99+ Cams in 96-98 Heads

[Blueoval]

This thread has been running on corral and I am looking for opinions from you guys! What do you think? I know that the '99+ cams have a little bit more lift. Has anyone on here tried this or thinking about trying this?

[BGR]

Yes, I have done the swap. you will notice the difference

[Blueoval]

BGR, did you dyno the car before and after? What HP numbers did you pick up?

[BGR]

no, but with the heads and cam swap, ran 13.3

[96gts]

Originally posted by BGR
no, but with the heads and cam swap, ran 13.3

So, you didn't actually run the 99+ cams in a set of 96-98 heads, right?

I don't know how much the gain could be, but I think this is worth looking into. Mainly for the budget oriented guys here, like me. :)

If the cams give only like 15rwhp, I think that would be very worth it, for the cost of $225 for the cams. I would think the powerband could also benefit some from the extra lift, but we won't know until someone has some before and after dynos or ever some before and after 1/4 mile times.

[BGR]

I dont recommend just doing a cam swap on most 96-98 cars I work on because you are already there at the heads. But I would think you can gain 15hp from the cam swap alone. Just check the piston to valve clearance, because the 96-98 have flat top pistons with no valve relief. Both cams are $225.00. I might have a set laying around if you are intersted. Thanx

[GarrettW]

Heh, Blueoval, if you've read the Corral you know my debacle with that mod!

[96gts]

Originally posted by BGR
I dont recommend just doing a cam swap on most 96-98 cars I work on because you are already there at the heads. But I would think you can gain 15hp from the cam swap alone. Just check the piston to valve clearance, because the 96-98 have flat top pistons with no valve relief. Both cams are $225.00. I might have a set laying around if you are intersted. Thanx

Piston to valve clearance should be fine. When doing a headswap, it decreases from 5.5mm to 1.5mm. So I don't think it should be a problem. The only problem I see is if there will be actually anything gained, and not just at peak HP. Hopefully the cams (any cams) would fatten up both curves slightly and give at least .1- .2 in the 1/4 mile. And that would be fine by me, that's all I'm looking for.

[BGR]

5.5 to 1.5, thats on the head swap, not cam swap

[96gts]

Originally posted by BGR
5.5 to 1.5, thats on the head swap, not cam swap

Right, but are the heads any different in thickness? I mean is one factory milled and the other one not? Unless Ford changed the chamber and made it smaller CC, compression is the same for 96-98s and the 99+. Now if you do as head-swap comp goes up to 10.5, with the different heads, why?? Again is the combustion chamber smaller CC or are the heads factorty milled??

Besides any of this doesn't matter it's been done already, so no worries. (on a 97 motor)

[BGR]

Compression goes up on the head swap cause of the flat top pistons in 96-98. I am not saying that it wont work, I am just saying there is little room for error in the cam timing becuse of the flat top pistons.

[96gts]

Right, and as long as you have the crank shaft rotated to where it needs to be, it should be nothing more than a long and drawn out, swap. I would think some cam timing wheels would be good to have, but if you follow the instructions closely from the Ford shop manual, it should be straightforward.