Finished install of Comp Cams

kboy262

Active Member
Apr 20, 2003
437
0
26
Atlanta-Kennesaw
Just finished up the install of the 268H cams in my 98 Mustang. The install was not too bad. I was using the Anderson tool I bought from a buddy of mine. Total time was right at around 2 hours. I cannot see how only one person can do this though. What I did was one person held onto the tool and sprocket and the other pulled on the cam and swapped it out with the other. Well I think the hardest part was dealing with the valve covers. The driver side was actually the easiest. All I had to do was unhook the clutch cable and that was it. The passenger side was a PITA. Being a 98 the fuel lines were all in the way and there was a cover bracket that served no purpose that prevented me from getting the valve cover off. Anyway that was THE hardest part of the job. Anther problem with the valve cover was getting the gasket to stay on the valve cover. Well it didn't and I ended up losing about 3 qts of oil during some driving. Hopefully I fixed it this morning and so far so good. Now to the best part, "the sound and power". :hail2: It is amazing how the sound changed. It is deeper and louder. The lope at idle makes me think I am in a pushrod motor. I just love to sit behind it and listen to it idle. By the way my exhaust consist of o/r H-pipe and a bassani catback. Now the power is so much better. This was the first time I have seen my car hit 6000rpm without it chocking out. Now all I need now is some gears and either do the PI intake or the SVO blower. My times before the swap was a 14.2 with the typical bolt-ons. Hopefully with some practice and a good launch I will be able to dip into the 13s. The point of this long write-up is that do not be scared of the cam swap. Just take your time, have some extra hands, and enjoy the new life your motor will bring. :D
 
Sorry I was not able to get any pictures. I was late for work and I forgot to grab my camera, because right after work is when I went to my buddies house to do the cams. I read some posts in the past about people having problems with the base circle on the comp cams and causing noises in the valve train. Mine though were very quiet and have so far no issues. I do need to have it dyno tune because it serges quite a bit with the A/C on. It so worth it though. Good luck with the 274H. You will like them.
 
Cam swap was easy huh? I was the buddy that helped him swap them. I had done mine so it went really smooth. I though that gasket was in place man, why didnt you call and we coulda got it straight. Kraw when we doing yours? I wanted to go to the track now that I am pushing 12psi, but it rained tonight, although I may go friday, let me know if you are free! I cant wait to see how she runs!
 
Drew1287 said:
Cam swap was easy huh? I was the buddy that helped him swap them. I had done mine so it went really smooth. I though that gasket was in place man, why didnt you call and we coulda got it straight. Kraw when we doing yours? I wanted to go to the track now that I am pushing 12psi, but it rained tonight, although I may go friday, let me know if you are free! I cant wait to see how she runs!


me? I don't have much need for a cam in my Jeep :)
 
Drew,
Can you give us any pointers on what to do and what not to do. Any other tools that you would recommend getting prior to the install. Any other parts, such as, did you get new cam sprockets and cam sprocket bolts? I thought the bolts were TTY one time use!
 
The 268s we both are using have a really nice lope, You need the anderson tool and a second set of hands for sure, its really simple and the cams come with an new sprocket bolt, you reuse the sprocket and never take it out of the chain. The whole thing is that if you get a NPI grind cam for your NPI heads you dont have to change the valve springs, if you put in PI grind cams you need to change the springs. The anderson tool makes it really easy and it only took roughly 2 hours and that is with us taking a break to go to a fire call. Kraw, I thought you had a stang man! If you come down with kevin next time Ill take you for a ride in my car, I know kevin enjoyed it!
 
Drew1287 said:
The 268s we both are using have a really nice lope, You need the anderson tool and a second set of hands for sure, its really simple and the cams come with an new sprocket bolt, you reuse the sprocket and never take it out of the chain. The whole thing is that if you get a NPI grind cam for your NPI heads you dont have to change the valve springs, if you put in PI grind cams you need to change the springs. The anderson tool makes it really easy and it only took roughly 2 hours and that is with us taking a break to go to a fire call. Kraw, I thought you had a stang man! If you come down with kevin next time Ill take you for a ride in my car, I know kevin enjoyed it!

The newest 5.0 Mustang & Super Ford says only the smallest non-PI cam can get away with the stock springs. All others need the new spings. Is this wrong?
 
Drew1287 was the only reason why I did my cams. He helped me out quite a bit. Lets just say I was very nervous during the swap. Derek assured me that it will work. Well it did. The question about these cams working with the non-PI is that the Comp Cams have less lift than the factory PI cams. I believe the PI lift is around .515 and my comps are .495 (that is what my cam card says at least). Right now I am finally getting the idle to work smoothly and I am having no other problems as of right now. No more oil leaks! After messing with it I took out for drive around town and I swear I get a bigger smile every time run it up to 5500. I just need to do something about the darn intake.
 
Well now that you are an expert it seems I need to get you to help with mine now. With the extra HP you've gotten I guess my 4.10's won't help me much anymore. Can't wait to take a listen and ride.
 
Drew1287 said:
Kraw, I thought you had a stang man! If you come down with kevin next time Ill take you for a ride in my car, I know kevin enjoyed it!


nope, not me... the wife ;)

Kevin never invites me to go anywhere, says I'm embarassing to be around :shrug:

/me feels like posting pics now

stang_show_03.webp

our GT, Mike's GT, Kevin's GT - Opstangs :D
stang_show_04.webp

z_GingerGTrear.JPG
 

Attachments

  • stang_show_03.webp
    stang_show_03.webp
    28.7 KB · Views: 152
  • stang_show_04.webp
    stang_show_04.webp
    28.8 KB · Views: 164