I see this talked about a lot as a good preliminary to adding significant power to the 3.8, but what exactly does changing the cam do? How does it affect horsepower, and does it affect tq at all? Does it affect fuel efficiency? Any answers or even fingers pointed in the direction of answers are appreciated.
I see this talked about a lot as a good preliminary to adding significant power to the 3.8, but what exactly does changing the cam do? How does it affect horsepower, and does it affect tq at all? Does it affect fuel efficiency? Any answers or even fingers pointed in the direction of answers are appreciated.
It affects them all. each parameter affects the other. A cam changes the nature of the powerband, but changing the times tha valves open and close.
you can move the power band for hp or torque production. You can get better or worse mpgs depending on where you move the powerband, and whether or not it matches your gearing.
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Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,his upper rooms by injustice,making his countrymen work for nothing...Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar?Did not your father have food and drink?He did what was right and just,so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy,and so all went well...But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain,on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. Jer 22:13, 15-17
Scanning the related threads about cams... Apparently changing out the heads is a much encouraged first-step before switching the cam. The thread is about the 5.0L, does this idea apply to the 3.8 as well? Any heads that are especially recommended (i.e. bang for the buck) or is pretty much price=performance?
Scanning the related threads about cams... Apparently changing out the heads is a much encouraged first-step before switching the cam. The thread is about the 5.0L, does this idea apply to the 3.8 as well? Any heads that are especially recommended (i.e. bang for the buck) or is pretty much price=performance?
Depends on the cam. if it's a mild cam, you don't have to rebuild the heads. If it's a street performance cam or better, you definitely should rebuild the heads.
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Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,his upper rooms by injustice,making his countrymen work for nothing...Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar?Did not your father have food and drink?He did what was right and just,so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy,and so all went well...But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain,on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. Jer 22:13, 15-17
no prob, re: heads, check with the cam builder to see whether or not you'll need to reprogram the computer/rebuild the heads.
__________________
Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,his upper rooms by injustice,making his countrymen work for nothing...Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar?Did not your father have food and drink?He did what was right and just,so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy,and so all went well...But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain,on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. Jer 22:13, 15-17
Also if you change the cam you will have to change out the springs .
Changing out the cam with out getting the heads and intakes ported
leaves a lot of potential HP on the table , the best way to do it is H/C/I
to maximize your set up.
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660.0 RWHP 583.0 Ft. lb's trq. @17.4 PSI
11.584@124.58mph( Old set up)
2002 V6 3.8 liter.
T-5 G-Force Dog Ring
Custom T-80 Turbo built by Delk Performance
Also if you change the cam you will have to change out the springs .
Changing out the cam with out getting the heads and intakes ported
leaves a lot of potential HP on the table , the best way to do it is H/C/I
to maximize your set up.
yeah, but if he's just getting a tow cam . . . (but that would be a lot of money for not much power).
__________________
Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,his upper rooms by injustice,making his countrymen work for nothing...Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar?Did not your father have food and drink?He did what was right and just,so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy,and so all went well...But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain,on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. Jer 22:13, 15-17
yeah, but if he's just getting a tow cam . . . (but that would be a lot of money for not much power).
Not to mention if he got his heads and intaked ported later his cam would no longer be right for his set up unless he thinks ahead and gets a bigger cam to start with .
__________________
660.0 RWHP 583.0 Ft. lb's trq. @17.4 PSI
11.584@124.58mph( Old set up)
2002 V6 3.8 liter.
T-5 G-Force Dog Ring
Custom T-80 Turbo built by Delk Performance
Not to mention if he got his heads and intaked ported later his cam would no longer be right for his set up unless he thinks ahead and gets a bigger cam to start with .
Yep, I totally agree. Get the heads done first then match the cam to them and gears, stall converter (if auto) and so on. It all has to work together to get the most power.
Not to mention if he got his heads and intaked ported later his cam would no longer be right for his set up unless he thinks ahead and gets a bigger cam to start with .
He'd make more power with the cam he has now with a port & polish, than swapping the cam on the stock combo, no doubt about it!
__________________
Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,his upper rooms by injustice,making his countrymen work for nothing...Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar?Did not your father have food and drink?He did what was right and just,so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy,and so all went well...But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain,on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. Jer 22:13, 15-17
About how much of a HP increase would you get and how much on average does a port and polish job run nowadays? I have been thinking about getting a port and polish done for the past month now...
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2001 Performance Red V6
CAI - UPR Blue/Green Indiglo Gauges - Black Reflective Vinyl Bumper Inserts - JVC KD-AR770 deck, Black OEM Side Stripes - 17" Black 2005 Stock Replica Wheels - Pony Spinners
About how much of a HP increase would you get and how much on average does a port and polish job run nowadays? I have been thinking about getting a port and polish done for the past month now...
Depends on how many angles the it ported, and how good the person is who does it. Some can lose you hp . . .
Generally, you want a 5-angle job, if you can afford it.
I'll see if I can pick up some specs. I still haven't completely unpacked.
But GT-Eater shoudl be able to tell you since he just finished one up.
__________________
Woe to him who builds his palace by unrighteousness,his upper rooms by injustice,making his countrymen work for nothing...Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar?Did not your father have food and drink?He did what was right and just,so all went well with him. He defended the cause of the poor and needy,and so all went well...But your eyes and your heart are set only on dishonest gain,on shedding innocent blood and on oppression and extortion. Jer 22:13, 15-17
660.0 RWHP 583.0 Ft. lb's trq. @17.4 PSI
11.584@124.58mph( Old set up)
2002 V6 3.8 liter.
T-5 G-Force Dog Ring
Custom T-80 Turbo built by Delk Performance
2003 Mustang V6, Changing the cam? 
