stangrookie302

Hello all, I want to change out my heads and cam to get a little lope and hp gain and I need your thoughts. Would it be wise to replace the cam and the heads at the same time? or does it matter if I change out the cam then heads or vice versa? I would imagine I should get a cam that is applicable to the heads correct? 93, 302, 5.0HO, 273 gears, CAI with 70 mm MAF bbk, stock throttle. stock exhaust up to the flows with 2 3/4 in. tail.

Also, I live in this moronic state of CA and I need e303 cams which I can get from AM.com but I don't know nothing about the heads. I heard gt40's are good and they are within my budget but I don't know nothin about the cc's or volume this and combustion that. Thanks for your help.

dawson1112

If you can get the cam and heads at the same time you should definatly do them together to save tearing things apart again and also having to reset all the valves and you may even need a different set of rods with new heads compared to the old ones. I say do it all at once.

stangrookie302

Cam, heads, and push rods. Shall I get a new timing belt as well? And what about if I wanted to get roller rockers, weather it would be 1.6 or 1.7, and which ones of those should I get and three, what about hydraulic roller lifters?

I'm just a grocery guy and don't know much, but that's why I'm doin my research

mjr46

^^^chain not belt and 1.6's are what you need and no need to replace roller lifter, = reuse with choice of cam

stangrookie302

Roller rockers would be a good idea for less metal to metal contact? and I meant chain. Thanks for your help.

dawson1112

I think id stay away from the roller rockers unless you plan on forking out about 300 bucks for a really good set. as far as roller rockers go...... cheap = needle bearings all over the place and a huge mess if they break. Thats just my opinion . Im sure others will agree and some will not.

stangrookie302

I can afford 300 bucks no problem. Money is kinda not an issue, besides if it was then I can save up some more. I plan on getting a t-56 6 speed anyways and that's about 4 grand. If I do get the "good set" of Roller Rockers, I shouldn't have a problem in the long run correct? I don't do cheap, especially if I'm going inside the engine.

mjr46

never had a roller rocker fail causing needle bearings everywhere, set them up right and no issue, heck you could make an argument of not modifying any motor cause reliability goes down as more hp is added..........put the roller rockers on and be done with it.

bluebeastsrt

If money is not an issue I'd replace everything while the engine is down. Starter, water pump, timing chain, etc. I'd replace the intake and do headers also. Do it once and be done with it. Tearing the engine apart sounds fun but it's a giant pain in the ***. Summit has a Ton of quality roller rockers from $200 up that are built for high HP engines. They'll last forever.

stangrookie302

What would you all put in a 302 small block 5.0ho with a e303 cam that is legal in california? I'm looking for the proper head to go with the e303 cam. Not to smart about the CC's and intake stuff and exhaust 62 stuff. I'm lookin for a good "combo" heads cam and what not. Sure I'll replace my rods and roller rocks.