online line at summit they have cam grinds comp cams xtreme energy. intake 0.475 exhaust lift 0.450 i think this is for like blower or nitrous set ups wondering if anyone has done performance cams or had a custom grind installed in a 4.6 4 valve is it worth it i remembered when i would install a cam in 350 chevy or 302 ford the car would rip i know they are like over $1000 but compared to rear gears would this be even more helpful
cams
- Thread starter papa bear
- Start date
formerknown
Dedicated LVC Member
Custom cams are a waste for N/A Modular setups. You will destroy all low-end torque. The only Modulars that would benefit would be blown setups. Not to mention that $1,400 for cams is beyond ridiculous.
Save your money and throw in a set of 4.30 rear gears, a chip, and headers.
Save your money and throw in a set of 4.30 rear gears, a chip, and headers.
Phantom&RedGoat2004
LVC Member
Comp grind #XE270AH-114 & XE270BH-114 are both listed as "street/strip" cams with a powerband between 1800-6200rpm. I'd have to agree that you'd lose a certain amount of low end torque, but the 4.6 is a high winder, and the hp gains with cams are going to be at the top end. The way I've always heard it, rear gears are the most notable change you can make to your car when using the "SOP dyno." A cam swap would be much happier with a torque converter and gears anyway, so you might consider doing the gears first (they're also cheaper to buy), and then go for the cams.
Drawing from my knowledge on the mustangs DOHC and mustang/truck SOHC... Gains are there, but usually cam swaps alone don't give you the kind of results you'd expect when compairing to a conventional push-rod V8. Plus, in order to really get the benifits from the aftermarket cams, it's almost essential to get adjustable cam gears. Some cobra guys have found their cams off by as much as 5-6 degrees with as much as 10 degrees variance between left and right cams. So look at throwing another what, $400 on there for timing adjustable gears.
I'm not sure what head you're running, but patriot performance has CNC'ed 99-01 cobra DOHC heads which produce some pretty solid flow numbers (and sell for about $1600 w/exchange). If you're actually considering doing cams, might just fill the piggy bank a bit more and do heads and cams. Although the two will show their most value in a forced induction set-up, you would see some pretty decent gains NA because the two are mutually benifical parts and would work to compound their gains.
But, low-end torque loss is a possibility... however, as stated above... that can be negated through gears and a converter swap. I've learned to look at vehicle performance as a package (or system), not as individual parts. The gears you think are ideal today, after swapping heads, cams and converter tomorrow might not be quite steep enough.
I think in the long run, it's about what you want the end-state of the vehicle to be. Just my two cents
mecaple1
LVC Member
i bought those cams on ebay for $900. conbined with S3 intercooled sc 1st dyno was 430rwhp with 6lbs boost.i,m gonna stay under 450 rwhp on final tune on stock engine. i,m sure it would tune to 500+,doubt it would last long.love the idle.goes back on the dyno 11/16,i'll let you all know where i end up.
Rich88LSC
Dedicated LVC Member
I would spend the money on other things first. Then if/when your ready for cams talk to a shop or engine builder familiar with 4Vs and discuss your combo and your goals with the car to decided on cam specs. Custom grinds are not much more then off the shelf cam sets for these cars. It's not just vavle lift you should think about, it's also duration and cam timing(ground advanced or retarded). One of the good things about the 4Vs is intake and exhaust cam timing can be adjusted seperately.
And summit racing is expensive when it comes to 4V cams. Last I checked they sell the cams individually and it was cheaper to order custom grinds directly from Comp then to buy a set from summit. They do have a good price on valve springs though.
While I agree gears and a tune(and a stall) should be done first and yes you will lose some low end but cams are far from a waste for NA 4Vs. They are $$$ and you have to add another few hundred for valve springs and have the car tuned. Cams should be one of the last things on the list of NA mods to be considered.
Adjustable timing gears are not needed most of the time. The keyway on the factory gears can be ground a little if need be for them to be adjusted enough for almost every case. If you are paying $1000 plus for cams you can have them custom ground advanced or retarded as needed for ther application and then have them degreed as the stock cams would be.
And summit racing is expensive when it comes to 4V cams. Last I checked they sell the cams individually and it was cheaper to order custom grinds directly from Comp then to buy a set from summit. They do have a good price on valve springs though.
While I agree gears and a tune(and a stall) should be done first and yes you will lose some low end but cams are far from a waste for NA 4Vs. They are $$$ and you have to add another few hundred for valve springs and have the car tuned. Cams should be one of the last things on the list of NA mods to be considered.
Adjustable timing gears are not needed most of the time. The keyway on the factory gears can be ground a little if need be for them to be adjusted enough for almost every case. If you are paying $1000 plus for cams you can have them custom ground advanced or retarded as needed for ther application and then have them degreed as the stock cams would be.