AFM Cam Chain Retention Tool

[damacman]

See www.andersonfordmotorsport.com for a full description. Seems like $29.95 sure gets alot -- allows you to swap SOHC cams w/o removing the timing chain cover. Anybody used this yet for their cam swap?

I'm looking at numerous cam options now, but am leaning towards one of the comp camps grinds. Any input based on my mods? I want to add some REAL power, but don't want to give up drivability and / or the ability to pass an emmissions test. Oh yeah, a lumpy idle would be good too!

 

[kboy262]

I would recommend this tool highly. I used it on mine and it only took 2 hours to install the cams. It does help to have an extra pair of hands to do the job. I have Comp Cams 268H and they have a nice lope sound to it. I do not think the VT stage 1 have a much of a lope sound, but I haven't heard one in person.

 

[kboy262]

Oh don't forget you can not use the tool on 99 and 00 year mustangs do to the use of press-on cam gears.

 

[stang9300]

Oh don't forget you can not use the tool on 99 and 00 year mustangs do to the use of press-on cam gears.

Damn. I thought that this was going to save me alot of time, but you ruined my glimmer of hope for me. Mine is a '00.

 

[kboy262]

Damn. I thought that this was going to save me alot of time, but you ruined my glimmer of hope for me. Mine is a '00.

Sorry, but better to find out now then after you already bought the tool and tore into the motor.

 

[stang9300]

So do these tools only work for the non PI cars?

 

[kboy262]

No. They work for all 4.6L (Thunderbirds and Mustangs 94-98 and 01-04) except for the 99 and 00 because these motors are Windsors.

 

[kboy262]

Bless it. I doubled post. No. They work for all 4.6L (Thunderbirds and Mustangs 92-98 and 01-04) except for the 99 and 00 because these motors are Windsors.

 

[stang9300]

Damn the Windsors!

 

[damacman]

I would recommend this tool highly. I used it on mine and it only took 2 hours to install the cams. It does help to have an extra pair of hands to do the job. I have Comp Cams 268H and they have a nice lope sound to it. I do not think the VT stage 1 have a much of a lope sound, but I haven't heard one in person.

Cool! Mine is a 2k3, so I should be OK. Some recommend changing the valve springs when swapping cams, but I'm assuming you did not do this based on the fact that you were able to perform the swap in 2 hours. Is this necessary in all cases? My car only has 17k miles on it. I think I'm going to give comp cams a call in the morning and find out more about their recommendations.

 

[damacman]

btw kboy262, it's time for YOU to put some headers on yours . . .

Also, what kind of hp / tq gains did you get from the cams?

 

[kboy262]

It depends on how radical a cam you will purchase. For some who want a nice increase in power but an easy install and not too radical is to use the NPI performance cams in a PI head. The reason for this is because of the less lift involved. PI aftermarket cams usually have .550 lift while the NPI have .500. I heard thou that the VT stage 1 cams can be run with stock springs but not the stage 2. I chose to get a cam that wasn't too radical and can be a daily driver. Comp Cam will probably recommend their 270 series cam with their springs. Just chose a cam that best fits your needs.

 

[mity2]

I can't find it...