Comp Cam xe262ah vs Hitech Stage 1

[281CI96Coupe]

I made this thread because there wasn't a clear answer on this topic on stage 1 cams. My goal as of right now is do a P.I. Head swap, get them ported possibly, and have a nice small cam for more power. Now I want to know what cam would yield more power for my application. I would like to hear people's experiences if they have any type of cams, and what direction to take. I want to hit atleast 300rwhp through my 96 GT to make it respectable for the street.

One of the reasons why I didn't choose a stage 2 cam or more aggresive cam was because I want to keep the car somewhat street legal. I do not know this for fact but I heard that its hard to pass emissions with a stage 2 cam, and the idle is somewhat rough. So thats why I think a stage 1 cam would be perfect for me.

I was reading a lot of technical articles and I definitely want a cam with good down low/Mid range power. I do not want a cam thats all about peak power because it will feel like dogg if im not wide open throttle everywhere I go, and is it ok that I want to keep some kind of MPG? It's my only car right now so thats why I asked. Thanks Stangnet! Im ready for some good insightful responses.

Oh yeah what you think would be better Comp xe262ah's or Hitech stage 1's?

-Nathan

 

[mogs01gt]

262 is a tiny cam. The Hitech will make more power. I would go ahead and get the "stage 2" came. You are already changing the emissions so the car will already be "illegal"

 

[281CI96Coupe]

Its a balancing act between mpg, power, and staying somewhat legal. I would go stage 2 but I would be tossing everything else out the door.

 

[trinity_gt]

The XE262AH is a good cam.

Ford Mustang Cam Dyno Photo

No loss down low, 30+ HP up top and adds a touch of character to the idle. In my DD I wouldn't want anything more than this. How rough and rumbley you want the idle is a matter of personal taste. However, keep in mind that "stage 2" and "higher" cams typically make their additional gains over and above "stage 1" cams very high in the RPM range, often losing some low end in the process. If you spend a lot of time over 5K and idle quality and emissions legality isn't a concern, consider the higher stages of cam. For most people, the area under the curve is more important than a peak number at or past redline. Also, the rougher the idle, the more unburnt HCs are making out the exhaust, possibly overheating cats and possibly causing a sniffer fail during inspections. Just some things to think about.

With the OE cats in place (and in good shape), the 262 is a cinch to pass emissions. I know because my car did it. The exhaust sniffer readings taken on the rolling road testing done here in Ontario were far below the limits. I did fail a test with an MRT catted H pipe on there so you may need to stay with the OE cats, restrictive as they may be, to pass sniff testing.

By way of comparison, the Comp cams specs (at 0.050") are:

Duration:
I/E 226/230
Lift:
I/E 0.545"/0.545"
LSA 113

(from the label on the Comp cams box beside me that held my XE262AH cams, LSA from here..)

and the Hitech Stg 1 are:
Duration:
I/E 230/224
Lift:
I/E 0.550"/0.500"
LSA 112

Ford Camshafts - Performance EFI Tuning / EFI Dyno Tuning Experts - Elk River, Minnesota - Midwest Region

(I'm assuming they did I/E though those numbers suggest they may be showing E/I...maybe someone can clarify...)

I'd rather have that additional 0.050" lift on the Comp cams myself and the 113LSA (versus 112) for streetability and emissions.

 

[281CI96Coupe]

Thank you for your break down man!!! It seems you have great things to say about comp cam, how much power you made before you were blown?

 

[mogs01gt]

There isnt any noticeable difference in streetability with the 113lsa compared to the 112 lsa. Now when you get down into the 110, 109 range, big difference.

I run the 262ah cams.

 

[trinity_gt]

Thank you for your break down man!!! It seems you have great things to say about comp cam, how much power you made before you were blown?

Well, the Comps have been zero trouble for me. Slightly noticeable idle (sounds good with the Steeda C/B), little bit of car body shake now and again at stoplights etc. More importantly the cams lost nothing down low (a bit fear of mine, pre-blower) and gained a solid 30HP at redline. If I recall correctly, pre cams it was right around 250 at the wheels and afterwards 269. However, that was peak to peak and I remember noting the OE cams fell off after 5500 quite a bit more than the 262s leading to a gain up there of close to 30HP.

As an added bonus, I didn't even have to swap springs. The factory springs have been fine with these cams. $$$ savings and little to worry about in terms of breakage (I've heard early aftermarket offerings suffered from breakage issues...) Now that I'm blown I might consider upgrading the springs but it wouldn't be because of the cams.

If you plan on going FI in the future, you might want to think about staying with the stock cam. These cams may actually hurt in a blower application because of their LSA (the Hitech's might be even worse at just 112.) I think my numbers might be a little low because of this; I'dve expected somewhat more than 385 with the 9psi pulley... Then again, that was breathing through the factory airbox and paper filter and with the 4-cat OR H-pipe back in place (for emissions testing...) I need to get a WB and boost gauge on it to ensure the mix is safe and that I'm getting the full boost I expect.

That'll have to wait till I get a job. lol

 

[281CI96Coupe]

Yeah, Im staying N/A with this GT so it would be a toss up between both those cams. So far I like what I hear.

 

[Green&GoldGT]

Hitechs philosphy on PI heads it that you need to favor the intake over the exhaust. I'd bet that you'd gain low end torque with the Hitechs, instead of staying the same with 262s. They are newer technology also, but there is nothing wrong with Comp262s. I'd go for the Hitechs.