Things required for an aftermarket cam swap.

[zerodevil]

so my next mod is going to be a set of stage 3 CROWER cams with springs + retainers. i have read that in order to do aftermarket cams on these 4.6L's you need to get an aftermarket adjustable cam gear, do i need one for both sides? did i read wrong and the stockers will work fine?...im just kind of concerned that im about to spend 600 for cams + springs + titanium retainers...and id be bummed if i got the majority the work done just to find out im missing something.

 

[Limited02]

$600 is for one cam, you have two Plus stg3's would be OVERKILL for your lack of mods, you will need a higer stall because you will lose lowend trq. The only good thing about stg3's is that it will be a lumpy ****!!! Personally, you will be better off going with a lower stg2 if anything. But don't let me stop you, I want to hear them cams

 

[zerodevil]

actualy the set is like 580 for both cams...and an additional 250ish i get the springs + retainers...Im going with stage 3 because if im going to do cams, i may as well do it once, and do it right. RPM range from 1200-6000+, .54 lift, decent duration. I didnt consider the torque converter..will it still be drivable w/o it for awhile?.that may have to wait, because im waiting for my transmission to fail, so i can upgrade to the 6speed out of the Gen-4 explorers(WOOO!!!). at that point im probably going to get 4.10s done to both front and rear.


Im still on the war path for the 5.3L short block, stage 3 heads, and a KB supercharger, im hoping for a street tune of 450-500 hp(stable), and a pully swap tune for around 600-650 for track days...some one has to put those TBSS's Silverado SS's, SSR's, and SRT-8's -SRT-10s in their place right?

 

[shadowless127]

actualy the set is like 580 for both cams...and an additional 250ish i get the springs + retainers...Im going with stage 3 because if im going to do cams, i may as well do it once, and do it right. RPM range from 1200-6000+, .54 lift, decent duration. I didnt consider the torque converter..will it still be drivable w/o it for awhile?.that may have to wait, because im waiting for my transmission to fail, so i can upgrade to the 6speed out of the Gen-4 explorers(WOOO!!!). at that point im probably going to get 4.10s done to both front and rear.


Im still on the war path for the 5.3L short block, stage 3 heads, and a KB supercharger, im hoping for a street tune of 450-500 hp(stable), and a pully swap tune for around 600-650 for track days...some one has to put those TBSS's Silverado SS's, SSR's, and SRT-8's -SRT-10s in their place right?

Why would you go with the 6spd instead of the tougher 4spd 4r70w w/ J-Mod or Shift Kit, or even just a built 5r55w w/ shift kit?

 

[zerodevil]

because the 6speed has shorter(I THINK) gears inside and is intended for a 3.55 gear set, coupled to my 3.73's i think it will provide chrisp acceleration and superior drivability...this is going to be a STREET day to day driver for the most part...if i was going to go with a truck that i was going to ONLY drive at the drag strip, i would go with the 4 speeds...

 

[1_v8_merc]

Mind sharing the website you're getting these camsets from?
(i had a website that sold a camset and RR's, but lost it due to a hard drive format on my computer, so i was just curious.)

But stage 3 is WAY overkill for a stockish motor.
I would only go stage 3 cams if I had stage 2 or 3 Port+Polished Heads/Intakes, or was running Supercharger or Turbo kit.

You want to look for stage 1 or 2, that should work fine.
You need to balance things out when upgrading motors, it's not wise to just jump 3 stages on one thing, and the rest of the motor is still stock.lol

I would also stay with a 4 or 5 speed.
Jumping to a 6 speed is only going to be useful if you plan to make BIG power and want SHORT shift intervals, or if you plan to cruise at higher speeds and want to be in at lower RPM's for better MPG or less engine strain....


But it's your truck, so do what ya want.

 

[Limited02]

Where are you getting your cams because Crowers website list a stg3 cam for $600 and that's for only one cam. Technically you would be doing the cams twice anyway because you plan on changing the heads soon.

I can debate with you about what I think you should do, but we only learn by trying things first. So when do you expect to start the cam change?

