Installing cams in Cobra
- Thread starter johncr250
- Start date
I have looked at this. cams sound priceless and i want to do even more than go twin screw b/c it makes 281 engine sound bigger. nothing like a cammed car imo. ive heard of some guys going FGT cams too cheaper than stage 3, dont know if idle is as nasty tho
$4k for the total job yank the motor tune etc for only maybe 30 - 40 hp makes it hard to do. and something about pulling a perfectly good engine doesnt make much sense to me
someday for me. cams FTW
$4k for the total job yank the motor tune etc for only maybe 30 - 40 hp makes it hard to do. and something about pulling a perfectly good engine doesnt make much sense to me
someday for me. cams FTW
Ok. If it is a text book response, as you were saying, don't you think the people saying it might know something about it?
I have cams. I installed them myself. I paid $1500+ in parts alone. The ONLY reason I instaled cams in my car was because I replaced the heads to the latest castings. I just didn't want to leave anything on the table, and the labor was free(me) Tuning cams is not easy, I also did that myself. You would be surprized how many tuners cannot tune for cams correctly, I have delt with them too.
The cams have their place in importance, but the stock grinds are not that bad, and there is money better spent elsewhere FIRST.
Again, the secret is in the timing. You don't need the big grinds either.
I have cams. I installed them myself. I paid $1500+ in parts alone. The ONLY reason I instaled cams in my car was because I replaced the heads to the latest castings. I just didn't want to leave anything on the table, and the labor was free(me) Tuning cams is not easy, I also did that myself. You would be surprized how many tuners cannot tune for cams correctly, I have delt with them too.
The cams have their place in importance, but the stock grinds are not that bad, and there is money better spent elsewhere FIRST.
Again, the secret is in the timing. You don't need the big grinds either.
No, I didn't degree mine. I was too chicken. Back when I did mine, the only way to adjust cam timing was to file the key ways on the cam sprockets. Many have done it with success, but with 9k miles and brand new heads, I didn't want to take the chance. I know I left power on the table, but I was ok with it.
Now there are some nice adjustable units made by L&M I believe?
Like I said, there is money better spent elsewhere first. Go with the cheap cost, big power gains first, before spending that kind of cash for "small" gains. We have the ability to go with a T/S blower and make MAJOR gains in the HP department. The cams can be done in the car, but the hydro-boost has to be removed and ect. It is easier to remove the engine and do it that way. You are going to need various special toos, to set the cams and the replace the valve springs.
With those big lift cams you are going to have to noch the cam ladders as well.
Now there are some nice adjustable units made by L&M I believe?
Like I said, there is money better spent elsewhere first. Go with the cheap cost, big power gains first, before spending that kind of cash for "small" gains. We have the ability to go with a T/S blower and make MAJOR gains in the HP department. The cams can be done in the car, but the hydro-boost has to be removed and ect. It is easier to remove the engine and do it that way. You are going to need various special toos, to set the cams and the replace the valve springs.
With those big lift cams you are going to have to noch the cam ladders as well.
Ford sells a nice package in their performance cat. for the 4v motors.
Ford Racing M-6550-T46 cam kits, FR500
Intake: 258 deg adv, 214 @.050". @ .003 w/ .472 lift
Exhaust: 254 deg adv, 208 @ .050" @ .003 w/ .472 lift
Centerline: 109 (intake and exhaust)
Comes with everything needed to install. Not sure if that duration is too big though for the street.
Ford Racing M-6550-T46 cam kits, FR500
Intake: 258 deg adv, 214 @.050". @ .003 w/ .472 lift
Exhaust: 254 deg adv, 208 @ .050" @ .003 w/ .472 lift
Centerline: 109 (intake and exhaust)
Comes with everything needed to install. Not sure if that duration is too big though for the street.
Let me shed some light here. GT40 cams are the best bang for the buck you will gain anywhere from 25-30rwhp just off these cams and you can't beat the price. Piston size also determines what cam size you are able to run and how big. Our machine shop we use does his own custom pistons and custom cams built off a cnc file, he has seen gains from 60rwhp to 75rwhp when combined with ported heads and custom pistons/custom cams. Therfore imo if you are looking for max power, there is plenty of HP to be found in cams when they are spec'd right with your combo. Install the engine should come out, setting them up the right way takes about 4-5 hours and you need a brain for the math and be able to notch then weld the cam gears so down the road they do not walk. On the tune side the car needs to be tuned for cams and the idle and driveabilty worked on or you will not be happy when running a larger cam. 