Cam selection

[stang_man_1]

i was thinking of getting a new set of cams but i don't know where to find them. Can somone explain what the stage 1 and stage 2 cam sets are and where to get them. how much do they cost. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Built98GT]

If you do cams i suggest you do the headswap first.

 

[mrvax]

If you do cams i suggest you do the headswap first.

Agreed. Much better off with the headswap & PI cams that come with it than getting aftermarket cams on a non-PI motor.

 

[stang_man_1]

thanks

 

[69Rcode_Mach1]

I agree you will not be able to take advantage of those cams without the proper flow from the heads. Do the heads and the Stage 2 cams and you will feel a nice kick in the pants, and a mean idle.

 

['03GTinFLA]

I can only speak for the VT cams as far as stage 1 and 2 are concerned, but I have heard stage 1 gains from 22-33 hp. Stage 2 is a little more, but not really worth it on a small to mildly modded car. Stage 2 does best with full intake and exhaust with heads.
Two other differences to be aware of are lope and springs. Stage 2's have a rougher idle,, and you should get a tune with stage 2's. I've heard of people running 1's without tune and doing fine.
Stage 1's don't require new springs, stage 2's do.
So I would suggest PI swap and then stage 1's. Unless you are planning ahead and have lot's of other mods to do.
Hope this helps, just my .02 from searching for my choice of cams.

 

[TweekedGT]

I agree with all of the above. I have VT stage 2 N/A cams on my heads right now and have been very happy with them. They are coming off this week and Crower stage 2 blower cams are going on. I would have gone VT blower cams but they don't have any in stock. Stage 1 or 2 is just the determination of how much duration and lift the cam has. The higher of both they will call it a stage 2 or 3. Anything with a stage 2 or 3 is usually a little more of a rough idle and requires extra components be installed. With a stage 2 or 3 cam you will require 3.73 gears or higher as well as upgraded valve springs.

 

[stang_man_1]

will the new 3-valve heads fit my engine

 

[COramprat]

Agreed. Much better off with the headswap & PI cams that come with it than getting aftermarket cams on a non-PI motor.

Whoa...I have to disagree. I have Comp 262's (comparable to VT stage 1) in my NPI car and I got a really nice gain for a hell of alot cheaper than the pi headswap. Before the cams (with a PI intake on NPI heads) I hit 208HP w/269TQ (Dynojet). After the cams and a tune I was at 230HP with 273TQ. The dyno tune was on a Mustang dyno so the gains compared to the Dynojet are probably a little less. If I had to guess I would make 235-40 on a Dynojet.

 

[stang_man_1]

will the new 3-valve heads fit my engine

anybody please!!!!!!

 

[TweekedGT]

anybody please!!!!!!

I do not believe so. If they do you would have to do way more than just the heads and intake like a 99-04 headswap. Totally different intake set up.

 

[TweekedGT]

Whoa...I have to disagree. I have Comp 262's (comparable to VT stage 1) in my NPI car and I got a really nice gain for a hell of alot cheaper than the pi headswap. Before the cams (with a PI intake on NPI heads) I hit 208HP w/269TQ (Dynojet). After the cams and a tune I was at 230HP with 273TQ. The dyno tune was on a Mustang dyno so the gains compared to the Dynojet are probably a little less. If I had to guess I would make 235-40 on a Dynojet.

Not knocking you by any means but mine made 280rwhp on a Mustang dyno with VT Stage 2's and the headswap. That's over 300 on a dynojet. Headswap is worth it.

 

[TGJ]

I would say it all depends on what you intend to do with the car. The PI head swap is worth about 10 - 15 RWHP more than a PI Cam and PI Intake swap on a NPI car due to the compression bump. There is a misconception that the PI head is better than the NPI head when in reality the PI head has a better intake and cam. Having both on the same compression level, the NPI head makes just as much power as the PI head with the same cam and intake. Been proven numerous times at MD and TCCOA.

That all being said, if you want to run the stock shortblock and intend to stay N/A, the PI headswap with aftermarket cams is a good bang for the buck. No matter what you do, I would do an aftermarket cam and PI intake swap on that NPI car. The cam and intake swap will be cheaper.

 

[01Steeda]

I dont know this for sure.. but I have been told porting the NPI heads can yield more than the PI swap. makes sense to me.. just dont have anything to back it up.