Hi all.. I have a 65 mustang with with a 4bbl holey carb and intake maniflold. I want to get some more performance out of the 302 engine by adding headers and cams (and cam lifters). There are many choices out there. Any advise on which yields the optimum performance. I use the mustang as a weekend driver so something to squeese out some extra horses is needed without making major changes,

Thanks for your help!

 

There is no "best cam" per se.... A cam needs to be matched with engine components and selected in relation to what you want from the car.

The below considerations need to be taken into account..

Engine Compression Ratio
Type and specifications of the heads
Piston Clearance
Valve Springs
Valvetrain components
Type and specifications of intake manifold
Carburetor
What RPM range are you looking to run
How much power do you want
If automatic trans, are you willing to change the torque converter to a higher stall
Is fuel mileage a consideration

A cam is central to the overall configuration of an engine, the entire package should be considered prior to the purchase of a cam shaft. A "mild performance cam" (like a Ford Performance E303) can usually be installed in anotherwise stock engine with good results, but even so the entire package should be considered.

Often manufacturers will market their products with a pre determined "RPM Range", this can be helpfull in selecting components, but this alone certainly is not a science.

 

interesting.. can you please help a newbee out.. I mean I really don't understand the difference between the cams available.
Everything under the hood is stock, except for the edelbrock performer intake and the holey 4bbl carb.. while searching for a cam that works best for stock applications, what am I looking for? Thanks again!

 

Well then go with the performer plus cam, if you want a little more pep you can go with the Performer RPM and it should work....

 

1: There is only one cam.
2: Cam and headers on a tired stock motor is not worth the effort.
3: Get rid of the holley.
4: There is no such thing as a best cam. It comes down to personal preference and what cam fits well with any given engine combo.

 

whats wrong with the holley? Edelbrock is better ? thanks

 

For the average person the edelbrock is in my opinion better only because it is more user freindly to tune and has less problems. Holley carbs are great for all out performance but tend to need lots and lots of tunning to run as good as possible.

 

Save your $.... if the Holley carb is working for you keep it.....

What year is your 302?

What did the 302 come out of? (if you know of course) or is it a crate motor?

 

the holley is just fine and easy to tune also.And even if th motor is a lil tired a cam swap and header install will yield result however the best results are with a matched setup (cam,heads,headers) you get the point

 

thanks for the helpful info guys.. guess I will go for the matched setup.. performer carb, intake, and cams?