• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

PI cam installation worth it??

  • Thread starter Thread starter xmikevankuikenx
  • Start date Start date Jan 1, 2006
Prev
  • 1
  • 2
First Prev 2 of 2

CanadaStang

New Member
Sep 7, 2003
2,093
1
0
Mb
Jan 9, 2006
#21
  • Jan 9, 2006
  • #21
TGJ said:
So why can't the pressed on PI cams work? Those are the PI cams that are currently in my TBird.

I believe you can use the cam gears but you will require the PI cam bolts. Maybe someone who used the newer PI cams can answer that.
Click to expand...

The cams with the press on gear from the Windsors will work, it's just that the gear cannot be removed from the cams.
 
T

TGJ

New Member
Mar 30, 2005
1,049
4
0
Jan 9, 2006
#22
  • Jan 9, 2006
  • #22
CanadaStang said:
The cams with the press on gear from the Windsors will work, it's just that the gear cannot be removed from the cams.
Click to expand...

I know they will work, they are what I have!

I was wondering why he said they wouldn't,
 
X

xmikevankuikenx

New Member
Oct 16, 2005
29
0
1
Jan 10, 2006
#23
  • Jan 10, 2006
  • #23
Well, I was wondering if I could use my stock cam gears (from a 96) for the 2001 PI cams I'm installing. If not, then I'd have to get some PI gears. I was saying the gears from the 99-00 cams can't be put on my 01 PI cams b/c from what I understand, they can't be removed...so I couldn't buy just the cam gears alone and slip them on.
 

CanadaStang

New Member
Sep 7, 2003
2,093
1
0
Mb
Jan 10, 2006
#24
  • Jan 10, 2006
  • #24
xmikevankuikenx said:
Well, I was wondering if I could use my stock cam gears (from a 96) for the 2001 PI cams I'm installing. If not, then I'd have to get some PI gears. I was saying the gears from the 99-00 cams can't be put on my 01 PI cams b/c from what I understand, they can't be removed...so I couldn't buy just the cam gears alone and slip them on.
Click to expand...
Oh Ok, yes your stock cam gears will work.
 
M

Mel96GT

New Member
Aug 31, 2004
255
1
0
San Diego
Jan 10, 2006
#25
  • Jan 10, 2006
  • #25
I installed PI cams with the PI intake. I like the PI intake. However, the PI cam install was tedious but fairly fast with the Anderson tool. You only remove the valve covers and the cams since the special tool locks the chains so the cams can be removed from the gears. I would say the PI cams give you a few more horses up top but a slight low-end torque loss. I went from 24 mpg to 20 mpg on the highway with the PI cams but the engine can rev to 5500+ rpm's. All this is with the stock tune but I am not yet done with the mods. It definitely needs a dyno tune since it seems to run rich. This is a cheap mod if you can live with the mileage. I dyno'd 200 rwhp with PI cams, PI intake, Magnaflows and K&N FIPK.

Is it worth it? I think you are better off with the stock cams since the PI cams are designed for PI heads and they suck gas with the NPI heads. I would just stick to the stock cams unless you have some 3.73-4.10 gears in back to take advantage of the higher-rpm capabilities. YMMV.
 

LI98GTStang

Founding Member
Jun 22, 2000
1,715
0
36
L.I., NY
Jan 10, 2006
#26
  • Jan 10, 2006
  • #26
FWIW, I noticed no loss of torque with the PI cams with my install. Possibly the loss with the PI cams that Mel96GT experienced was either due to the fact that mine is a '98 with a more agressive (stock) tune or the maybe the order of install has something to do with it? I say the order may make a difference because when I installed the PI intake by itself, my car lossed 7tq on the dyno, but gained hp up top. Some people have, like Mel have experienced just the opposite. Order of install for me was PI cams then PI intake.

Also no difference in gas mileage from pre to post pi cams or pi intake for me. I get around 19 local and 24.5 hwy.
 
T

TGJ

New Member
Mar 30, 2005
1,049
4
0
Jan 10, 2006
#27
  • Jan 10, 2006
  • #27
Mel96GT said:
I installed PI cams with the PI intake. I like the PI intake. However, the PI cam install was tedious but fairly fast with the Anderson tool. You only remove the valve covers and the cams since the special tool locks the chains so the cams can be removed from the gears. I would say the PI cams give you a few more horses up top but a slight low-end torque loss. I went from 24 mpg to 20 mpg on the highway with the PI cams but the engine can rev to 5500+ rpm's. All this is with the stock tune but I am not yet done with the mods. It definitely needs a dyno tune since it seems to run rich. This is a cheap mod if you can live with the mileage. I dyno'd 200 rwhp with PI cams, PI intake, Magnaflows and K&N FIPK.

