The goal: 425–450 streetable, reliable horsepower in a Fox Body.
The question: What’s the smartest most budget friendly way to get there in 2026. We’re comparing three routes: Coyote swap, Build the existing 5.0L (302), Ford Performance 363 crate engine.

I was excited about all the perks a cam can offer: more power, that iconic lumpy idle, and an overall more aggressive sound. But, like any modification, there are always trade-offs.

I was ultra focused on maintaining as much of the stock 5.0’s low-end torque as possible, and the Comp Cam XE266HR was a great balance for that. It’s got a good torque curve that starts delivering power at lower RPMs, which is perfect for daily driving. But what I didn’t fully expect were the quirks that come with a lumpier camshaft.