PI cam swap finished

[bhuff30]

I finished the PI cam swap. The main purpose was actually to inspect and replace the chain guides, since I was getting some noise on the cold mornings. I decided that if I'm taking off the timing cover, I can throw on a set of PI cams while I'm in there. So I got a new set of take off PI cams for 35$ plus shipping (actually new, from a set of new PI heads which got aftermarket cams).

All I have to say, is that the 4.6 is a pain in the ass to work on! Taking the power steering pump off is mind numbing unless you want to open and purge the system (which I would rather not), and the gaskets for the valve covers are impossible to keep in place while trying to squeeze the valve covers in place. Totally, I spent around 15hrs doing the labor, but if I didn't want to pull the cover for the chain guides, it could have been much faster.

The guides weren't in bad shape. The tension side guides were maybe half worn, which isn't bad for 175k miles. I replaced those and bolted everything back together. I honestly don't notice much difference with the PI cams... the power change is very subtle. I think the torque band feels a bit broader, and it likes to rev a little more though. I doubt the 15hp claim, but it does seem to have a broader torque band.

 

[sneaky98gt]

Good to hear you got it all back together without incident.

I didn't notice a big difference with the cams or intake either, until I got a tune along with it. That turned it on.

 

[bhuff30]

Yeah, I know it was pretty rich on the top end with just the H-pipe. I can imagine it is even worse now.

 

[D-BOI]

JLT sells the sct scanners and if you call them they program a custom tune for your car, if you tell them about your mods, thats what im doing for mine, thats what a few of my friends do, not that im too familiar with tuning but its just an idea. I have to swap my pi cams and intake as soon as i feel better from this damn tonsillectomy....

 

[Mr. Rustypwnz]

damn i put my cams in in about an hour and i just did a boss wanna be 97 gt, in 3 hours and the covers had never come off.

 

[patman0911]

It's hard to feel 15 HP (if it's even fully 15HP) since it's not really a huge kick in power, it's more like torque isn't falling off quite as fast after the peak. What I really noticed was about an extra 500 RPM before the motor fell on its face. Get the PI intake and you'll get another 500 RPMs and you'll actually be able to use the motor all the way up to 6K.

A tune will help too. I've just got a timing adjuster but a few extra degrees of timing made a big difference in the feel of the motor, especially in the lower RPM range. A real tune would be even better.

Next time you have the valve covers off, run a thin bead of RTV in the gasket channel in the valve covers - just enough to hold the gaskets, not so much where it's gooping out all over the place - then install the gaskets and let it dry. That will help tremendously with reinstallation of the valve covers. I struggled the first time i had them off too.

 

[bhuff30]

I do agree, it just feels like I have a few more rpm to work with. That's what I meant by a broader torque band I guess.

The RVT trick is exactly what I did this time.

Next, I'll probably try to find a good deal on a PI intake and slap it on. Then, for a tune, I'd like to buy something I can do my own tuning with. I'll get a tweecer or something along those lines.

Next time you have the valve covers off, run a thin bead of RTV in the gasket channel in the valve covers - just enough to hold the gaskets, not so much where it's gooping out all over the place - then install the gaskets and let it dry. That will help tremendously with reinstallation of the valve covers. I struggled the first time i had them off too.

 

[98COBRA281]

get the pi intake on there, they work together, thats when you will really feel the difference.....