Heads & Cams for Mod Motors

How hard is it to setup new heads and cams for a 4.6L SOHC mod motor? I need some help choosing a good cam and cylinder head package. I am looking for a cam grind to give better performance on the track but is streetable. Anyone try the XE262AH from comp cams? If I kept the stock heads would just swapping out the sticks give me the gains I want. Right now I am running high 13's in the 1/4 and I would like to get in the low 13's or 12's if possible. With the stock sticks the torque curve drops rapidly between 4500-6000 RPM. I am hoping that a better cam grind will keep the power strong all the way down the strip. I would like to keep the cost around $1000 thus heads are probably not an option. Let me know what you think. Once the new sticks are in I'll let you know what I run.

heads and cams for mod motors are very, very expensive. just those parts alone will prolly cost you around 2 grand. also, keep in mind that there are lots of guys making sick power and running low ETs running stock heads and cams. most guys opt for roller followers, the best of which net gains of 40-50 horse. muscle mustangs and fast fords did an article on this some time ago, you should look it up on their website.

There are defenitely some gains to be had from changing ya cams. $1000 will pretty much be all used up for the cams and all the other lil things your gonna need.

One warning is the Comp Cams or at least the one's I did from them a year ago(1 of the first 20 sets) use the Cobra Cam gear which you have to buy from Ford and not the stock GT style even though these were cams for a GT. Maybe they have changed that or not but I'd asked just so you know about the added cost.


Also I would look to see what SHM reccomends for cams they got their shit down for Mod motors.

GTStang -- thanks for the heads up on the comp cam gears. I'll definately check on that. Mustangs & FF Sept 04 starting on page 180 has dyno results of various comp cams tested. The XE262AH looks like the best cam for my ride. SHM has this cam listed at $599 and directly on comp cams it's listed higer at $715.

They recommend changing out the springs along with the cam. Is there a tech instruction manual somewhere on line that I can view before ordering it? I have done lots of cam swaps on older vehicles where you line up the dots and adjust the valves etc, but I am not familiar with swapping out SOHC's. I just want to see how technical it gets before getting over my head. You mentioned a lot of people use roller cam followers. Where can I find these?

My Plan:
1. Keep the stock heads
2. Swap out the cam sticks to XE262AH (comp cams)
3. Swap out the valve springs (can this be done with the head on the engine?)
4. Keep stock headers maybe? The rest of my exhaust is high flow. Headers are just a pain to replace I may have this done in a shop.
5. Intake Manifold or Elbow improvements??? I honed out the stock plenum myself to improve the flow and port matched it to my 75mm TB. Any spacers or other mods suggested?
6. Will the stock MAF and injectors be okay?
5. Custom tune my Diablo Sport for the new mods.

honing out the stock plenum and throttlebody is as good as buying a new set so i have been told.

a new manifold would be a great idea, but i have heard that comp cams are just alright. i would try a diff comp.

for the money you are spending on cams and springs and such, i would just blow it for just a few more!

good luck.

for the money you are spending on cams and springs and such, i would just blow it for just a few more!

good luck.

agreed!

Okay I am game for that. What cam brands and grind do you think are better than Comp Cams XE262AH?

You can pick up a set of patriot performance stage 2 heads and cams for 1700 dollars without a core exchange, assembled. I picked up a set of their stage 3 heads + cams for 1900 dollars brand spanking new. Patriot sells the cams for 500 bucks seperately, and you can add the cams onto any set of heads for 400 bucks. You could do their cams and new springs for a fair bit less than 1000 dollars, and you are going to see some big time gains from them.

You can pick up a set of patriot performance stage 2 heads and cams for 1700 dollars without a core exchange, assembled. I picked up a set of their stage 3 heads + cams for 1900 dollars brand spanking new. Patriot sells the cams for 500 bucks seperately, and you can add the cams onto any set of heads for 400 bucks. You could do their cams and new springs for a fair bit less than 1000 dollars, and you are going to see some big time gains from them.

or you could spend about 2-2.5 grand and supercharge the car, and gain a huge amount of power

the reason I chose to go natural aspiration is because supercharging was too expensive. The pricing I did on them was 4500-5500. Where can I get a supercharger for $2500 bucks? Does that include an intercooler?

the reason I chose to go natural aspiration is because supercharging was too expensive. The pricing I did on them was 4500-5500. Where can I get a supercharger for $2500 bucks? Does that include an intercooler?

look on summit's website, they've goot some good deals. i think a 10 psi kit goes for less than 3 grand. and keep in mind that you don't NEED an intercooler, but it helps with detonation a bit. then again, timing can solve that problem adequately for those on a budget.

The patriot heads look like a great deal, they are even cnc ported. I am going to give them a call and talk with a tech for further advice. If I can get some good gains just by swapping out the cams that's what I'll do if not maybe I'll get the heads as well. Do you know where I can find directions on how to do the cam swap and how many hours does it take for a capable first timer?

http://www.modulardepot.com/?show=articlesdet&aid=39 somebody posted this a couple posts ago

the reason I chose to go natural aspiration is because supercharging was too expensive. The pricing I did on them was 4500-5500. Where can I get a supercharger for $2500 bucks? Does that include an intercooler?

You can get a VorTech Sc for 3,000$ or W/ a Aftercooler for 3,600 approx.....
Shop around and you will find lower prices.....these are brothers performance prices. My shop guy got mine for my 98 for 2,700...wholesale and didn't up me for a profit....I got lucky....

Powerdyne are cheaper but don't come with everything you really need as I have heard.
Paxton makes one too...
As does ATI......
I think VorTec Superchargers and ATI prochargers are the best buy for your money......
TK