD doesn't really like the E-303 cam. I have that sucker in right now, and sometimes while changing from drive to reverse it would bog or die. If I give it a tiny bit of gas then there is no problem. I think it should be fine once I get my T5 in, but for now it is kinda annoying. Great sounding cam, IMO though. Thanks, DoranW __________________ What I have: 1990 Red Mustang 5.0 LX: [BBK X-Pipe]-[MAC Cat-Back Exhaust] [MAC Cold Air Intake]-[BBK Equal Shorties] [3.55 Gears]-[Cobra Intake Manifold (Upper and Lower] [E-303 Cam]-[Granetelli Mass Air Flow Sensor] [Front and rear sway bars]-[New black carpet and seats.] [Adjustable Fuel Regulator]-[T5 Conversion w/ K. Cobra Clutch/Hurst STS] [Cobra Throttle Body]-[130A Alt. Conversion] Thinking about: Aftermarket Heads! Vortech A-Trim

09-16-2002, 07:16 PM	#12
93GTDIN Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Live music capital of the world, TX Posts: 324	I basically have the problems you guys are describing. Poor vacuum at idle, horrible idle surge, and sometimes it stalls when I put it in reverse. How was your gas mileage before and after you got the chip? (my gas mileage is awful) __________________ 96 Cobra - a bit too stock. 14.0 @ 101

09-16-2002, 08:14 PM	#13
Eric4Nitrous Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Va Posts: 1,122	why choose the alphabet cams?? Theirs like a million different cam choices out there. Comp makes good cams, as does lunati, and others. B cam doesn't make that great of hp, neither does the E cam. after about 4500 the b and e cams are done with. __________________ 68 Camaro Gene Fulton 632ci Two stages of Jug 8.41 164mph Rockingham 1-26-03

09-16-2002, 09:47 PM	#14
bigblockcoupe Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: broken arrow Posts: 212	i like the e-cam i run it to 6200 in my supercharged cobra and it screams it's still pulling hard when i shift i need to get an rpm extender so i can shift at 6400 it's still pulling like mad when i shift. __________________ Rice Haters Club member #68 '93 Cobra 10.20@135 '89 Gt Coupe 12.20@115

09-16-2002, 10:29 PM	#15
Eric4Nitrous Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Va Posts: 1,122	Maybe it's not the cam you feel pulling. Superchargers are great up top on the rpm range..so i highly doubt it's the cam. The E cam isn't the greatest high rpm cam out there __________________ 68 Camaro Gene Fulton 632ci Two stages of Jug 8.41 164mph Rockingham 1-26-03

09-17-2002, 07:51 AM	#16
bigblockcoupe Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: broken arrow Posts: 212	I wasn't saying it was just the cam I was just stating that for my application the e-cam works great in my coupe I have a custom ground cam and I have no doubts it is better than the e-cam but it also cost twice as much the e-cam is a good all around performance cam it gives you more aggressive lift and duration but still retains good idle quality. __________________ Rice Haters Club member #68 '93 Cobra 10.20@135 '89 Gt Coupe 12.20@115

09-17-2002, 11:49 AM	#17
Sonics2042 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 381	I disagree, I think the E cam is a pretty good upper RPM cam. It sucks down low. On my car (N/A!...for now), the power band is from about 2600-5600... Thanks, DoranW __________________ What I have: 1990 Red Mustang 5.0 LX: [BBK X-Pipe]-[MAC Cat-Back Exhaust] [MAC Cold Air Intake]-[BBK Equal Shorties] [3.55 Gears]-[Cobra Intake Manifold (Upper and Lower] [E-303 Cam]-[Granetelli Mass Air Flow Sensor] [Front and rear sway bars]-[New black carpet and seats.] [Adjustable Fuel Regulator]-[T5 Conversion w/ K. Cobra Clutch/Hurst STS] [Cobra Throttle Body]-[130A Alt. Conversion] Thinking about: Aftermarket Heads! Vortech A-Trim

09-17-2002, 01:12 PM	#18
Eric4Nitrous Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Va Posts: 1,122	That's funny because every mustang that i've ridden in that's had a E or a B cam has fell on it's face after 4500 rpm. And all these cars had intake, heads, full exhaust, big throttle bodies, maf's, etc, low rear end gears. So it won't convince me that it's a good cam cuz it's not. __________________ 68 Camaro Gene Fulton 632ci Two stages of Jug 8.41 164mph Rockingham 1-26-03

09-17-2002, 03:01 PM	#19
andy669 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Moline Il Posts: 901	Hozer Why not go with the stock cam? You'll find out with the S trim that you dont need a big cam to make the power you are looking for. You can make 550 at the wheels with the stocker and still retain driveability, and thats not even intercooled or overspinning the blower either. I would seriously consider it. Andy __________________ 88 coupe 91 LX NMRA Pure Street 5120

09-17-2002, 03:31 PM	#20
exgmguy Registered Member Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: Utica, Michigan Posts: 2,631	I have the E cam. My car makes great power. Peaked at a little over 6000 rpm on the dyno. There are better I am sure, but it works fine for me. __________________ 1988 Mustang GT stock bottom 302, C4 10.9 @ 128 with 8 psi of Novi 1000 boost!----STOLEN 1989 Mustang notchback Warmed up 306 with a Procharger.