New Cams....No Springs Required!

[MikeysOTP]

Comp Cams has a new cam set for our cars that does not require new valve springs. Price on Brenspeed is $650. 20 RWHP gain peak, 31 RWHP at 6200 RPM. I called and they said it has a slight chop at idle. Install time is about 4 hours according to them. Apparently unless you are doing major modifications such as head work, you would benefit from the stage 3s but otherwise these are the way to go.

Mrs. Claus had better get on the phone, if these aren't under my tree there is going to be trouble around here.

 

[DarkFireGT]

I just can't see much gain from a cam that doesn't require new springs. But, then again, I really trust Brenspeed, so I have a hard time doubting their numbers. Hrmmm... How involved is a cam swap with no springs? I've never done anything internal.

 

[stang8urimport]

Cam swap is quite involved. If you don't have the tools, you have to remove the timing cover to access the tensioners for the chain. It's a big job, and unless you have a lot of down time, or you really know what you're doing... I would leave it to a pro. Get the cam timing wrong, and you're gunna end up with some bent valves.

 

[DarkFireGT]

Ok. Well, it still sounds like not too much labor for a shop. 4 hours, usual rate is about, what $75/hour? So that's still under $1k.... hrmm...

 

[stang8urimport]

My rate is $75 per hour, but labor rate is pretty low here in Kansas. Brenspeed says 4 hours, but All-data and Michell's is way different. It calls for 7.3 hours for both sides. There's no way any shop is going to do it for 4 hours!

 

[HEAVYGT]

Ok. Well, it still sounds like not too much labor for a shop. 4 hours, usual rate is about, what $75/hour? So that's still under $1k.... hrmm...

But the grand towards your S/C trust fund!!!

 

[steedman07]

+1^

 

[Mr_Q]

Yeah any pro with the tools can have it done fast. I've seen Joe at Chicane Motorsports in Torrance, CA do it really darn fast.

I won't say how fast because then it would start a thread of , "That's BS, no one can do it that fast!"

 

[stang8urimport]

I'm sure it can be done in just 1-2 hours with the correct tools making it not necessary to remove the timing cover. But I sure the hell know this guy isn't going to only charge his actual time on the job. He'd never make any money.

 

[DarkFireGT]

But the grand towards your S/C trust fund!!!

I'm incapable of saving money. Believe me, I've tried.

 

[MikeysOTP]

OK, I called them back and got some clarification on this. The main reason they are able to do this so quick is that they have a $300 tool kit from Ford including a wedge of some sort for the timing assembly. They save a ton of time by not having to deal with the timing cover (or something to that effect anyway). I am sure that the fact that they work on these things daily helps as well. The dealer I bought my car from just quoted me 23 hours for the same job.

I would love to go FI someday but the thought of 20-30 rwhp and a little rumble at idle for less than a grand installed is very appealing to me. I just need to find someone in my area that has the tools to do this.

 

[kooldawg6]

Brenspeed says 4 hours, but All-data and Michell's is way different. It calls for 7.3 hours for both sides. There's no way any shop is going to do it for 4 hours!

Brenspeed is more than likely giving you moderate level mechanic's actual time, not book labor times.
What you need to do is find a shop that charges by how long it takes them, not what the books say.

I'll have to check out the rate/estimate from the shop I deal with. This does sound intriguing

 

[whyask]

23 hours ......???? Who is doing the install hellen keller !

 

[TJWRANGLER82]

cam swaps in stangs are very simple especially if you do not have to mess with the springs. pick up any haynes book and it walks you right through it. i have done three of them and we got it down to under 2 hours not very complicated at all.

 

[bigcat]

looks like it loses power under 4200 RPMs.

 

[DarkFireGT]

23 hours ......???? Who is doing the install hellen keller !

HAHAHA! Best post EVER!

Yeah, it does lose a bit on the low end. Low end is only for first gear, anyways. When you shift, you end up around 4K anyways. Sticky tires and low gears will take care of first gear.

 

[MikeysOTP]

23 hours ......???? Who is doing the install hellen keller !

Well, as I have stated on other posts, my dealer claims not to "see" any of my mods as far as warranty issues go. Helen Keller did live in CT for a while so there could possibly be a connection here.

 

[stang8urimport]

What you need to do is find a shop that charges by how long it takes them, not what the books say.

:rant on:
That's retarded thinking. That's like saying go buy ANYTHING you EVER buy for as much as it costs the manufacturer. The guys busting their knuckles to fix/repair/mod your car FOR YOU, so you don't get dirty, or don't know how to do it, should get paid very well. If you don't want to let my shop make money to keep the lights on and technicans paid, you can go to a mom and pop shop where you don't know if they will be there tomorrow if you have any problems. :rant off:

 

[stangdude2000]

I'd rather have a shop that will give me a quote and say its X dollars. Period. I wouldn't like a "We think 4 hours," plan for that, and then have them run into issues and and it take an extra two...

 

[kooldawg6]

looks like it loses power under 4200 RPMs.

Looking at that, I will be putting this money elsewhere! Staying N/A for awile and I don't want to lose power below 4200. Even with the 4.10s, cruising 80 MPH happens at 3000 RPM. I would want some low end grunt to pull me to that point and beyond...KB power quite possibly I want something that comes into play with daily driving.