Cams?

spazzyfry123 · 03-06-2005

I'm on the search for some cams for my 2002 GT 'Vert. I cannot find them anywhere?!

I'm really wanting them for the great sound at idle

If anyone has a link to some good cams for the GT, please post them up! Thanks in advance

SQ Stang · 03-06-2005

http://www.mustangtuning.com/enginecooling.html

Look at the very bottom and you will see some cams that have a very aggressive idle..of course you need a lot more to go along with it.

This link is from Compcams.com Always a place to start.
http://www.powerandperformancenews.c...y_Code=102-CAM

I have comp cams in mine...and it sounds VERY good at idle and it's not even really aggressive. I have the XE270AH, which is the 2nd one from the bottom. Another great site that tells you what the cams are for and what you need to go along with it.

meatball · 03-06-2005

Cam Vendors: Comp Cams, VT Engines, Sean Hyland Motorsport, Livernois Motorsport, more
Cams for your car will require upgrading the valve springs. Cams aggressive enough to sound like you think you want them to will kill some of the low end power. Since the concept is to allow more air into motor, achieving the full benefit will require the usual mods to move more air in/out of the motor like exhaust, throttle body, cold air intake, etc. The cams will make most of their additional power at higher rpms which may or may suit your driving style. Most 'big' cams will specify that you're running 3.73's or higher. The most common mistake people make buying cams is to 'overcam'.
We'd want to know more about current mods to your car; type of trans., etc. The real benefit would be to include the cam upgrade along w/P&P heads assuming you already have some of the other required mods.

kyle_c_21 · 03-06-2005

www.vtengines.com or www.boss330racing.com

spazzyfry123 · 03-07-2005

Thanks a lot. At the moment, the car is completely stock. (2002 GT 'Vert). The mod I am planning on getting soon has actually no "performance" to it. I was going to lower the car about an 1" or so. But that can wait now that I see I will need more to get the cams to work. My list of performance mods I am considering besides the cams:

Cat-Back exhaust (Loumouth or Steeda?)
CAI (No idea for brand?)
Bigger throttle body (Size? Brand?)
Throttle body spacer (Steeda I'm guessing)

Any more help will be greatly appreciated.

meatball · 03-07-2005

Probably want to describe to us the kind of driving you do over a couple of weeks in detail; believe the first mod we'd suggest is gears, then cat-back, then CAI but would also help to know what your goals are in the long run. Will you be drag-racing? (on a dragstrip); lots of long-distance trips?, etc. Probably also want to search both 4.6 Forums for 'mods' or 'upgrades', and for 'exhaust'. A lot of your current questions are asked frequently and you'll find lots of information. See that you have a convertible - definately want to research subframe connectors like Kenny Brown super subs or Steeda. Check this current thread: http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forum...ad.php?t=34855

spazzyfry123 · 03-07-2005

Funny you sent that link...I actually just got done reading that whole thread before I came to this one

And as for my driving style: Daily driver. I noticed in that other thread someone asked how they wanted their car to be set up (racing, drag racing, some power while looking cool, etc...). I want some nice power, but nothing too extreme since I know I cannot afford that (supercharger, yeah I want one, but that's a little out of my range).
Here, I'll give you a little background on me...

I'm 15 years old at the moment, turning 16 soon and I've got a job and all that good stuff. During the summers I have a full-time job, which one-week's pay will pay for my monthly insurance and still have some extra for gass that could last the rest of the month perhaps. So I have 3 more weeks of reasonable pay that I can save up to do what I like. People may see me as a "Daddy's Boy" and all that, but really my car actually costed about 1/2 of everyone else's around here and their daddy's are paying for their insurance and gas and anything else they want. My dad bought the car (many thanks to such a great family

) and I'm paying for everything else from the hellish insurance to the new exhaust I want.

Ok, now that I've got that crap out of the way so you can see what kind of situation/budget I have somewhat...what do you think I could accomplish to give me the "coolness factor" that many try and achieve (even more cooler than the car is already

) Just wanting a nice sounding car that if I need to, can get up and go I guess, nothing out of the norm.

