cams vs headers

[Q's Stang]

alright i just had my x pipe installed today and was already jumping towards the next mod and i remember whenever my mechanic wrote up my full exhaust and i believe the slp headers were like $730 just for parts and another like 500 for labor which got me to thinking...performance cams are around 4-600 bucks and i couldnt imagine the install being that much more than 500...

sooooo...if im going to spend about the same money for either cams installed or headers installed wouldnt it be better to go w/ cams b/c id approximately gain another 10-20 hp compared to a LT header install right?

 

[Jones331]

CAMS!! Headers

 

[5.4 Mustang]

Cams 100% that was my first mod. Now I have got a 5.4 with cams, ported heads and gears. Check it out, every air delivery mod you do after that will be magnified. The cams give you an incredible amount of freeway power. You can hang with cobras on the freeway. Not win but you will be close. PLUS! You get an awesome exhaust sound, turns heads. Then after that gears. That was my second mod. Then you will be right with non sc'd cobra's on the freeway. Which is where there strongest. They will be playing catch up to you in the city.

 

[Phantom959]

I got Cams installed a few weeks ago & it is great but you will still need headers. I am getting BBK shorty's on MOnday. Remember the more air you get in the more you have to get out. Its a vicious cycle.

 

[98MACH1R]

hey man if i was to ever go with headers i would have to go with long tubes if your not doing long tubes go cams

 

[Q's Stang]

im going longtubes but i figured id get cams first b/c itll cost about the same but come w/ a lot more horsepower & a better sound...for any of you that took your stang to the shop for the install how much did you pay for labor?

 

[mity2]

header=
Cams =
Cams+header+exhaust= :worship: X100...

to me makes no sense to move more air out of combustion chamber, if exhaust can't move as much air. Do header first, then get cam. that way, u can fully explore their potential

 

[hotmustang331]

Yea, I noticed how quick the car is out on the highway now...its definatly quicker through EVERY gear after the cams, but dropping 3rd @ 60-70MPH it just flat out PULLS...like a raped ape lol. You can really feel the power and cruizing traffic just instantly gets left behind FAST.

 

[Gearbanger 101]

If I remember correctly, you plan on blowing that thing later on, don't you? In that case, I'm going to have to give the nod to the headers. Although they won't do much in stock trim, they will really help you breathe after you get that blower on there. Not to mention getting the hard part (headers) on now and you can pretty much address the cams anytime you want. It's pretty much only a matter of pulling the front cover, removing the chains and accessing them from the top of the motor.

 

[Q's Stang]

yeah i was looking into getting a sc later on down the road but i def dont have the funds for that anytime soon...i probably wont add on headers or cams until next summer when i have a paying job again, but during fall/winter or maybe w/ my tax return i think im going to get an accufab plenum, throttle body, & a CAI (not really decided on which one yet)

 

[Phantom959]

Yea, I noticed how quick the car is out on the highway now...its definatly quicker through EVERY gear after the cams, but dropping 3rd @ 60-70MPH it just flat out PULLS...like a raped ape lol. You can really feel the power and cruizing traffic just instantly gets left behind FAST.

:werd: b4 the cams with 4.10's shifts came to quick. Now I can let the car stretch its legs here is a breakdown of my costs.

cams + springs = $500, labor = $380.
Headers from Jegs $289, labor + ceramic coating = $275
Its good to have friends who own there own shop. Discounts rule for us poor military folks