Cam Work - cost vs. performance

[Red03Mustang]

Hey all. I wanted to know a good ballpark figure for having a shop install new cams. I've heard they can give around 30HP extra, plus a great sound.

Also, what kind of tuning would need to be done after that? I have a Diablosport Predator tuner. Would I be able to do the tuning that I need with that? My car is an auto, if that makes a difference.

Forgive me if my questions are newbyish. I don't know much about cams and their tuning.

Thanks!

 

[01SN8K]

i know of one car in my area with cams. the guy did his own install. pricing would be dependant on the shops labor rate. ballpark for cams installed would be 2000. thats figuring cost of cams, labor and other small misc. things. requires alot of work to do. so find a reputable place that does good work. as for tuning the predator will get the car running ok but a dyno tune would be best. your a/f will change alot from the cams. the guy i know tried doing mailorder chips but ended up paying for a dyno tune to get the best gains. he dynoed 330 to the wheels with all the bolt ons including a P-51 intake. depending on cost you should look into other bolt ons such as longtubes, cai, or a stall converter that will help performance but be less costly.

 

[Dark Knight GT]

i know of one car in my area with cams. the guy did his own install. pricing would be dependant on the shops labor rate. ballpark for cams installed would be 2000. thats figuring cost of cams, labor and other small misc. things. requires alot of work to do. so find a reputable place that does good work. as for tuning the predator will get the car running ok but a dyno tune would be best. your a/f will change alot from the cams. the guy i know tried doing mailorder chips but ended up paying for a dyno tune to get the best gains. he dynoed 330 to the wheels with all the bolt ons including a P-51 intake. depending on cost you should look into other bolt ons such as longtubes, cai, or a stall converter that will help performance but be less costly.

I agree with pretty much everything he said. Look into some long tubes and a stall torque converter if you plan on doing a aggressive cam upgrade, like the VT Stage 2 n/a cams. You'll be glad in the end you did. As for installation costs, any reputable shop should be able to do this in about 6-8hrs. So figure in that much time for labor.

 

['03GTinFLA]

Just an FYI. Modular Powerhouse has some labor rates listed on thier website for different things. Cams without springs, ie VT stage 1, labor = $350 and cams with springs, VT stage 2, labor = $1000 because they remove the heads to install the springs on the bench. I'm sure this varies greatly depending on what part of the country your in and by the shop itself. I would just call around.

 

[Red03Mustang]

[QUOTE='03GTinFLA]Just an FYI. Modular Powerhouse has some labor rates listed on thier website for different things. Cams without springs, ie VT stage 1, labor = $350 and cams with springs, VT stage 2, labor = $1000 because they remove the heads to install the springs on the bench. I'm sure this varies greatly depending on what part of the country your in and by the shop itself. I would just call around. [/QUOTE]

Thanks guys!

 

[MyEarsHurt]

If you are planning on installing new cams without the springs, then just do it yourself. Its really not that hard. All you have to do is remove pulleys, timing cover, chains, valve covers, pull out the old ones, put in the new ones and put it all back together again. Okay, it sounds like a lot, but its really not. You could probably get it done in less than 5-6 hours if you have all the right tools...which is basically just a set of metric deep well sockets and some open end 8 10 13 mm wrenches.

http://www.modulardepot.com/?show=articlesdet&aid=39

Hope that helps.

 

[Dark Knight GT]

One last thing to remember. If you do decide to get a set of VT engine Stage II cams or any other aggressive cams, you need to remember that you have an automatic equipped vehicle. If you go with too low of a duration cam, it will stall your car. I know the VT engine Stage II cam is recommended with a 2400+rpm aftermarket torque converter.

 

[Gearhead91]

If doing it yourself, don't forget to get the cam tool for our cars! You pop the covers and shove the tool down into the timing cover to take the tension off the springs. This thing cut the time in half!! My friend just did his cams and loves it. I think Anderson makes it. Do a search.

 

[BLKsteeda]

I had Steeda install my VT stage 1 cams, Superchips, install my new valve covers and completely tune my car...they had it for about a day and a half and was charged about $1400...

 

[COramprat]

I did the swap on my car but if you aren't really mechanically inclined it wouldn't be something I'd attempt. The right tools are a must although they are minimal. If you pull the timing cove you will need a pulley puller to get the crank pulley.

I had the Anderson cam tool but pretty much was worthless after we dropped the cam washer through the timing cover and into the oil pan. BE CAREFUL WITH THAT WASHER!!!

I didn't pull the chains off...just held the cam gear by hand and put the new cams in. I didn't run into a problem but it definately isn't the best or safest way to swap.