whats up guys, i have a 02 gt but am a previous owner of a 98 z28, and 99 ss, and for the ls1s..cams were HUGE..some added in the ballpark of 30-40rwhp with the right tune..are heads/cams possible for 99+ gts? im looking to get 290-300rwhp staying n/a, is this possible? if so..what are some good cams for a street driven 5 speed GT, thanks again.
Do Heads and Cams do anything for our cars?
- Thread starter derek02gt
- Start date
MDGT
New Member
Yes, 290-300rwhp is very attainable N/A. There are even some 2Vs out there with a lot more than that (320rwhp+).
VT Engines makes a good cam, I have seen their stage II cam (Streetable) add ~20rwhp untuned alone. A good set of cams coupled with a set of good flowing heads can net around 30-50rwhp n/a, it really depends what they flow.
VT Engines makes a good cam, I have seen their stage II cam (Streetable) add ~20rwhp untuned alone. A good set of cams coupled with a set of good flowing heads can net around 30-50rwhp n/a, it really depends what they flow.
Attainable, but typically expensive. I ran about 270/285 with a fat tune, quite a few bolt-ons and heads/cams (VT cams). I've since had the tune cleaned up, bumped the timing a couple degrees with no problem, but have not had the car back on the dyno.
It's achievable, yes, but you've almost got to be obsessed with making power N/A to do it. My goal is to install a forged rotating assembly and drop a blower on it next (that's why I went w/ blower cams). The porting opened up the combustion chamber about 4cc's on mine (from 42cc to 46cc), so all things condered I'll be ready for boost... however, I'll "suffer" a little in the meantime as a result of the exhaust biased lift, the overlap, and the slightly reduced compression.
VT makes a nice Stage II N/A cam that is still streetable, but lumpy for sure. You might look into that. They also documented a 28 RWHP increase with the stage II cams on an otherwise stock GT. Amazingly enough, it was 28 at peak, but I believe it made 50+ more on the big end of the curve!
There are quite a few people putting down 300 N/A - so it can definitely be done. Just be prepared to spend a few bucks to do it.
Jay
It's achievable, yes, but you've almost got to be obsessed with making power N/A to do it. My goal is to install a forged rotating assembly and drop a blower on it next (that's why I went w/ blower cams). The porting opened up the combustion chamber about 4cc's on mine (from 42cc to 46cc), so all things condered I'll be ready for boost... however, I'll "suffer" a little in the meantime as a result of the exhaust biased lift, the overlap, and the slightly reduced compression.
VT makes a nice Stage II N/A cam that is still streetable, but lumpy for sure. You might look into that. They also documented a 28 RWHP increase with the stage II cams on an otherwise stock GT. Amazingly enough, it was 28 at peak, but I believe it made 50+ more on the big end of the curve!
There are quite a few people putting down 300 N/A - so it can definitely be done. Just be prepared to spend a few bucks to do it.
Jay
I think that could be a fair estimate in the power department. The have them on ModularDepot.com for $569/pair.
MD - Camshafts
The VT Engines guys also frequent StangNet and ModularDepot - they are good people and helpful if you need them.
Jay
MD - Camshafts
The VT Engines guys also frequent StangNet and ModularDepot - they are good people and helpful if you need them.
Jay
40th GT
New Member
40th GT
New Member
You're probably going to have a tough time passing a sniffer or tailpipe test with any aftermarket cam. If your state does the OBDII test and the cam doesn't trip the SES light you might get away with it. No cam manufacturer can guarantee their cam to pass emission testing.
Jay
Jay
i live in florida..no emissions
gt2000jay im going to get a set of the vt comp camps for 569...do i have to get anything else for the install or to support the cams? i love my mustang but damn, i wish it made more power stock..it seems all i need is a blower which i plan on getting, but even with a blower..full bolton ls1's with a mild calm will still shoot right past me...i wanna build this engine tough before i add the blower.
gt2000jay im going to get a set of the vt comp camps for 569...do i have to get anything else for the install or to support the cams? i love my mustang but damn, i wish it made more power stock..it seems all i need is a blower which i plan on getting, but even with a blower..full bolton ls1's with a mild calm will still shoot right past me...i wanna build this engine tough before i add the blower.derek02gt said:i live in florida..no emissions
Yep - if you go with the high lift cams (Stage II) you definitely want to replace the springs. Comp makes a good spring - a set will run you just under $200.. You'll also need valve cover, intake and timing cover gaskets (around $60-80).