Is it worth it? I think you are better off with the stock cams since the PI cams are designed for PI heads and they suck gas with the NPI heads. I would just stick to the stock cams unless you have some 3.73-4.10 gears in back to take advantage of the higher-rpm capabilities. YMMV.
Click to expand...

A lot of people who took the short-cut and used the Anderson POS tool, have found that the cam gears slipped while installing the cams. They didn't notice that the slip had happened and they had problems like you describe. Just an FYI!
 
M

Mel96GT

New Member
Aug 31, 2004
255
1
0
San Diego
Jan 11, 2006
#28
  • Jan 11, 2006
  • #28
TGJ said:
A lot of people who took the short-cut and used the Anderson POS tool, have found that the cam gears slipped while installing the cams. They didn't notice that the slip had happened and they had problems like you describe. Just an FYI!
Click to expand...

Now you really got me thinking. The cam gears never slipped off the chain. However, I never saw the crank gears. The car runs great, idles and revs fine, BUT the mileage dropped and low-end is a slight loss. What problems do others have when their gears slipped and cams aren't placed right? Just curious.
 
T

TGJ

New Member
Mar 30, 2005
1,049
4
0
Jan 11, 2006
#29
  • Jan 11, 2006
  • #29
Mel96GT said:

Now you really got me thinking. The cam gears never slipped off the chain. However, I never saw the crank gears. The car runs great, idles and revs fine, BUT the mileage dropped and low-end is a slight loss. What problems do others have when their gears slipped and cams aren't placed right? Just curious.
Click to expand...

1 cam off by 1 tooth = car runs and idles fine but loss of gas mileage, and loss of power.

both cams off by 1 tooth = Car had idling issues, bad gas mileage and lack of power.

1 or both cam(s) off by 2 or more teeth = broken parts.

A PI cammed NPI headed car should not lose power at all and should see gains from around 2500 RPM and up. Since you lost power and are having gas mileage issues, I am willing to bet one of your cams is off by 1 tooth.
 
M

Mel96GT

New Member
Aug 31, 2004
255
1
0
San Diego
Jan 11, 2006
#30
  • Jan 11, 2006
  • #30
TGJ said:
1 cam off by 1 tooth = car runs and idles fine but loss of gas mileage, and loss of power.

both cams off by 1 tooth = Car had idling issues, bad gas mileage and lack of power.

1 or both cam(s) off by 2 or more teeth = broken parts.

A PI cammed NPI headed car should not lose power at all and should see gains from around 2500 RPM and up. Since you lost power and are having gas mileage issues, I am willing to bet one of your cams is off by 1 tooth.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. You are right, there is more power at +2500 rpm. The loss of low-end barely noticeable. I will keep an eye on this situation and figure something out, maybe I am being too picky! Would there be a loss of power throughout the whole rpm range if one tooth was off?
 

CanadaStang

New Member
Sep 7, 2003
2,093
1
0
Mb
Jan 11, 2006
#31
  • Jan 11, 2006
  • #31
Mel96GT said:
Thanks for the info. You are right, there is more power at +2500 rpm. The loss of low-end barely noticeable. I will keep an eye on this situation and figure something out, maybe I am being too picky! Would there be a loss of power throughout the whole rpm range if one tooth was off?
Click to expand...

If you do a compression test and notice that one bank of cylinders are all 10psi or so lower than the other side, then you are likely off a tooth on the side with the lower reading.
 
Prev
  • 1
  • 2
First Prev 2 of 2
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

E
4.6l auto to 5.4l 6 speed
  • EastanF5
  • Jan 22, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
0
Views
179
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Jan 22, 2026
EastanF5
E
1
Engine Motor swap from a 2003 Explorer
  • 1996mustang new
  • Oct 9, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
571
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Oct 16, 2025
squeak93
K
Resolved Need some assistance. Holley Terminator X alongside H/C/I. Very rough/inconsistent idle
  • karhoot
  • Jun 6, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
0
Views
87
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 6, 2026
karhoot
K
Fox Fuel Pump Issues After Replacement/Upgrade
  • Ryu
  • Jun 23, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
23
Views
536
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jul 5, 2026
Ryu
S
Engine 2003 Mach 1 Automatic Upgrades assistance
  • SJK1417M1AT
  • Sep 25, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
3
Views
289
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Dec 21, 2025
01SVTvertt
0
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?