So I have a 65 coupe that I autocross and daily most of the year. I went and found a 65 Fairlane with a hipo 289 and bought the car for $500 pulled the engine and resold the body with the trans in it for $500. So I made it out ok but now I'm doing a moderate build on it and I'm trying to choose a cam. But nobody seems to be modifying their hipo 289s unless they are simply taking them to gt350 spec. So what I'm looking to see is if anyone knows what the largest cam that I can use in the hipo with stock pistons. And what would be the best cam for a street driven autocross car with a T5. I'm open to any and all suggestions the machine work on my rotating assembly will be done on Friday so I'm hoping to buy a cam soon to get this car back on the road and the track. Thank you everyone on the forum!
I would use a cam with the same specs as the one that originally came installed in the K-code engine. A hydraulic lifter version.
I'm afraid that if you use too much cam, that little 289 will feel like it is in third gear exiting the corners on an autocross course.
You see many people building to GT350 specs for a reason... It makes for a nice street engine that has decent power for its size, and is relatively reliable.
Oh ok I didn't really think about that. I will definitely take that into consideration. I am just looking for a little more power than this 289 will be pushing out and don't have the funds or time to do a stroker or something of the sort. Are intake and exhaust going to be my best bet for a little more power while keeping acceleration out of the corners? Thank you for the reply btw all help is greatly appreciated!
Carroll Shelby wasn't bs'ing the world (As he was sometimes known to do), when he claimed slightly above 300 hp for the GT350 engine. All it took was an aluminum manifold/Holley carburetor, a set of tri-y headers, and appropriate tuning, for a 30-35 hp gain on a stock K-code.
In my opinion, for the intended use of the car, that will make a fun, budget friendly, engine.
In my 68 Fastback, I had a 60 over 289, hogged out 302 heads, RV cam (forgot specs), 2400 stall C4, Hurst shifter, headers, semi roller rockers(1.7 - 1 ?) 3.55 gears, Holley 650 (hated it, never ran right) a quick, high revving ride
I think that the Comp cams Nostalgia is the popular choice. You can also get the cam in a mechanical lifter version that is slightly more aggressive.
Comp cams grinds are slightly different than the original K-code. They claim to be improved versions of the originals. You can find exact copies of the original mechanical lifter K-code cam from a few different suppliers.
Whichever cam that you choose, just remember to keep in mind the intended use for the car.
What have you done to the motor and what machine work have you had done. Did you buy new pistons, use ARP rod and main bolts/studs and what heads are on the car and what did you do to them. With this information I think people could suggest a cam...the original hipro cam was in the .460 lift and 310 duration...and not meant to spin more than 6000 rpm.
My question is this a real 289 HiPro? If it is it's sure worth a lot more than what you paid for the car! If you are just talking a garden variety 289 C code the OE heads are on the weak side as they have pressed in rocker studs and come out with higher lift cams and anything above 6000 rpm. In the old days we used the pin them...we did a lot of crazy things back then...50 years ago.
The 289/271 HP had hand picked cranks and they were Brinnel tested. The rod bolts are 31/48 versus the stock 51/416...the only issue is that the 31/48 takes more metal from the rod making is somewhat weaker...if you install the ARP 51/416 bolts you get the best of both worlds. The balancer was totally different as they had to account for the added weight of the rod bolts. The heads had screw in rocker studs.
Sorry I got carried away in my first post.
Again, what work has been done to rotating assembly????
With stock cast pistons I believe you can go with a .498 lift without having to flycut the pistons. If it were me, I'd flycut them anyway if you are going this high. I think this is the maximum you'd want to go with the OE cast pistons. As far as the rest I'd try and stay between 108 to 114 valve separation for the street as this will give better driveability, better idle and better low end torque. As I mentioned stay under .500 lift and again for the street I'd stay in 10 to 55 valve overlap...again for better driveability.
My suggestion would be to call some of the cam manufactures like Crower or others and tell they what you have and what you want along with specs on your motor...although picking cams just because someone says they are fantastic...you've got a 50/50 chance of them being exactly what you want. The one good thing is that cams are easy to change...just depends on how many times you want to pull them out...IMHO
Thanks for all the replys! It is a real K code from a Fairlane. I agree I made out pretty well buying that car. I will look into what comp cams has within the specs you suggested Olerodder! The 289 had to be bored 30 over so that has been done and the new pistons are just stock 30 over pistons and ARP studs have been pressed in the mains and rods. I had called crane cams and started asking about a cam for the hipo but the guy I had on the phone was being a real dick and kept saying they had no idea what would fit the hipo. He only had the stock cam specs and just wanted to sell me one the was "a step up from stock spec" but couldn't garuntee it would even work. I'll contact comp and see what they have.
in my 66 I use the Nostalgia plus cam (hydraulic flat tapped) in a 302 with hyper eutectic pistons, AFR 165 heads, Dougs 3Y, perf RPM intake, 9,8:1 compression...
with a T5 and 3.5 gears
I love it!
But I can't compare, this cam was my first choice and I haven't try any other.
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