PI cams and springs

tjmaxx

Member
Jun 21, 2004
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I ma considering buying some PI cams and springs with 10mm bolts for $100 for my 96 GT. They have 48k miles on them. Does this seem like an okay deal? I know a guy that will sell me some for cheaper but the $100 ones I can pick up and look at before I buy because there in driving distance. Will I be able to run them in my non PI engine until I can get PI heads and intake? How much hp should just the cams give me? I wrote the same in the tech section so I figure I may get more answers in the talk.
 
The cams alone will give you a few horses and higher rpm's. You really need the PI intake to go with the PI cams since the NPI intake will start to choke out at around 4,500 rpm's. You can run your stock springs with the PI cams. Another thing, 3.73 rear end gears will help since your torque and HP curves will be moved up to a higher RPM range. $100 bucks is okay as long as they are in good shape.
 
The cams and intake will give you a nice bump...get a tune to get the full effect. My suggestion would be to forget about the heads unless you get them real cheap. The work involved doing the cam swap then going back to do heads isn't worth it. If you really want to do the headswap then just wait.

Cams and intake will net about 20-25 HP. The full headswap about 40. I installed Comp 262's and the PI intake and gained about 35 HP.
 
Yea I actually ran across a deal on some for about $120 plus shipping but I get the PI intake and the PI cams so I thought that was pretty good. The guy said it comes with a plenum also but I dont know if there is a difference between the stock 96 GT plenum and the PI plenum? Does this sound like a better deal as long as I dont get raiped on shipping? I plan on getting the stuff and possibly waiting to put them on. Do I need the upper and lower PI intake?
 
No the intake and cams together for actually $110, plus shipping for probably $20? It also comes with a plenum but it doesnt look stock. Im just going to buy from this guy it seems like a better deal.
 
Does anyone know ifmy stock cam gears will work with the PI cams?

Yes they will. In fact, you can install the PI cams without removing the gears from the chain. Just make sure the cams are from a 2001 or newer PI engine since the early PI cams had pressed on cam gears. You need either the Ford Anderson Cam-changing tool (which I used) or Ford also makes one. You will re-use your NPI cam bolt and spacer.
 
How much does that tool cost? I have a feeling there out of a 1999 GT.

The tool costs about $30 from Ford Anderson Motorsports. The directions are simple but you need to take your time. As long as the cams have the bolted gears you are fine. My cams came from a 2003 GT.

You can use the pressed-on-gear camshafts from a 99 but you will need to remove the front timing chain cover, crank gear, etc to install them and then you won't need the cam tool but a toolbox!
 
I asked the guy and he said they came off of a 2003 GT so im pretty happy about that. Im getting the cams, intake, and another stock plenum for $140 shipped, I think this is a good deal.

Another question would be what type of heads should I go with? Also should I get a handheld tuner when I do the PI upgrade.

And I have 4.10's already so that should make the torque curve better.