cam for 1966 289 Mustang and afr 165cc heads?

cody browning · 10-08-2009

the title pretty much says it all but i am ready to step up to a better cam in my 66 and i really don't know what all is involved. I have afr 165 heads, torker 289 intake, headers, straight pipes, t-5 tranny, 570 street avenger, and a stock but rebuilt (7 or so years ago) bottom end. Any ideas on a good cam for my set up? also, will i have to fly cut the pistons (2v dish tops) when i step up the cam? thanks for any help!

steelers1377 · 10-08-2009

contact jay allen for a custom cam.!

cody browning · 10-08-2009

I should have said in the original post i would like to keep everything under a budget of 400 if at all possible

65BlueHorse · 10-08-2009

If you go to compcams website they have a program you can download where you can enter info about your car and it will bring up cams for that setup.

cody browning · 10-09-2009

yeah i have the program but it wants me to buy like a 400 dollar cam...mainly im wondering if fly cutting the pistons will be necessary, the valves clear fine now with the stock cam but will a more aggressive cam affect the clearance?

Jonk67 · 10-09-2009

Cody, I'm using AFR 165's on my 289 with a CompCams XE262 (~$200 for the kit), not sure how you ended up with a $400 cam, sounds like a roller cam instead of flat tappet hyd.
Here's mine:
COMP Cams® - Cam Details

Your valves shouldn't hit the heads with 1.60/1.90 AFR 165's, if you went with the 185's which have 2.02 valves which is where interference usually comes in. How big a cam are you looking at?

The XE262 is a midrange since it just tops .500 lift, do you plan to go past .550 lift?

Depending on your compression ratio/deck height, head cc the only safe way to tell is to put some clay on top of the pistons, install the heads and turn the crank to measure squish.

I haven't started my motor yet but expect to be happy with performance and the ability to still drive as a DD with an AOD and 3.50:1 Tracloc.
Jon

MRDMV · 10-09-2009

Go with COMP cams agressive cam under $400 easy.

31-115-4
High Energy™, 240H
Good Torque & Economy, Very Smooth Idle

$146.58

CL31-115-4
High Energy™, 240H: Cam & Lifters

$221.13

K31-115-4
High Energy™, 240H: Cam & Kit

$386.28

SK31-115-4
High Energy™, 240H: Cam & S-Kit

cody browning · 10-12-2009

okay thanks for the help guys! I just want a cam that is noticeable but I was looking at a roller cam...everyone says to go with a roller over flat tappet but it sounds like if i stick to the old school flat tappet thats not too aggressive and take care of it i should be fine. Thanks again!

Pig Muffin · 10-12-2009

i just bought a comp cams magnum 270s, you wont have to change your stall with this cam. It has a good sound to it. .499/.499 27/270 are the specs. 119.00 bucks. The kit is 185 on Summit.

Pig Muffin · 10-12-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by cody browning

okay thanks for the help guys! I just want a cam that is noticeable but I was looking at a roller cam...everyone says to go with a roller over flat tappet but it sounds like if i stick to the old school flat tappet thats not too aggressive and take care of it i should be fine. Thanks again!

You would have to get a retrofit set up to run roller i believe, just for the lifters on a retrofit is like 400 dollars, I wouldnt do a roller.

Little Mule · 10-12-2009

I got a similiar setup and have a 270 .500 cam (hope I remember that right, it was a long time ago), but didn't have to change anything up. you should be fine. GREAT sound though.

cody browning · 10-13-2009

sweet Im gonna get one ordered then thanks for the help!