I have a 1996 Cobra with the modular engine. I want to add some horsepower to it. I was wondering what some cheaper ways of doing it are. Its already got exhaust (H-pipe, does an X-pipe make a difference?), rear end gears, and intake. I looked at supercharging it but its a little expensive for me right now. I have thought about putting new cams in but does that add a lot of HP? Would buying 4 new cams (DOHC) be just as much as the supercharger? What else do you need to do just to do a cam swap besides gaskets? Thank you I appreciate anything you have for me.
The cams are a bit of a PITA to install and set up correctly, and reground cams are even more difficult and time consuming, meaning more $$ if a shop does it. Cams aren't all that cheap either - $1300+ for the four of them.
I have a 96 cobra engine (sort of...) and the B heads (96-98 cobra) are crap. The flow better than the 2v, but that's about it. The tumbleport heads are MUCH better, the 03 cobra heads being the best.
If you go with the 03 cobra heads, you will need a new intake - an 01 mach 1 intake, or the 03-04 cobra intake and s/c assembly.
Probably best bang for your buck will be nitrous oxide. I know what I know about NO2, and I know I don't know crap, so I am sure someone else will chime in soon.
if you can do the work yourself then yes i would say do that first.
and if you do a cam job get the heads ported.
and actually you can get a 1.8 KB for about the same cost of all that work.
cobraboy...man, that avatar...
I was going to do cams and porting on the B heads, but it seemed like such a waste. If you get them ported, you might as well get a valve job, so new valves and guides, and cams, and port job and you're marginally better than a stock 03? Get the 03 heads and run them stock and you will have a higher platform to work from. Get the cams and the valves for THEM, then you'll have gobs of power...
I was going to do cams and porting on the B heads, but it seemed like such a waste. If you get them ported, you might as well get a valve job, so new valves and guides, and cams, and port job and you're marginally better than a stock 03? Get the 03 heads and run them stock and you will have a higher platform to work from. Get the cams and the valves for THEM, then you'll have gobs of power...
Best setup N/A for a 4V is the 03/04 cobra heads and the FR500 camshafts and valvetrain.
I was going to do cams and porting on the B heads, but it seemed like such a waste. If you get them ported, you might as well get a valve job, so new valves and guides, and cams, and port job and you're marginally better than a stock 03? Get the 03 heads and run them stock and you will have a higher platform to work from. Get the cams and the valves for THEM, then you'll have gobs of power...
So will the 03 cams just bolt on? I tried finding some on Ebay but thats just not happening haha, people must like them. What is that 1.8KB the guy posted above? I can work on cars in my driveway but I don't know the names of stuff I guess lol. Are these engines in these pretty strong? The NOS people are talking about, I hear its pretty hard on the engines? On my #4 cylinder when I change my plugs I have a little oil like maybe a burnt ring. Maybe I should just pull my engine and put new rings and possibly pistons? Is boring out the block pretty expensive but worth the money? Thank you for answering all these questions, I appreciate it.
So will the 03 cams just bolt on? I tried finding some on Ebay but thats just not happening haha, people must like them. What is that 1.8KB the guy posted above? I can work on cars in my driveway but I don't know the names of stuff I guess lol. Are these engines in these pretty strong? The NOS people are talking about, I hear its pretty hard on the engines? On my #4 cylinder when I change my plugs I have a little oil like maybe a burnt ring. Maybe I should just pull my engine and put new rings and possibly pistons? Is boring out the block pretty expensive but worth the money? Thank you for answering all these questions, I appreciate it.
Before you rip out the engine, do a cylinder leakage test to get a good idea of the health of your motor. The oil on the plug can be caused by PCV pullover, which can be a simple fix.
As for the cams, do NOT buy the 03/04 cams. They are worse than your stock cams. They have 10 degrees of duration less than your stockers. You just want the heads off those cars.
Before you rip out the engine, do a cylinder leakage test to get a good idea of the health of your motor. The oil on the plug can be caused by PCV pullover, which can be a simple fix.
As for the cams, do NOT buy the 03/04 cams. They are worse than your stock cams. They have 10 degrees of duration less than your stockers. You just want the heads off those cars.
could you tell me how to do this test, and also how to fix it if it is? Thank you And do those heads just bolt right up, no other mods?
could you tell me how to do this test, and also how to fix it if it is? Thank you And do those heads just bolt right up, no other mods?
You'll need an air compressor to supply a 100 psi, as well as a cylinder leakage gauge. Most shops charge ~$50 to have this done.
To test, you'll need to rotate each cylinder to TDC (Top dead center) and measure the leakage. If you have significant leakage (greater than 10%) you can test the location of the problem. By adding a drop of oil to the cylinder, and restesting, it can show if it's worn rings If you feel it's in the cylinder heads (ie. valves and valve seats) you can pop the cam follower off the exhaust and intake valves and test again.
With the 03/04 heads, you'll need a tumbleport intake from a 99/01 cobra, 03/04 mach 1, or Marauder.
You'll need an air compressor to supply a 100 psi, as well as a cylinder leakage gauge. Most shops charge ~$50 to have this done.
To test, you'll need to rotate each cylinder to TDC (Top dead center) and measure the leakage. If you have significant leakage (greater than 10%) you can test the location of the problem. By adding a drop of oil to the cylinder, and restesting, it can show if it's worn rings If you feel it's in the cylinder heads (ie. valves and valve seats) you can pop the cam follower off the exhaust and intake valves and test again.
With the 03/04 heads, you'll need a tumbleport intake from a 99/01 cobra, 03/04 mach 1, or Marauder.
Thank you for all your help, one more question? I keep seeing like PI or Non-PI and PI swap....what is that? Thanks in advance
1996 Mustang Cobra Cam Swap? 
