Cams: Stock vs. PI vs. VT Stage I

[Bubba Z.]

I've done a little research but nothing that will answer my question so I thought I would ask the board.

I currently have the stock cams in my 98 GT but I also have the complete PI swap kit (including PI cams) sitting in my garage awaiting installation. I was wondering if it was worth it to swap the PI cams for some VT Stage I cams. Is there a significant HP difference between the two that would justify getting the 500 dollar VT cams? Secondly, is it a straight swap (i.e. no valve springs to change)?

Thanks in advance,
Bubba Z.

 

[stangman]

yup, just make sure to get a tune after you do it & no you don't 'need' valve springs, but it's certainly not a bad idea since the heads are already going to be off

 

[Nater]

If it were me, I would get the VT cams and springs and put them in while the heads are off the car waiting to be installed. Install them, tune it and you'll be happy! More than happy, actually.

 

[CanadaStang]

You won't need to change springs with the Stage I cams, just the stage II's. The springs are rather pricey, so if you decide you want the springs anyway, price them out first, as they are rather expensive. You won't notice much of a "rumbly" idle with the stage I's but you'll get a decent Hp increase over the stock PI cams.

Edit: Oh, and yes you'll need a tune if you get the stage I's.

 

[mr. jones1]

I looked into the same cam swaps and the VT1 should be worth 22HP over PI stock. It sounds like you have new stock PI springs, if so run the stock spring.

 

[navarro98gt]

The sound alone is worth the exta money. People are always surprised when they hear a camed 4.6. Do it!

 

[Blue Blurr]

VT stages 2 are not much more so ide just got with them, if u can spend a bit more and get springs.

 

[CobraM23]

The sound alone is worth the exta money. People are always surprised when they hear a camed 4.6. Do it!

Seriously, I turn heads when I pull up next to people in the staging lanes at the track. Guy in a Mach 1 asked me what I did to make it sound like that. VT stage II's

 

[Bubba Z.]

How are Stage II's for a daily driver? Too much?

--Bubba Z.

 

[CobraM23]

How are Stage II's for a daily driver? Too much?

--Bubba Z.

I dont think so at all. I get around 15-16mpg city driving and around 21-22 mpg highway. They dont really start making power until 3000 or so. Cruising around town you'd never notice except for the sick idle

 

[Mr GT 02]

Seriously, I turn heads when I pull up next to people in the staging lanes at the track. Guy in a Mach 1 asked me what I did to make it sound like that. VT stage II's

how much did the cam install go for??? or did u do it ya self?

 

[CobraM23]

how much did the cam install go for??? or did u do it ya self?

A machine shop charged me $75 to change the cams and springs out. I had the cams put in the heads before I had the swap done. It makes things easier to do it that way.

 

[88stangmangt]

wouldnt be hard to put a v-1 in a Stock SOHC 96 4.6L motor would it??? would it have a nice idle and sound good?

 

[stangman]

nope not too terribly hard. use bill putnams write up over on MD & you're good to go