What makes more power P&P Heads or Cams?

[NiteRydaGT]

Lets say you have a 96-98 and are doing a PI headswap. Would you see better RWHP numbers if you did a slight port and 3 angle job on the PI heads, or stock PI heads with VT Stage 1 cams (.050 lift 224/226 duration) or a similar cam?

 

[showstopper2]

that might be a tossup but I would guess cams since it seems they make at least 40hp over stock and more with ported heads and forced induction.

 

[lopey4.6]

I think it would be a toss up. If your thinking light P&P then cams probably.

 

[NiteRydaGT]

Reason I ask is because I'm looking at a local guys 98 GT with a PI swap and his mods and numbers and then I'm looking at my mods and numbers and I'm wondering why mine are so much lower.
His Mods:
99 cylinder headsheads(slight port and 3 angle valve job)
01 intake
PI cams
shortie headers, MAC prochamber(with MIL's), flowmater mufflers
steeda under driven pullies and timing adjuster
C&L mass-airflow sensor
K-N filtercharger filter
densecharger throttle-body tube
mac t-body
1/2' custom intake spacer
msd ignition wires
180 deg thermostat
96 fuel-rails with a kirban adj fuel pressure regulator
custom autologic tune
He made 259rwhp

My mods:
Flowmaster American Thunder catback
Magnaflow catted X-pipe
Accufab 75mm Throttle Body
C&L Upper Intake Plenum
Steeda Underdrive Pullies
K&N Fuel Injection Performance Kit II
PI Headswap
VT Engines Stage 1 N/A Cams
255 LPH Fuel Pump
Kirban Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator
Pro-M 87mm MAF
180 Degree Thermostat
Autologic Tune
I made 234 RWHP

Both cars have a stock auto tranny. Now my tune was unfinished because the motor wasn't getting fuel above 4000 RPM. Since that time I installed a 255 LPH fuel pump, adjustable fuel pressure regulator, pro-m 87 mm mass air meter, and a 180 degree thermostat. I shouldn't have any problems with fuel now and I have to go back and get re-tuned. I highly doubt I will see another 20 RWHP from a tune.
What could be causing the big difference in numbers? The only major difference in mods is the shorty headers and from what I understand they are pretty uneffective.

 

[raykrv6a]

Reason I ask is because I'm looking at a local guys 98 GT with a PI swap and his mods and numbers and then I'm looking at my mods and numbers and I'm wondering why mine are so much lower.
His Mods:
99 cylinder headsheads(slight port and 3 angle valve job)
01 intake
PI cams
shortie headers, MAC prochamber(with MIL's), flowmater mufflers
steeda under driven pullies and timing adjuster
C&L mass-airflow sensor
K-N filtercharger filter
densecharger throttle-body tube
mac t-body
1/2' custom intake spacer
msd ignition wires
180 deg thermostat
96 fuel-rails with a kirban adj fuel pressure regulator
custom autologic tune
He made 259rwhp

My mods:
Flowmaster American Thunder catback
Magnaflow catted X-pipe
Accufab 75mm Throttle Body
C&L Upper Intake Plenum
Steeda Underdrive Pullies
K&N Fuel Injection Performance Kit II
PI Headswap
VT Engines Stage 1 N/A Cams
255 LPH Fuel Pump
Kirban Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator
Pro-M 87mm MAF
180 Degree Thermostat
Autologic Tune
I made 234 RWHP

Both cars have a stock auto tranny. Now my tune was unfinished because the motor wasn't getting fuel above 4000 RPM. Since that time I installed a 255 LPH fuel pump, adjustable fuel pressure regulator, pro-m 87 mm mass air meter, and a 180 degree thermostat. I shouldn't have any problems with fuel now and I have to go back and get re-tuned. I highly doubt I will see another 20 RWHP from a tune.
What could be causing the big difference in numbers? The only major difference in mods is the shorty headers and from what I understand they are pretty uneffective.

I've gotten 7 rwhp out of minor fuel and timing changes. If your tune if off, it could be 20 rwhp. I haven't heard anything good about Pro-m MAF's. Anyways, I would get a real good dyno tune and see if the MAF is doing you any good. I got real good results using JLT's RAI also. Maybe see if there is a SCT tuner in your area.