Thanks once again for being patient with this, I do know a reasonable amount about cars and what to do, but when it comes to pricing and brands to go by, I'm lost.

meatball · 03-07-2005

Okay, that really helps. You sound mature for your age and it's good to see you're thinking this through in advance. Heck, even I was 15 once though that was when dinosaurs walked the earth, and, God Help Us, there were NO iPods even. Given what you said, I'll rearrange my suggestions: cat-back first but I won't suggest a brand as others will. If you don't know about this site already: www.mustangexhaust.com My catback is Dynomax. Don't remember price. People here generally like K&N FIPKs and Tuneable Inductions for CAIs. Someone else responded to another current thread that he knew a place selling ported stock intake plenums for not much money. Another 'cheap' upgrade would be an intake spacer, preferably phenolic (plastic) - probably an Ebay item. Post some pics when you can, and drive safely.
Remember, you want to get old enough to be able to have the car (cars?) of your dreams/sounds like you're headed in the right direction.

kyle_c_21 · 03-07-2005

x pipe and magnaflows for the exhaust and have a 4.10 gear installed. you should be good to go.

spazzyfry123 · 03-07-2005

Yes, not many people believe I am the age I am. I see that there is only this one life for me, so I'm going to put it out to its fullest so I do what I want and get what I want. I have just been around cars my whole life and many, many high performance ones. A few years back, my dad was in drag racing and I completely fell in love with the whole car-scene. I'm not ashamed to say it; I'm a complete car-freak. Well, wait, why should I be ashamed to say that on this forum...aren't we all?!:hearton: But anyways, back to subject...the only reason I do work: to get things for cars and anything that has to do with cars. That being anything from my high performance R/C cars that will literally blow away just about anything on the street (oh wow how I love those little things), to the Mustang in the garage right now, to racing video games... So seeing as how I will bring in around $300(?) a week for my pay and every bit of it will be going into my beloved 'Stang...Tell me what I can do with that! haha. I am willing to wait for things...They either have to be perfectly right or it's not going to happen. Seeing the little rice burner things out there with a primer for their new "high-downforce" body kits just makes me want to puke at the thought of it. I'm sorry, but if that is what you are wanting to put on your car, at least wait till you get the extra cash to get it painted and mounted right...
But as the title suggests...cams, I just completely love the sound of it at idle. Then that instant throttle response that echoes the roar of only 3,000 RPM for miles.

But unfortunately, there are laws in Georgia that I must follow

and this is sadly one of them (noise regulations). I am not afraid of having more power either, I know the limitations of cars and their drivetrain and all of that...I have a certain respect for cars that many do not. I must be seeming somewhat cocky in a sense, but I am just trying to give you an idea of my style in the most straight-forward way. I'm just trying to help YOU help ME. Now I feel as if I am just rambling on, so any more questions that could help ya'll out with helping me decide what I should be going after...please ask, I'll be here for a long time, I've got patience (to an extent of course).

And once again...Thanks in Advance. This site is of unmatchable support!

EDIT: I forgot...This is an Auto tranny

I wanted the stick, but it was just too far of a reach for my liking

Also, a little

, I know...but "meatball"...I just checked out your gallery and I must say that your setup is stunning.

I love the red intake, just amazing!:thumbsup

**tripleblack** · 03-07-2005

I've got the same car, so I can tell you notes from my own journey:

My car came with a good cai and subframe connectors , so I've not driven one without them. I suspect our convertibles need all the stiffening they can get, so this is a good first step. I've added a strut-tower brace (about $150) as well, and I'm convinced these things really work, ESPECIALLY on convertibles. I've since ridden in others not similarly braced, and mine is definitely tighter and less "groany" in tight turns at speed. All these pre-2005 convertibles should have come with braces from the factory, in my opinion.

The first performance mod I put on the car was an Accufab 75mm throttle body and C&L plenum combo. At the same time I bought the Diablo Predator flash tuner from Granatelli and flashed one of their performance tunes on the car (requires premium fuel now) and replaced the stock thermostat for 180 degree version.

My car had been wrecked (front bumper, hood and 1 fender - interesting story there), so I acquired it cheaply. I've installed a Cervini ram air hood and matching stalker bumper cover. Both fit perfectly. Car only had 3800 miles on it when I bought it.

I'd recommend the Bassani X-pipe (with cats if you have to use them where you live, which I do). You can install just the x-pipe and then evaluate the sound (it changes a good bit from the stock setup just with the x-pipe). You can then go with the after-cat rig if you feel you need more. You'll be adding horses as well as attitude, so its hard to go wrong so long as you like the sound. Most cold air systems will also add noise, as will a larger throttle body and intake plenum. Our convertibles are poorly insulated from noise, so keep this in mind if mechanical sound bothers you. I think most of it is music (other than the 5 speed's ancient clutch linkage, but that's another tale).

