B303 Cam

[Range98]

Alright my info: Some things are done, the rest are planned. Just trying to be accurate.
1997 mountaineer engine. Ported gt40 heads, gasket matched intake, racing exhaust, custom made headers, as of now stock rockers and valve springs. Looking to use the b303 cam but i have not seen it in the explorer engines. Not totally sure about the differences between the explorer engine and the older mustang engines. Is it compatible? and would i need new valve springs or rockers? Piston clearance? Any help would be appreciated. I've searched through a good deal of threads but couldn't find a definite answer. Sorry if i'm asking an already answered question but I could not find anything. Thanks

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

There should be no problem running it with an Explorer engine.

It is an awesome sounding cam... I checked into it but I just don't think it belongs in a 4x4 truck. The idle is pretty rough, it would be perfect for a drag truck or Mustang though.

 

[Range98]

There should be no problem running it with an Explorer engine.

It is an awesome sounding cam... I checked into it but I just don't think it belongs in a 4x4 truck. The idle is pretty rough, it would be perfect for a drag truck or Mustang though.

Good stuff, the 4x4 is only there for the winters I don't crawl with it or anything. I'm making a street truck. I wanted a good sounding cam. Any worries about valve springs or rockers?

 

[Range98]

I also heard that the explorer computer is not a fan of aftermarket cams, and won't run properly.

 

[V8 Level II]

A custom tune may be needed for the Ex PCM. After receiving complaints, Ford Racing posted this footnote for all of the small block "alphabet" cams:

Will not work with Explorer EEC-V EFI.

 

[shane96ranger]

Are you going to run an auto or manual trans?

A friend of a friend has a Factory Five Cobra kit with a bone stock 97 Explorer motor, except it has a B303 cam. It sounds quite nice. I have a crap cell phone recording (prior to the smart phone days) that I will try and find.



I've always wanted my Mustang to struggle to idle - listen to this:

 

[Tominator]

There isn't a problem with the motor or cam. The problem lies in drivability issue using the Explorer ECM. I'd be surprised if that Fac5 Mustang uses the Explorer electronics.

 

[shane96ranger]

I'd be surprised if that Fac5 Mustang uses the Explorer electronics.

It does not. It's got an A9L. Thanks for mentioning that, I meant to add that in there.

 

[Range98]

I'm going auto sadly. Would have been a pain to change it. Anyways I really like the choppy idle of that vid and that is exactly what i want my truck to sound like. I'm still not getting this that clearly though. If I get it tuned will the drivablility issues be resolved?

 

[Mac]

The Ford engineers (over at TRS) who had done the Explorer swap used the "E" cam and were able to get them to run right retarded the cam timing 4 degs. Dasfinc (used to be a regular here) used the comp cam XE264HR-14, very similar to the "F" cam with no problems. Remember that those Ford engineers said the drivablity problems came from the tight LSA, 114 about the tightest that works. Not sure if duration came into play also. Dan's truck at idle.
Dave of the Nord

 

[Range98]

Well I talked to Summit Racing today about the b303 and they said it will work. I just need, retainers, valve springs, and shims so I'm going to give it a try. This project's getting expensive fast lol

 

[Muscleford]

I don't think the "B" cam works well with and automatic trans.

 

[baddad457]

I don't think the "B" cam works well with and automatic trans.

Yes it does. I'm running a Z303 in my 331 with a C-4 with a mild stall converter (something around a 1500-2000) and it's a great combo. I've run the B cam in my old Ranger, albeit with a 4 speed, it worked great with a carb. These cams sound a lot more radiacal than they really are. The duration figures at .050 are pretty tame. I ran the B cam with 1.7's to increase the lift to .510.

 

[Range98]

Yes it does. I'm running a Z303 in my 331 with a C-4 with a mild stall converter (something around a 1500-2000) and it's a great combo. I've run the B cam in my old Ranger, albeit with a 4 speed, it worked great with a carb. These cams sound a lot more radiacal than they really are. The duration figures at .050 are pretty tame. I ran the B cam with 1.7's to increase the lift to .510.

So baddad, do you think it will work with my application? I'm getting new valve springs, retainers, and shims. The rest of my info is above.

 

[baddad457]

So baddad, do you think it will work with my application? I'm getting new valve springs, retainers, and shims. The rest of my info is above.

I don't know how it'll work with the Explorer computer, otherwise it's fine with the rest of the build. It will work with a Mustang computer, the B cam was originally made to "cam up" an 86-87 5.0 HO with speed density.