Gears or Cam?

[foxmustangman]

So I've been trying to figure out how to drop my ET's a bit. I was thinking that the rearend I bought my car with (4.10) was too high and that maybe I should start looking at 3.73's.

But Maybe I should get a more agressive cam to better fit the 4.10's, I just don't know if I want to rip my engine apart yet though.

What do you think the best way to go would be? Thanks for your input.

 

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

If you already have the gear, just get the cam. The question is, do you have the heads and intake to match the cam? If you do then you'll be rewarded for keeping the gear....if you get 3.73s you might drop ET just a tad but not enough to justify the work IMO, at least not vs. what gains you'll see if you put a cam in it.

 

[NIKwoaC]

A cam is a waste in an otherwise stock engine. Do an intake and/or heads first. The stock cam is actually pretty decent.

 

[Saleen8786]

Like stated above the cam aint a gonna do d ick all on a stock motor,and leave the 4.10's your not gonna pick up much more off the 3.73's(waste of time and $). Save up and throw an intake on it. You can pick up used ones off ebay pretty cheap now a days. Also do you have headers on your car? Shorties can be picked up for like $60 bucks here and there.

 

[DeVus1]

New heads/cam/intake > the other two decisions.

 

[foxmustangman]

Okay, so new intake and stuff first. How about porting heads and stuff? How much does it cost, and would it help as much as getting new heads?

 

[DeVus1]

Porting stock heads would be a waste of money/time. Best bet, buy new heads and have them ported/polished prior to install. The right head/intake combo will give you the best horsepower increase aside from a power adder.

 

[foxmustangman]

Alright. Would a GT40 intake be good, or should i look more aftermarket?

 

[DeVus1]

Depends on your goals and set up. Most people go for Trickflow heads and intake. It's been know to produce a good amount of power.

 

[Saleen8786]

the cobra intakes go for the cheapest and are very good,real gt40 are expensive but good,explorer intakes are good but i believe you have to mod it alittle. I run a trickflow street heat on my car and it gives me great low end power which is where you need it.

 

[foxmustangman]

Alright. I'll try to look for used trickflow stuff. Any other tips/suggestions?

 

[25thmustang]

Porting stock heads would be a waste of money/time. Best bet, buy new heads and have them ported/polished prior to install. The right head/intake combo will give you the best horsepower increase aside from a power adder.

This depends, if you DIY, have a spare set to do it off the car, it would only cost the materials and gaskets... Ported E7s with a ported intake and bolt ons could run strong as well!!!

 

[cenok is family]

This depends, if you DIY, have a spare set to do it off the car, it would only cost the materials and gaskets... Ported E7s with a ported intake and bolt ons could run strong as well!!!

:Word:

they're definitely not a waste of time or money, but if you can afford to go aftermarket aluminum, do it. i have thumper ported e7's with 1.94/1.6 valves and my car runs strong! no track times yet but 12s won't be a problem.

 

[foxmustangman]

Would it be hard to port the intake as well?

 

[ryan218]

1.6 RR do them.

 

[Saleen8786]

Would it be hard to port the intake as well?

no sense in porting the intake or your stock heads dude just save your time. Just get an intake,tb and maf and you'll be in love with your car more so

 

[DeVus1]

This depends, if you DIY, have a spare set to do it off the car, it would only cost the materials and gaskets... Ported E7s with a ported intake and bolt ons could run strong as well!!!

Would save quite a bit of money. I just don't believe the time invested, depending on how fast you can tear off the heads, is worth the trouble of a few extra horsepower.

If you are going to spend time breaking the engine down, might as well get some better gains out of it.

 

[white 89 GT]

Leave the gears, use 1" taller tire if needed. I like mt drag radials.
Don`t bother with a cam, do exaust (no mac stuff) headers.
Intake, Cobra/gt40 intake for stockish engine is as good as any.
Heads if you can afford it, used will save money.

 

[foxmustangman]

yeah, i'll probably do GT40 since I'm planning on getting a Kenny Bell sometime in the future. I'm going to get some new tires soon too. 27" tall...

 

[25thmustang]

Would save quite a bit of money. I just don't believe the time invested, depending on how fast you can tear off the heads, is worth the trouble of a few extra horsepower.

If you are going to spend time breaking the engine down, might as well get some better gains out of it.

This is true, it depends on how good you are with tools. A well ported E7 head on the right combo is a deep 12 second car. In my eyes a bit more than a few hp, but then again that differs with each and every car. Some get stuck in the 14s after that work, others run with HCI set ups. It's the right choice for some, not for others...

I will let you know when I decide to port my stock heads .