Self-installing Cams

BlackenedSVT · Jun 1, 2007

Hey there guys. I have a dyno date in july with JDM engineering here in new jersey so i'd like to add CAMS to my list of mods before i go down there to get a tune. I'm leaning towards VT Stage 1 Cams, can someone suggest maybe some other alternatives that they'd had good experiences with??

Also, do you think using the stock valve springs is good enough with the stage 1 cams? Or would i see more HP out of swapping in new springs too?

Also, i can't seem to find the write ups on the self-cam installs. I'll be installing the cams myself to save myself the like $1500 the shop wanted to install them.

BlackenedSVT · Jun 2, 2007

timeless2 · Jun 2, 2007

If this video is still up, it might give a good idea of the effort involved. PM Christie if you have questions.

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=628019

BCB00GT · Jun 2, 2007

This is probably one of the best step by step write-ups I have seen. Especially if you have a 99-00GT and need to replace cam gear, regardless if you are changing springs.

http://www.*.com/?show=articlesdet&aid=39

* = m o d u l a r d e p o t

BCB00GT · Jun 2, 2007

This is a very basic summary (thanks silverbullet) for 99-00GT:
1. Set the motor to TDC (there is a notch on the crank pulley that lines up with a mark on the timing cover), take of the valve covers, take off the timing cover and mark your timing marks on both chains at the crank and at the timing gears.
2. Unbolt the tensioners and chain guides, remove the timing chains.
3. Unbolt the cam in the same center-out pattern you would use if you were tightening the caps; you want to loosen them only a little bit at a time, going in order. This is good insurance to make sure you dont stretch the cam caps. BEFORE removing any cam caps, mark them with a sharpie or something because they have to go back in the same location and orientation.
4. Once the cam caps are off, remove the cam and keep the followers in order, as well as the lash adjusters. When you put the lash adjusters back in you will have to bleed them to get the followers back on. to do this, you compress them in a vise to squeeze the oil out of them. This will make them springy instead of solid.
5. Bolt the cams into place (torqued in order), install the chains, guides, and tensioners, and then you install the compressed lash adjusters.
6. Slide the follower in behind the lobe, and snap it into place using a flat head screw driver.
7. Install cam gears, crank gear and set timing marks. Verify install.
8. Reassemble.

Some other good threads with info:
http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=701763

Another install option:
http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?t=566683&highlight=cam+install

BlackenedSVT · Jun 2, 2007

thanks guys

BCBOOGT that 1st post of yours, the link doesn't work

BCB00GT · Jun 2, 2007

SteedaGTJ22 said:
thanks guys

BCBOOGT that 1st post of yours, the link doesn't work

Replace the "*" with "m-o-d-u-l-a-r-d-e-p-o-t" without the "-"

BlackenedSVT · Jun 3, 2007

anyone have cam recommendations? i know the VT cams drop torgue to gain high end HP. how about comp cams?

hotmustang331 · Jun 3, 2007

Mine made 308RWTQ with the VT cams...not too bad IMO. And my car ALWAYS seemed down on torque from the get go, and never put down good #s. Once I got the cams that changed everthing around...DEFINATLY get them.

And yes valve springs WILL net you a bit more power due to better valve control. And now that im having valve float issues with mine (turbo back pressure causing weak springs to float) I wish we would have put valve springs in it when we had everything down.

BlackenedSVT · Jun 3, 2007

any valve spring recommendations to be paired with the VT Stage 1 cams i'll be ordering soon?

Is there really any differences in springs?

blown4_6 · Jun 4, 2007

The seat pressures are different on the springs. Im running comp cams (102300PT#) which is 236 / 240 @ .500 lift and also put in the comp springs while I was at it. If you do this yourself MAKE SURE YOU COMPRESS THE LIFTERS ALL THE WAY before reassembly, I didn't compress them fully and think I bent a valve on start up. Anderson motorsports also has a tool so you dont have to pull the timing cover off the front of the motor. Its well worth the $20, you will need someone there with you to hold the tool though. I used it the second time I took it apart and saved about 2 to 3 hours.

jivepepper · Jun 5, 2007

I just dropped my HP 292s cams in with the AFM Cam Retention tool. Took one lazy afternoon. I then drove 200 miles to the tuners.

BlackenedSVT · Jun 6, 2007

blown4_6 said:
The seat pressures are different on the springs. Im running comp cams (102300PT#) which is 236 / 240 @ .500 lift and also put in the comp springs while I was at it. If you do this yourself MAKE SURE YOU COMPRESS THE LIFTERS ALL THE WAY before reassembly, I didn't compress them fully and think I bent a valve on start up. Anderson motorsports also has a tool so you dont have to pull the timing cover off the front of the motor. Its well worth the $20, you will need someone there with you to hold the tool though. I used it the second time I took it apart and saved about 2 to 3 hours.

was it a pain putting the chains back on with that timing cover still on?

Dusstbuster · Jun 6, 2007

I bought the Anderson Motorsports tool when we did our swap, that thing was IMO the biggest pile of crap I've ever seen. C-Clamp and Vice Grips worked 10x better. You'd have to talk to someone who had to use different cam gears about the chains, I got to reuse my cam gears so we didn't have to mess with the chains. I have a link in my sig for the PI cam swap I did, it should be very similar to doing any other cam swap (except we didn't degree them).

BCB00GT · Jun 6, 2007

Dusstbuster said:
You'd have to talk to someone who had to use different cam gears about the chains, I got to reuse my cam gears so we didn't have to mess with the chains.

I think the thread starter has a 2002 GT so no new cam gears are needed. Should be able to do what you did provided not changing springs.

Dusstbuster · Jun 6, 2007

BCB00GT said:
I think the thread starter has a 2002 GT so no new cam gears are needed. Should be able to do what you did provided not changing springs.

I wasn't sure if VT or Comp cams required new sprockets or not.

donsbad68 · Jun 6, 2007

$1500? I'd get a new installer

BlackenedSVT · Jun 6, 2007

donsbad68 said:
$1500? I'd get a new installer

thats not that far off of a standar going price from what i hear, and as i've stated in the 1st thread, i'll be doing this myself...

blown4_6 · Jun 8, 2007

Its not hard to put the chains on at all with help from someone. Just put the gear on the chain then slide it on the cam.

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