keep NPI and do Cams or not?

[Dusstbuster]

Right now my budget for the year is shot, but come tax return time im expecting about $800. Ive been tossing the idea around of doing the PI swap but read that if you plan on boosting your car its better to just stay with the NPI heads. I do eventually plan to have a centerfugial hooked up to the car (eventually as in within the next 5 years). With that in mind, would it be a better way to spend my money by getting some VT stage 1 cams and put those on the NPI heads, that is, if they even work on NPI heads? Im kinda lost with all the possiblities that are available and have tried to read as many threads on this as possible but have never found a definitive answer.

So cut and dried heres the main question:
If i plan on boosting the car eventually, would it be better to buy Stage 1 Cams with the tax return money and keep the NPI heads on, and go from there, or do the PI swap? Keep in mind that money is tight and will become even tighter as I start college next fall. Right now im not looking for outrageous gains, just the best gains for my money at the moment. I also plan on getting a SCT 2. That is all, thank you!

 

[NPIGT]

maybe for your setup you should think about PI Cams and Intake manifold. That way you dont bump compression and still get a good gain.

 

[Dusstbuster]

yeah i just realized i said VT stage 1's which are a .54 lift or whatever, too much for NPI heads right? haha im retarded, either way, i just mean a more aggressive cam...which one is better i guess is another thing you guys could help me on. I just love the sound of cams that sound fairly aggressive, the CHUG CHUG CHUG makes me drool

 

[Built98GT]

If your planning on boosting it but think your compression ratio will be to high with pi heads you should read up on what a thicker gasket can do to your compression ratio.better yet use your 800 dollars and save a little more and build your shortblock for boost,then do pi heads and some cams.Im guessing since your car is a 96 that is has some good miles on it so that stock bottom end is not gonna like the thought of a supercharger newayz.but if you dont wanna change heads i have some stock pi cams ill sell ya for 75 bucks!

 

[ADRENLN]

yea i think you could change to the pi set up, and worry about droping compression later when you get the blower., because the compression can be droped. either buy the gaskets like stated earlier or by getting a built block. pi heads, cams, intake will give you some performance now.

i do think before you throw the blower on, you should get a forged block. that is what im going to do.

 

[Mel96GT]

I would go with a PI intake and gears. The PI cams are nice but you have to rev higher to get slightly more power. This affects your gas mileage and it doesn't give you as much low-end torque as I thought they would. You basically need the PI heads to take full advantage of the PI cams, IMHO. BTW, there is no such thing as a "budget supercharger", you're looking at $3,000+ to go FI, not including a rebuild.

 

[Dusstbuster]

Alright well with the PI swap being what most of you are saying i have another question then haha. Do the swap heads usually come with PI cams in them or are you expected to get cams for them on your own? Also what do you think a general estimate would be labor-wise to do the swap? I have a guy that can do it for fairly cheap probably, and for all i know we could do it here too although we dont have very good tools for the job....my dad has done an engine swap so hes somewhat knowledgeable on the stuff. The car has 87,000 or so on it right now so the mileage isnt THAT bad, but it could be lower obviously. Keep in mind that im only getting 800 from taxes and im not getting a very good cash flow during the winter (paying 250 a month for insurance/car payment, would be 350 if parents wernt willing to help on insurance) and im only getting 360-440 a month. Right now im holding off on gears because we all know, at least those of us who have driven on glare ice, that winter driving in a mustang sucks enough with stock gears.

The way things are going too, who knows if my car will be in one piece after this winter. Tried to take a right today after school and did a 450 and ended up going LEFT because of the ice. I guess my assumption that tires would give me more traction was way off, i was sliding all over the place. Winter is going to kick my a** this year...

 

[ADRENLN]

depends where you get the heads from. if you buy them new, i believe its just the heads. then you would have to get the cams too. i think. if you buy them used it just depende on the seller if they are together or not.

 

[LI98GTStang]

I would go with the PI cams and PI intake. Sounds like your really money strapped and for $75.00 for the used cams (used set listed above) and about $150.00 for the PI intake and your good to go for about 20-30rwhp. Nice bump for a little money and your car is not only as reliable as your current all NPI, but is even more so if you get a PI intake with the aluminum crossover. Also you still get to run on regular gas, keeping money in the loop here. If you went full PI heads, then you would have to use a higher grade fuel to prevent detonation.

Then save for gears to get that extra kick later on. Don't forget the sandbags $15.00 at walmart to keep the rear weighed down on snowy/icey conditions.

 

[Dusstbuster]

sandbags are $7 at menards haha, already have 4 70lb sandbags but i dont know if i want to deal with possibly screwing up my new shocks. I think i might invest in some winter tires for my old 15"s and get my parents to pay for them, ill try use the "would you rather spend maybe 180 on tires or have my car get totaled blah blah" OR get a winter beater. Either way somethings gotta change otherwise i wont be worrying about what to do to get power come tax return time. I think right now ill probably go with the PI intake mani and PI cams, that way if i ever decide to do PI heads i have the PI cams ready to swap into them. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Built98GT]

Also those pi cams i said for 75 bucks are brand new cams.I bought brand new pi heads and put comp cams in right away so i took the pi cams out.So if anyone needs pi cams hit me up.

 

[LI98GTStang]

I think right now ill probably go with the PI intake mani and PI cams, that way if i ever decide to do PI heads i have the PI cams ready to swap into them. Thanks for the help guys.

You also have the PI intake that you can reuse with the full PI headswap.

 

[ponysarepretty]

Invest the 800 in stocks...

listen to the voice of reason