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

Quick Question On Installing Cams

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ivan
  • Start date Start date Apr 30, 2013
I

Ivan

New Member
Apr 30, 2013
1
0
1
Apr 30, 2013
#1
  • Apr 30, 2013
  • #1
Im about to install my stage 2 comp cams and idk if I should get better pistons or keep my factory ones. My car has 160k miles so idk if I should get new pistons or not, any help with this?
 

flstang65

10 Year Member
Dec 6, 2007
1,484
135
94
SE Georgia
May 1, 2013
#2
  • May 1, 2013
  • #2
How well have you taken car of the car? If you are going to do pistons, might as well do the whole rotating assembly.
 

Modular2v

Founding Member
Jun 30, 2002
3,222
23
99
oklahoma
May 1, 2013
#3
  • May 1, 2013
  • #3
Do you have forced induction? Are you on the verge of making 420-450hp? If not then I would not touch the pistons (unless you need them notched for said cams) These cars are very immune to the mileage factor if taken care of a well maintained. When I pulled my factory shortblock apart to the mmr 4.75 in, I didn't even have to have the block bored the cylinder walls were in such good condition (actually the whole motor was)and it had 100k miles on it. The material newer engines are made out of seems to be far superior to 1960s.
 

WrenchThrower

New Member
Apr 17, 2013
14
0
2
May 2, 2013
#4
  • May 2, 2013
  • #4
You can just have them fly cut for PTV clearance. I wouldn't be oppossed to a bearing re-fresh/hone/re-ring.
Iv'e seen many o many an engine with super high hours have just new/dif pistons/ rings/ no hone, no new bearings just thrown in and work just fine running rated for hours. Theorectically it's a thing that shouldn't be done, but in reality it sometimes works fine. Exceptions can be made more often than one thinks, but then something silly can thrash a whole engine like a mixed up rod cap or a yeilded bolt.
 

fords2live

Member
Apr 12, 2013
84
4
9
May 3, 2013
#5
  • May 3, 2013
  • #5
Idk man. I think if you have the money for the work to get new pistons, you should definitely do it. Especially if you got some dome pistons. Idk what you consider stage 2, but Jumping up the compression will double the power difference you'll feel rather than just adding the cam. I don't know if your on a budget or not but Part # KB116 would probably do some justice. T6 Hyperuetectic for $335 plus $30 for rings. Premium Gas only though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

My next project , a 428 build!
  • horse sence
  • Jul 29, 2026
  • Classic Mustang Specific Tech
  • 2 3 4
Replies
69
Views
1K
Classic Mustang Specific Tech Sunday at 3:25 PM
horse sence
Engine Random Misfire at idle.
  • Gulftown980x
  • Jul 29, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
11
Views
332
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Jul 31, 2026
squeak93
9
Does anyone else have a combo close to this
  • 90Stanger302
  • Dec 10, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
274
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Dec 25, 2025
Qtrhrse23
P
market for 2.3L? i wanna sell
  • Patk
  • Dec 6, 2025
  • 2.3L (N/A & Turbo) Tech
Replies
5
Views
287
2.3L (N/A & Turbo) Tech Dec 7, 2025
rednotch
Ford truck engine swap issues
  • keel
  • Jul 7, 2026
  • Other Auto Tech
Replies
17
Views
413
Other Auto Tech Jul 13, 2026
General karthief
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?