Well, I'm almost done redoing my '88 F-150. Body's done, being repainted, it will be all new except for the motor. Thank goodness it is a 302, I think they grow on trees, which keeps the price down for buyers like me. (I checked a local place and they want $899 for a rebuilt 302 with 3 year warranty! I think that's good)
Anyhow, I'm sticking with speed density, I don't want to go crazy modifying it to Mass air or whatever. However, I do realize this keeps me fairly limited to what potential I can 'realistically. mod.
So my question is; what mods can I do that the speed density system will accept. I've heard you can't do cams, etc. I should be alright doing exhaust, maybe even heads? Any input is always appriciated! Thanks!

 

Many machine shops can get you a computor friendly cam. It wont be a monster power cam, but its better than stock. Then lets see.....
K&N FIPK
Headers
Exhaust with free flowing mufflers
Superchip
Have your heads ported and polished
Electric fan
Underdrive pullies
Just my .02

 

I can tell you this...Gen 1 Lightnings all be it they have a 351, this still relates. They are Speed Density. And for them to make good power and go fast, a blower or nitrous is where its at. Blowers work great on speed density setups. Thats my .02. And most of the time when I hear people tear into their engine and put all the goodies in them, they end up opening them up more than once. This isnt the case for everyone, but its up to you.

 

I hope thats not me! I just got my crane powermax 2020 in the block, I should have it running some time tommorow.

 

I hope not also. From people that I know that have doen cam swaps and stuff, they usually just replace the cam and then the rest of the valve train is still old and the more radical cam puts a strain on the old stuff and it just doesnt hold up. If you do it right and build it up right, you should be fine.

 

How can I tell what a 'computer friendly' cam would be? And what about a set of heads (say GT-40) or something, you think I'd be alright there?

 

Call crane, they have a couple speed density friendly cams to choose from. I have a 92' I rebuilt 3yrs ago (@270K), I mildly ported the heads, installed a crane 2020 or 2021 (can't remember which), made an FIPK, underdrive pulleys (dont like), BBK ceramic coated headers, true duals, no cats and built a bullet proof AOD with a superior hp shift kit. The truck feels like it will pull up a stump, fast as any new model factory truck I've raced, barks the tires when it shifts 1-2 and idels/drives good with 14-15mpg. Also I do not run a chip, just got a performance tune up instead, I wouldn't trade it for anything. I feel like what I have is a good mix of power and driveability/depedability.
The body is another story, soon as I get some money I have a few small dents to pull, a few primer spots and need a new paint job. Looks rough but its tough.

 

Hey Fordby4,

It is increased cam duration that the speed density system will not like. You can increase lift and that will work, but bare in mind you can only go so high with the stock pistons. You will also need the appropriate springs, which most cam companies will give you to match your cam. Two valve engines respond well to increased lift. You will find most SD friendly cams have short duration with increased lift. Just remember, if you increase lift, you need an efficient intake system and exhaust to support the cam, otherwise you're just pissing money away.

 

Actually, S/D can tolerate increases in duration as long as they are accompanied by an increase in lobe center angles. That is why Clifford grinds their EFI cams on 114° centers. If you don't increase the lobe centers, the resulting increase in overlap messes up the MAP sensor readings.

Call the cam vendors, they all have tech lines and they all will be only too happy to answer your questions.

 

I have a cam that should work pretty good with speed density if you have flat tappets. I will part with it really cheap, even include a set of new lifters, i will post the specs if anybody is interested.

 

I'm still wrestling over the m/a vs. s/d issue myself and a big factor will be whether I can put a decent cam that is good for idle-5000 rpm's in without too much drama in my s/d setup. There is a big difference between just revving your engine up to 5000 rpm's and actually making power at 5000 rpm's. By 4500 rpm, my engine has lost all of its steam. My 2021 camshaft is rated for idle-4000 rpm. I've thought about just installing 1.7 ratio roller rockers to get the increased lift, but I don't know if that will solve the "no top end power" issue.

Dave186, what are the specs on the camshaft?

Just a little FYI, ccnseven, you mentioned that you have either the 2020 or the 2021 camshaft. There is a big difference between the two. The 2020 is a hydraulic roller camshaft whereas the 2021 is a hydraulic flat tappet camshaft. The specs on the 2020 are much more agressive than the 2021. If you've got a roller cam, then it's the 2020, if you have a flat tappet, then it would be the 2021. Hope that helps.

 

Its just a bit better than the 2021.

duration 190/202 lift .415/.439 lobe seperation 110

but i tell you what, i really like my 2020, in fact i think you could go with a bit bigger cam without much trouble.

 

dave186,

Let me get this straight, you've got a speed density 302 with the Crane Cams 2020 hydraulic roller camshaft and you have no idle/driveability issues? Why, this is music to my ears! A tech. guy at Crane Cams said I wouldn't be able to run a 2020 with speed density. He said that the 2021 was the most agressive cam I could have with s/d and not have any idle or driveability issues to worry about. He might have been playing it safe though, so I might reconsider my choice to go with the 2020.

 

yup, thats right. so far i have only noticed two little things that are probably from the cam. in the morning when its like 20 degrees out, if you blip the throttle it stumbles, almost like the choke is on if it were a carb. and when the AC pump cycles, the idle goes up a bit and when it shuts off it goes down then surges once or twice. check out this link http://www.cranecams.com/newsletter/newsletter10.htm
you will see a thing about speed density cams.

Crane also has two 2020 cams for our trucks, one is for 351s and the other is for 302s, seperate part numbers but the same grind number. the 351 version is a lot biger and probably wouldnt work very well in a 302.

I have only reved my truck out once so far and it seemed like it pulled pretty well right up to 5000 for sure better than it did before.

I actually am thinking about trying 1.7 roller rockers and see what happens, but i need to know if i would have piston/valve clearance issues, they would put me at .470/.505 lift.

 

I just checked the Crane Cams website and neither 2020 camshafts are 50 state street legal So what I'll probably end up doing is just staying with the 2021 and adding some 1.7 ratio roller rockers if I stick with a 302, or just using the Edelbrock 5.8L camshaft if I do decide to swap in a 351.

BTW, on the 1.7 ratio rockers, I don't think you'll have piston clearance issues, but you may need taller valve covers. I think forcefd had some 1.7 rockers and said that they fit without too much trouble if I recall correctly.