Which cams should I go with?

FoxRod87 · Jan 6, 2008

I have a 96 GT and I am going to do a PI head swap. I am going to have the heads checked and cleaned up and maybe ported some. I am wanting to know which comp cams would be best for it and I am thinking of going with some FRPP shorty headers and already have an o/r xpipe and will go with 3.55s. It is also a 5 speed car. I am going to stay N/A. I drive the car everyday. Thanks for the help!

CobraRed_96_GT · Jan 6, 2008

comp cam only? Unless your going fully ported heads and 4.10's than i'd stay with xe262ah's

Winters98GT · Jan 7, 2008

keep the stock headers, I gained nadda with FRPP headers on my ported headswap car. Dont even bother with them, even if you get them for 100 used, you wont gain anything.

I agree with the cams, I'd go with a stage 1 cam or the 262's

FoxRod87 · Jan 7, 2008

So the 262s are a good N/A cam. Is there anything else I need to do during the PI swap any updates. And what kind of power am I looking at with fully ported heads and 278 cams with stock ex manifolds vs with longtubes and then 262 cams mildly ported heads and stock ex manifolds. Would I be able to hit 300rwhp in any way.

xmikevankuikenx · Jan 7, 2008

The stock and/or shorty headers will be your restriction especially with ported heads/cams. Longtubes will definately get you to your goal.

CobraRed_96_GT · Jan 7, 2008

yeah, with 270's/278's you need new springs and some accurate degreeing and a new tune for sure. Spend that money on some LT's instead. If you have your heads off - it's not bad at all.

FoxRod87 · Jan 8, 2008

So putting longtubes in with the heads off and then bolting them on is pretty easy. So I don't have to drop the k-member? And I was going to put new valvesprings on any way. So what setup should I do?

Winters98GT · Jan 8, 2008

nope, with the heads off the car, you should keep the stock k member. As CRred stated originally, I would go with the 262's. A lot of us have done cams, in the past, and bigger is not better. look into a stage 1 cam or 262's. With a good port job, LT's and a tune, your in the 285-305range, and the powerband will be lower than with more aggresive cam, allowing you to make more power on the street.

FoxRod87 · Jan 8, 2008

Then I'll get the 262's and some longtubes and go that way. Which longtubes should I get and I am going to need valve covers. I have 99 PI heads. Is there anyone who makes aftermarket valve covers besides bbk.

Winters98GT · Jan 8, 2008

FoxRod87 said:
Then I'll get the 262's and some longtubes and go that way. Which longtubes should I get and I am going to need valve covers. I have 99 PI heads. Is there anyone who makes aftermarket valve covers besides bbk.

that I dont know, others will chime in. Ive done two headswaps on my car, but none with aftermarket valvecovers!

I think you have mad a smart choice on the cams. I would suggest looking at the cushman motorsports thread, as the guy is the old vt cam guy. PM me or CobraRed as too why this is a smart NA street/strip cam. I've done a set on na cams in the past....... CobraRed hasnt, but is in progress of doing one now..... He has done his homework extensively.... even more than many of us that personal have experience with 2v cams! and he might be able to point you in the right direction or can recommend you to a site/person that can! Im sure hem and others will chime in and let you know what to go with
Mark

good luck, and keep us updated!

CobraRed_96_GT · Jan 8, 2008

Winters98GT said:
that I dont know, others will chime in. Ive done two headswaps on my car, but none with aftermarket valvecovers!

I think you have mad a smart choice on the cams. I would suggest looking at the cushman motorsports thread, as the guy is the old vt cam guy. PM me or CobraRed as too why this is a smart NA street/strip cam. I've done a set on na cams in the past....... CobraRed hasnt, but is in progress of doing one now..... He has done his homework extensively.... even more than many of us that personal have experience with 2v cams! and he might be able to point you in the right direction or can recommend you to a site/person that can! Im sure hem and others will chime in and let you know what to go with
Mark

good luck, and keep us updated!

