B-303 question

Not again · Post by **Not again** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 12:12 am

Is it a FACT that Ford installed B cams in ascMclaren cars?

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 4:14 am

Not exactly. I was told, not in convertibles. The cars that I was told got the B-303 Cam were the 1985 & 1986 asc/McLaren COUPES, and NOT in the Euro-Coupes (Lower priced Coupe model).

Post by **negusm** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 5:10 am

Nope, no 100% concrete evidence. There have been several people who claim their cars ran differently than the stock version. in the old Yahoo group there was I think a report of one person with a bunch of odd markings on their engine components when they were doing a tear down.

You have to have an extremely accurate MIC to check a CAM and almost no one has one. So we never get any precise information. Not all B303 cams may have been stamped on the end so we just don't know.

-Mike

bigzeke42 · Post by **bigzeke42** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 3:14 pm

I think my eurocoupe has the B303 cam. It acts just like Sandy describes. When I first start it up it lopes to the point it almost dies.

xrod · Post by **xrod** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 5:39 pm

I look at the great B303 debate this way. Why would ASC/Ford install a performance upgrade at additional time/expense and not capitalize on it through advertisement of a higher performance car and in part, justifying its much higher sticker price? They wouldn’t. First and most importantly, its not emissions legal. I can’t imagine Ford or ASC risking the wrath of the feds by intentionally breaking the law. They are/were in the business to make money not pay fines. Second, let’s suppose they decided to sneak it by the feds because a few extra ponies were worth any financial penalty at no competitive advantage. According to Ford, the B303 “camshaft works only with mass air”. Granted the ’85 is carbed so I suppose the dream for some is still alive but for the ’86 speed density system, why install it? I suppose intentionally installing an illegal and un-recommended part which would certainly play havoc with idle and prompting owners to bring it in for service was again, worth it. If any owner made a warranty claim, Ford would not have a leg to stand on (by their own recommendation). Like anything else, it all comes down to money.

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 6:42 pm

I look at the great B303 debate this way. Why would ASC/Ford install a performance upgrade at additional time/expense and not capitalize on it through advertisement of a higher performance car and in part, justifying its much higher sticker price? They wouldn’t. First and most importantly, its not emissions legal. I can’t imagine Ford or ASC risking the wrath of the feds by intentionally breaking the law. They are/were in the business to make money not pay fines.
For yhe mystic of it

feds because a few extra ponies were worth any financial penalty at no competitive advantage. According to Ford, the B303 “camshaft works only with mass air”. Granted the ’85 is carbed so I suppose the dream for some is still alive but for the ’86 speed density system, why install it? I suppose intentionally installing an illegal and un-recommended part which would certainly play havoc with idle....
it does raise havic, when motor is cold, it shakes & shimmies and conks out, on the re-start, it purrs like an infant...

Now then, I was told by not one, but two older gentlemen who worked on the COUPES @ asc/McLaren in Livonia, Mi. that this was done, on line, by FoMoCo for ASC. Remember ... There were under 900 of these, so there might have been provision to "tinker" with these COUPES as they were going to (THRU) McLaren Engineering .... The McLaren name, in Detroit is known to get what they want. ASC did not do it. As you pointed out, it was FORD, and you were correct therein.
The cars were delivered to McLaren Engineering...In Lovonia , Michigan, in what is called a "Drive-A-Way in the business.

(But... the drive-A-way, really did not take place.

1985 Motorsport Capri · Wed Nov 30, 2011 3:33 am

the only Drive-A-Way programs ever done with an ASC/McLaren capri/mustang were the GPIV cars.
those were a true drive-a-way done by the Detroit District.

For those unfamilar with the term drive-a-way, it is a event (mostly held by manufactures) where there is a large number of new vehicals(usually special editions) that are driven back to the dealerships for promotion & then sale after the event is over..

2 of the best known ford drive-a-way program cars were the 1985 motorsport capri & 1970 twister mustang/torino

Agent-J · Post by **Agent-J** » Sat Dec 17, 2011 7:49 pm

I was buying take off parts from ASC back in the late 80's and this was an issue back then when I asked I was told that the engine were not touched they were stock production engines. Who knows I would love to here from someone who actually worked at the engine plant.

mustangjim · Post by **mustangjim** » Sun Dec 18, 2011 8:25 pm

bigzeke42 wrote:I think my eurocoupe has the B303 cam. It acts just like Sandy describes. When I first start it up it lopes to the point it almost dies.

Hey Zeke - I believe most 1986 models display the loping idle tendency, I believe it has more to do with the TPS & Air Idle Selenoid reacting to the ECM and Speed Density circuitries reading proper signal voltage readings from both O2 sensors. Once the sensors "warm" up, idle lope issues disappear versus the constant idle lope of the B303 due to higher vacuum variance and the AI's ability to compensate. Adjusting the TPS sensor to 0.9 Volts and slightly advancing the ignition timing usually calms this issue down. Other 86 owners please feel free to chime in.

Happy Holidays - Jim

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 1:29 am

mustangjim..... you make alot of sence, therein.

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