Good luck - I can relate to your sentiments.
Jay
mustang35thann
Founding Member
I just did that exact thing on my 99 GT. I have quite a few bolt-ons and didn't have much else to do. So, here is what I had installed:
1) SHM Stg 1 ported and polished heads
2) SHM Hot Street/Strip cam
After a Superchips Custome Tune I ended up gaining 54 rwhp and 14 rwtq. The car is lumpy, but I love the sound. I can definitely tell the difference.
Let me know if you have any further questions.
1) SHM Stg 1 ported and polished heads
2) SHM Hot Street/Strip cam
After a Superchips Custome Tune I ended up gaining 54 rwhp and 14 rwtq. The car is lumpy, but I love the sound. I can definitely tell the difference.
Let me know if you have any further questions.
lopey4.6
20+ Year Stangneter 
nickthegenius
Active Member
derek02gt said:
I just got my car back Thursday. It was tuned using Pro-M software which is fairly new. It took him 3 pulls to get the car right and the sheet I got was from the third pull after the car was warmed up. It put down 290hp/300 and I was pleased. I honestly think that this fall if I redyno, it could put down 300hp with nothing other than letting the car cool before the pull and the fact that the motor will probably still loosen up a little. It only has 5,200 miles.
I have '03 GT with the following goodies:
- CompCams XE270AH cams
- CompCams springs
- Mac LT's
- Trubendz X-pipe (big POS, bent by Ray Charles himself)
- Spintech Sportsmans welded into Magnaflow catback
- Steeda CAI
- C&L Plenum
- Accufab 75mm TB
- Steeda U/D pullies
No ported heads, etc. I'm pretty darn happy with the results. The only thing is I had the Sportsmans put in at the shop and I'm almost thinking they're too loud....I must be getting old.
As far as installation, a friend of mine and I did the cams and springs. It isn't an overly difficult job, but you may invent a few new curse word combinations while installing the springs. The cams are actually really easy especially with the AFM cam chain tool. For $29, it saves a lot of work. Also, the OTC valve spring tool that everyone uses is a must. That is the only way you are going to do the springs in the car. The only thing that we found is that we had to grind the tool out a little because it kept dragging the keepers off the stems when we were installing the springs. Otherwise, it does the job very well.
Many people on here and Mod Depot recommend bringing each piston to TDC when changing the springs and let the valves rest on the top of the piston. We didn't. We used compressed air in the cylinders to keep them shut. It worked flawlessly, but you will need a hose to screw into the sparkplug hole and an air compressor.
Here is the AFM tool. It wedges in the chains and keeps everything locked in place so you can change the cams without pulling the front cover.
hmm..now im stuck between comp cams and vt stage II camps.., im looking at the comp cams, and nickthegenius has xe270ah..those are the comp camp hot street pi..theres PI and non-PI, which one do i need to get? i just need to find out what will net me more power uptop..the vt stage II or the xe270ah. appreciate all the responses people.
LS2 KLR
Member
I just had my Vt stage lls installed last night 
They sound nasty as hell and will be getting a retune this week to go along with my Nos direct port nitrous system(150 shot). I previously made 275 with bolt ons and a little over 300 on new shortblock and SHM cams. I'm hoping to pick up 10rwhp with the new cams. I'd love to show you guys a vid of my car but need a host 
They sound nasty as hell and will be getting a retune this week to go along with my Nos direct port nitrous system(150 shot). I previously made 275 with bolt ons and a little over 300 on new shortblock and SHM cams. I'm hoping to pick up 10rwhp with the new cams. I'd love to show you guys a vid of my car but need a host 