right on Yeah, i've had cams on the brain for about 3-4 months.
As for valve covers, these are the only others one besides BBK that i know of for windsor's: http://www.cushmanmotorsports.com/i..._id=54&zenid=ab2af6e013344a5eaa586b184ca56e82
Let me also say that anyone who may come into this thread arguing for stage 2 n/a cams may have just as valid an arugment. There are a good handful of stangs on here w/out ported heads that are in the 275-290 range with VT stage 2 or xe270ah's. But, it is my opinion that unless you visit the track often and have decently ported heads (mine flow about 174cfm and im not considering stage 2's) you wont feel the gains over a stage 1 cam. xe262ah's and VT stage 1's show peak vs peak gains i've seen from 12-22rwhp but at 6-6.1krpms vs stock is around 30-45/50rwhp depending on your head flow and valve springs. The trade off would be the loss of tq usually around 2800-3800rpms of about 4-12 or so depending on the grind.
Opting for a stage II cam might see about 5-10rwhp more at the stage 1's peak, and 10-15 at around 6200-6400 compared to the stage 1. While losing (i need to see more graphs on this) about 10-22rwtq down low. This is where you should make your decision. Do you want to rev high, and stay there to feel your main powerband? For me im programming my tranny to shift at proly 6050-6150 so my choice is clear since i have some millage on my car.
Also important to note saying Stage this and Stage that is very inaccurate but necessary for argumentative purposes. Crane and crower both have stage 4 cams that are similar to VT stage 3 cams - so thier stage 2 equivalent might show better results for like a stage 1.5 area.

CobraRed_96_GT · Jan 8, 2008

Also main difference between a comp cam and a VT (CMS) cam is the LSA, VT's have a tighter lobe separation angle at 110 (stage 1) and 108 (stage 2) while comp cams starts off at 113. This is a debate for some who are weary of tight LSA's, but i prefer it - and it hasn't shown to be any problem yet. While i have seen more problems with a comp cam's duration on 270+ cams. Just make sure you degree your cams

FoxRod87 · Jan 9, 2008

The highest I'll be reving the engine is about 5700 or 5800 and it will be my DD. So I think the 262's will be perfect. With the 262's will I have to degree them or not? Thanks for the help guys!

Winters98GT · Jan 9, 2008

you wont see even the peak HP of your car only reving it that high. I would rev it slightly over 6k, just make sure you have good valve springs, and keep the car oiled well.

FoxRod87 · Jan 9, 2008

What about degreeing the cams? If I need to how do I do that? Do I need to buy adjustable cam gears(I need to get some cam gears anyway)? What kind are the best? Sorry about all the questions.

CobraRed_96_GT · Jan 9, 2008

FoxRod87 said:
What about degreeing the cams? If I need to how do I do that? Do I need to buy adjustable cam gears(I need to get some cam gears anyway)? What kind are the best? Sorry about all the questions.

you dont need adjustable cam gears, it's a process - not a part. But for 262ah's you're not required to degree them since the duration timing is on the safe side - but i say why not when it comes to that.
As for revving only to 5700-5800, iv seen graphs where the xe262's plain off at 5800 or a lil before and dont gain much more after that - but it's usually with unported heads and no after market springs. Honestly at 5700 the gains of a cam might only be 5-10 over a stock cam - so you might just be better off sticking with PI cams, would be a lot cheaper and they arn't bad. Then spending the money on LT's which will gain you a good amount of power at 5700

Jim@CMS · Jan 9, 2008

Here's my take: Stg 1 if you want to keep stock springs. If you don't mind changing springs, then do the Stg 2. The Stg 2 will also allow you port the heads and not run out of cam. The Stg 2 have a more aggressive idle that the Stage 1. You also won't have any PTV issues with my cams if installed correctly...even with a PI swap and Stg 2's. Let me know if you have any questions.

scupking · Jan 9, 2008

I have been tossing the same Idea of getting some 262 or VT stage 1s but I come to realize that 20+ hp for $1500 (install+ dyno tune) isn't worth it. I will spend the $3,500 for a mongoose kit, push 10 psi and make 400+ rwhp (then I will be happy, I think). You could probably make around 280 rwhp with the stock PI cams and all bolt ons.

CobraRed_96_GT · Jan 9, 2008

10"Terror said:
Here's my take: Stg 1 if you want to keep stock springs. If you don't mind changing springs, then do the Stg 2. The Stg 2 will also allow you port the heads and not run out of cam. The Stg 2 have a more aggressive idle that the Stage 1. You also won't have any PTV issues with my cams if installed correctly...even with a PI swap and Stg 2's. Let me know if you have any questions.

yeah - i've always been weary of stage 2 cams and a PI swap cuz of my flat top pistons and the clearance decreased - but it's good to hear there isn't any problems there. I already have beehive springs on the head, but i just dont think my heads flow enough or i want to rev high enough to feel that difference. Although i can get used stage II's for about $150 less than buying new stage I's, i don't know if it's worth it

FoxRod87 · Jan 10, 2008

So if I don't go with cams should I still put new valvesprings on the heads?

Which cams should I go with?

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