Cam selection is nearly an art form. I took my car to a local shop which specializes in restoring/enhancing Mustangs. We are using Crane cams similar to the Comp Cam 270 grind (with just a little extra, according to my garage owner, who is an independent type). Getting the heads cnc ported at the same time, with all new springs is also a good idea, if you have the money. I made the mistake of not doing this at the time (ignorance and knowledge both cost money, but only knowledge ends up being worth anything!), the idea being to wait and see what the aftermarket (and my idea of swapping 4v heads onto my engine) delivered up. Should have taken the time to send off the heads and get them ported (local cnc was out to lunch, so shipping both ways to get the job done would have been necessary, and may be necessary for you too, so ask). Swapping cams on the 4.6 is not a quick job, and doing it while the motor is in the car looks very tough to me. I was tearing the car's front end down to install the new parts, so pulling the motor out and doing the work outside the car worked out for me - but might cost extra for you. Get the work quoted both ways. If you go with aggressive cam and intake options, you may also need to upgrade fuel injectors as well (I did this, even though the stock injectors were still ok - this gives the motor room to grow, instead of operating close to its limits).

I'm an old-fashioned car guy, so I chose a methodical path to performance and customizing for my car. In retrospect, I might have been better served to spend the money on a Vortech blower instead of what I've done (the price would have been a bit higher, but not that much). I'd be looking at more like 400hp instead of 327hp now had I done so.

Of course, if I now add a blower to my existing modifications, along with some judicious porting, well, I might have a bit more than 400hp at the end of the day.

But that's going to raise the bar another $5500 or so.

And baby's got to have new shoes.

luck.

tripleblack

spazzyfry123 · 03-07-2005

Whoa whoa whoa...did I read that right or did I see that as mechanical "noise"? Nuh uh man, that is about as close as you can get to Jimmy Page playing Stairway to Heaven live

. I don't care what anyone says about this, I am in big favor for the mustang sound. In my opinion, I think these 4.6's are the best sounding systems out of any car out there from the factory. So block out the "noise" thing...I want the noises. I want the whine of the intake, I want the loud roar from my pipes to play its own "remix" of Stairway to Heaven

. As much as I want these cams for that amazing aggressive idle, I am not completely sure what else I am looking at to buy to get it to work without trashing my baby!

**tripleblack** · 03-07-2005

If I were doing it all today, I'd go for one of the Comp setups with their recommendation for new, stronger springs and any machining needed to get the seats ready. You can buy these at a thousand different places on line. Let us know if you can't find em.

Then what you'll need is a good shop to do the work (check the local Mustang clubs and see who those guys are using). Lots of clubs have arrangements for discounts at local mustang shops. Plan on them installing the cams, springs and porting the heads as one job. Get it quoted as such. Be prepared for $2000 - $3000 for the job, depending on who does the porting and whether they will do the work with the motor in the car or not.

Since you're into music (AC/DC's Highway to Hell is a great gt convt. song), maybe a trip to a local club meet would give you a chance to give a listen to several different mustangs and their different cam setups. Otherwise, follow common sense and keep away from the most extreme grinds, which are meant for serious racing rigs.

luck

tripleblack

**tripleblack** · 03-07-2005

Just noticed you're from Georgia. I can refer you to a good site in the Atlanta area,
atlantamustangclub.com - check out the site and notice that there are 2 recommended service providers. Call those dudes and discuss your requirements. There is also a third place in Atlanta that caters to the serious racer dudes, but they are way pricey. Good with big turbos and chargers, though...

I'll check back later to see how you're coming. Join one of the local clubs (Georgia has 4 in the Atlanta area alone, plus others in other towns. Cruizes all the time.

see you there

tripleblack

spazzyfry123 · 03-07-2005

Ok, so it seems Comp Cams should be the way to go. My dad's race car had Comp Cams, and since that was a race car and this is a daily driver...I was skeptical about it. But that seems to be the main recomendation, so that looks like the way I'll be heading! I'm guessing that with cams, I'll be in need of a new tune (new chip?). Also, what kind of performance gains can I expect from doing this? The only performance mods I have really seriously considered doing are (in no specific order):

Cams (and everything else that would be needed for this)
Bigger Throttle Body (75mm??)
"X" Style Pipes
Loudmouth Cat-Back
Throttle Body Spacer
CAI
Chip (?)
3.93's to get it all there quicker

Does this sound like a good idea? I am hoping for near 300 HP at the crank...? I have some good friends that are mechanics, so I can get things done relatively cheap. And for the cams, is there a specific setup that is made for the 4.6? A complete setup that has everything I would need? And once again, just in case you forgot

, what type of power increases am I to expect from the cams?

Thanks a tremendous amount for everyone's help. Once I save up a little more $, I'll start posting pictures of the project. If I can figure out my digital camera, I'll post up some pictures into my gallery or something of the car as it is now if you'd like soon.

EDIT: In response to the clubs...I'm in Buford, Georgia...Just a few minutes from the Mall of Georgia if you are familiar with that. I would really love to join up with that, but since I have no license (just this stupid learner's thing), I will have to wait to join in with that. But yeah, once I get my license and some free-time, I will without a doubt join in with a club and get into it.