I have a 1987 ford 302 block casting number e7te roller block. First question is im trying to order some parts for this thing and don't know what will match up. First of all i want this motor to be a nice street/strip combo nothing insane like 650+ horsepower. I was looking at an Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake Manifold Part number 7121 from Summit/Jegs. In the Summit magazine it matches it with a Edelbrock Performer RPM cam but it is not a roller cam. If my block is a ROLLER block do I absolutely have to have a roller cam? What is more powerful? I'm assuming a roller cam. I am relatively new to blockbuilding so i need some assistance.Second question is does the intake have to be especially made for a roller cam or can i go ahead and order this intake and work out the cam problems later? I also looked at Summit Hypereutectic Pistons. they are cheap like 89.00 for a set of 8 will they be worth a chit? Thanks for any and all help

 

anyone?

 

First. How fast are you wanting to go? Yes you need to keep it a roller cam. Edelbrock makes the same cam for a roller engine. When building a Good Combo you need to keep everthing that you buy matched to the same RPM range for it to work. Say you buy a intake with a rpm range of idle to 5000 rpms and buy a cam that is designed to work from1500 - 6500 that is not a match. Those pistons work fine forstreet engines. Keep in mind the transmission and gears play a big roll in the right setup also.

 

1) No, you don't have to use a roller. BUT, the roller cam core is MUCH better than a flat tappet cam core. There are break in issues with FT cams that you don't have with roller (grinding lobes off). If you go to a FT cam youWILL have to change the lifters and distributor gear.

2) Both can be made to make the same power and range. You can argue that the roller will make more power on the same design due to less friction.

3) It would be better to intall the intake and the cam at the same time, this way you only have to do the intake gaskets valve, cover gaskets, coolant, and oil one time.

4) You get what you pay for, it's cheap for a reason. Nuff said.

*5) One last thing, when you change the cam you HAVE TO update thevalvesprings and retainers to match the cam! Also what about a head upgrade?