Cam Lift Question

Okay...

I have been searching the net looking for an answer to this basic and often asked quesiton:

WHat is the max lift you can get for a roller GT motor (1994)?

I have found many answers. I know I have to make sure the clearance is adequate but I hate to buy a cam only to check clearance and find out I'm way off so what I'm really looking for is how big and be safe?

If anyone can give me a site or has the knowledge I'd appreciate it.

Thanks, Don

P.S. I'm asking because I'm looking into new heads and while I have the motor out of the car I'd like to do a cam swap too.

Question Don....what is your general use going to be for the car?. That will have a huge effect on which cam to use.

I'll be using the car primarily as a street brawler but since it'll be a weekend only thing it doesn't have to be the ulitmate in street freindliness, you know?

I did find a forum with a very detailed answer to the basic question I have. According to that forum the motor will take up to a .520 lift if the LSA is no more than 114. That's plenty big right now. Until I do a full rebuild and swap in some serious pistons I'm thinking of staying around .500 anyway.

BUt that brings me to a good question. WHat are people's thoughts around the right cam for a ported set of gt40p?

And if I decide to step up to the AFR 185s?

Just looking for ideas/options.

Thanks, Don

If I were to run a stock cast head, even if it were ported and had the proper pistons that had adequate clearance for any size cam lift, I would not run anything larger than .550 lift, but like I said, thats for a stock casting. As far as AFR 185's go, they'll basically take anything you can throw at them.
Ford motorsport has a cam that meets your current criteria. It's an F-303.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=FMS%2DM%2D6250%2DF303&autoview=sku

Here's a little something, A friend of mine has an 85 gt mustang with stock internals, ported e-7 heads, stock cam, performer rpm intake, and a 600 holley mechenical secondary.
Trans is a g-force 5spd, 8.8 with 4.10's and a rear suspension that's all about hooking.
This car has seen the best of 13.20's on the motor, and 12.70's on spray. This is with a stereo system and a full interior. The car is also shifted 5500-5800 rpm.
The reason I'm telling you this is because, with the right parts selection you could have yourself a real screamer with very little money. Remember though, all of the power is useless if you can't put it to the ground.

I've been really pleased with my car's performance so far actually. It has almost exactly the setup your friend has minus the spray...ported e7s, 600 holley, performer rpm intake, bbk long tubes, T5, was running 3.23s but going to 3.55 this summer. It keeps up with the modern cars pretty easily. I'm all about lower cost speed especially with the economy like it is but every now and then I come across a really cool deal and I start thinking.

I'm aiming for the 185s because I want to go to a 347 or 351 eventually and I can migrate the heads over. I also found this crazy good deal on a B&M 177 blower and I'm drooling and I thought the 185s would better support the huffer. BUt then again, I"m not sure I want to go to a huffer on the stock internals. But at low boost I think it would live quite a while and if it starts to give up it gives me a reason to go to the new motor. The deal on the huffer is so good though that I may buy it first and drop it on what I have and wait ont he heads. I can run it at 6psi with the "F" cam and my ported E7's and grab about 90hp over what I have, at least that's what I've read. More thinking...

What suspension is your friend running?

Don

I think he still has the old school southsides, but he may have changed over to team z parts....at least he was talking about making the switch.