I personally am waiting to sell my truck and tires, pay off the Ex and then buy a complete upper(H,C,I) from Trickflow and then make a to James to have him dyno tune it on his new dyno. It may be a year before it happens, but it will happen one way or another

 

[zerodevil]

lol

so, i was just a little bit off in my prices for the cam's im looking at about 675 for the set.(yes they apear to come in a set of two for 675, which i understand to be just above avg cost for a set of cams..springs are around 350 as well...im thinking ill just order my cylenderheads at the same time. if i end up waiting and doing the heads at the same time, this will happen at some point later this year.


http://www.lastcallracing.com/crw-62802-2.html - stage 2 cams
http://www.lastcallracing.com/cmp-10246set.html - Cam gears
http://www.lastcallracing.com/crw-84703.html - Springs w/ titanium
http://www.lmpracing.com/23458/50.html - stage 2 heads/ Springs + titanium + anti blow out inserts

im probably going to have MMR make me a custom 5.3L shortblock, with hi-cap oil pump, and higher compression...but i am also torn between just a built 5.4L and going with some adaptors for the intake system.

im not sure i see the point of thet 4 speeds...the 6 speed would be able to keep the engine inside the powerband, as well as keeping it drivable on the streets(which is were its going to live most of its life)..i know it wouldnt be able to tank 800 horses like rockets KBX, or AWD's...but im not aiming that high, i figured a slightly build 6 speed would do just as well..BUT i am not above being wrong here, if im wront let me know guys!!

 

[CALDWELL]

holy power boost batman !

reading about mustangs and F150's with jacked up motors putting out big numbers is one thing...

but reading about X's getting worked up to make big numbers is rare and unheard of in the big picture of FORD PERFORMANCE... and boys i have to be 100% honest with all of you...

Im glad im part of the X movement !!

 

[Av8tor]

I know exactly what you mean. Although with the lincoln, i havent been able to find anyone who has done anything besides just an exhaust or tune. It looks like im the first to think about supercharging it lol.

 

[zerodevil]

av8tor, yours would be realy easy to mod, all you would have to do is get a cobra supercharger+manifold and you would ace!, cams would just be 4v cobra cams, you could probably do pulleys as well...you would probably have to get custom headers made though...go for it!!

 

[Av8tor]

Most of the stuff is already in the garage. Intake, blower, aftercooler, guages, pullies are all ready to go. The custom from brackets which eliminate the need for the front accessories from a cobra, and a K&N intake for the cobra are sitting at ups waiting to be picked up thursday. The remaining parts list for this swap is getting smaller and smaller.

 

[zerodevil]

lol im jellous, im a few years away from having this thing where i want it to be. and btw, i would KILL to have the 4v dohc engine you do...post some video when your done?

 

[Av8tor]

Its probably gonna be at least a year till i start the tear down and swap. Wanna get a few things worked out first. But im definately glad i have this motor to work with. That was one of the reasons i got it. When i was buying it came down to a 03 explorer eddie bauer v8 or the 04 aviator. And all the little differences definately went in favor of the aviator. More power, better brakes, little bit nicer interior, and actually one of the huge things that did it were the guages in it. I loved how it went all black when off and lit up the dials when you turned the key. Ill definately keep everyone apprised on how the project is going. First thing is going to be the electric fans.

 

[Limited02]

Zerodevil- Nearly all CNC'd heads are just factory CNC'd 2V heads. You could PM awdrocks to see who ported his heads and for how much. I am sure it would be cheaper than buying Patriots. Not sure if you have heard, but in July Trickflow shipping the first "true" aftermarket head for 2V's. Has features that will make it a better all around head. Because it's new and all, prices are starting at nearly 2 grand.

Either way, you will have a very stout motor and will be kicking your father in laws SSR's butt

 

[Limited02]

Oh, that link says that it is a stg2 "cam." Meaning that there is only one. You may need to email or call them to verify for sure. I know the pic shows two, but you never know.

 

[zerodevil]

im calling them tomorrow to see, but a set of TWO Comp cams on a different site was about 550, and crower is a little higher end than comp cams...so i dont see 680 to far out for two crower's...also, the price for the 4v engine cams is almost double the cost of the 2v set(and they show 4 cams), so im pretty sure the price is for the set. do these trick flow heads come with springs, rollers and lifters included? i would deff pay the extra for a TRUE aftermarket head. i have found a "bullet-proof" 5r55w for about 5 grand, they say it WILL hold 750 horses...and can do stints of 1000 if i need it to..

 

[Limited02]

Please send a link of the tranny you found!!!

Here is the info about the heads. I have found some dyno testing on other site and will find a link tonight when I get home. The have made 350hp NA at the wheels!
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/TFS-51910001-CNC/

 

[zerodevil]

http://www.levelten.com/Level_10_PTS_Bulletproof_Transmission_p/fordctl-fo1800-5000s.htm

they custom build...i talked to the guy and he seamed to think he can make one to hold 700 pretty easily...im looking at about 4 grand for them to make it, and another thousand to ship it up to me.

 

[macknos94]

level10 is in NJ about 1.45 hours away from my old house. hmm maybe i'll look into them when my truck is down waiting for the new motor and SC to be added