Comp cams Stage 2 and 3 questions

Has anyone installed a cam in their S197 and if so what info do you have to offer? This looks to be a relatively cheap upgrade compared to an SC or Turbo. Do any of you have any idea what the install cost might be (I am assuming it is out of my realm of expertise)? Is this something you guys would recommend? I mainly want it for the power but I also am looking for the deep gurgling idle my Camaro had after I had a more aggressive cam installed. Thanks in advance!

These links are to two sites where the cams are being sold.

http://www.bamachips.com/store/inde..._id=54&zenid=d58922ba51819df94705eabd7ba2aa3f

http://www.modularmustangracing.com/

Guys with the Crane Stage 3 cams are gaining approximately 30 rwhp all throughout the 4,000+ range. Below that, the #'s seem to be +/- a couple hp/tq, which is fine by me. The car makes plenty low end power as-is for daily driving, and I'm never really below 4,000 rpms when racing anyway.

The general consensus seems to be that the cam install itself isn't TOO bad, but the required valvespring change for anything above the Stage 1 cam is the **** of the process.

i wonder how much if any drivability is lost with the stage 3?would it be a bad idea for a car that is mostly street driven,not a daily driver just my toy, that sees some track time?

What about the Stage IVs? Is it too radical for a daily driver? I'm confused about all these stages, lol.

Thanks a lot man. So if i went with a "Stage II" cam how expensive do you think the install would be? Should i let me buddy that is ASE certified with his own shop for years do this or should i only allow a speed shop with exp on S197s do the work? Is the valvespring adjustment something that any good mechanic should be able to do correctly or can a cam be like gears: easily done wrong? Thanks again.

from what i have gathered, the VCT is the tricky part of the swap. if its not properly installed, then it can create HUGE problems. i dont have any specific links, sorry.

about the cams them selves, here is a quote from brenspeeds website:

What bigcat stated is pretty much the same thing I've read/heard. Everybody with these cams say they idle/drive like stock. Doug @ Bamachips also stated that anything under the Crane "Stage 3" cam isn't worth installing, since his car lost NO driveability or idle issues with the "Bamachips grind" which is basically a variation of the Stage 3.

The general consensus is "go stage 3 or go home"

I'm just waiting to do my heads/cams at the same time because *I* sure don't wanna mess with the valvesprings or the VCT stuff.

Not sure what that is supposed to mean.

Thanks as usual cat. I remember reading that at bama as well. So from the sounds of it the current stage 3 cam will not give me that vicious idle I am looking for. If I want that idle should I just wait and save $$ for some heads as well? Thanks again.

Just from what I have been able to find out, if you want that "lope idle" then you will need to go w/ BBR (Blow-By-Racing) cams. Their "stage 2" seem to be the most are going with if they are selecting that company. I am still on the fence about whether to go w/ Comp stage III or BBR stage II. Again, just what I have gathered, BBR will not net you the same amt of rwhp/rwtq gains one can find w/ Comp but they do sound better. If this helps any. Some members on various mustang sites have good things to say about BBR, while others do not. I guess it requires a call to them. And what direction do you want to go with the car? I want the power gains and the known research Comp did on their cams and the "sound" of BBR cams.

I have the stage 3's and they are great on the road. The idle is actually extremely mild. I picked up almost 30rwhp from them. I'd highly recommend them. As far as install I had it done, so can't comment on the difficultly.

how much was the labor?

My dad actually runs a high performance shop. So, I don't know. I can ask him what they typically run though. I'll try to post back.

Thanks a lot. I want both the sound and the power. Would you guys suggest waiting for a different cam or adding heads too? Thanks.

Does anyone know what swapping cams would do to your emissions? My car is currently emissions exempt, because it is new, but in four years, I'll have to start having it "sniffed" every two years. I'd really like to get the Stage 3 cams and the new FAST intake next spring. Has anyone gone through emissions testing (not just visual inspection) with the Stage 3 cams?

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4593046482213742032&q=race cams

BBR race cams video.. Sounds pretty awesome.

Modifying any engine by installing wilder cams basically raises the horsepower by shifting the torque peak to a higher RPM. This is all well and good as far as horsepower increase, thus lower ET's are concerned.

Keep in mind, however, that by raising the torque peak and running your engine at higher RPM will GREATLY stress the rods. The rods in these engines are most definitely the weak link. I personally would not cam one of these engines and drive it to take advantage of the cam without going to a good set of forged rods. The result of NOT going to forged rods will likely be a windowed block at some point in your future.

Good luck,

While I agree with the principles that you are talking about, I don't know that a cam adds enough torque in the upper rpm range to significantly threaten the longevity of the rods.

There are many people safely running power adders on the stock rotating assembly. And just about any supercharger for the S197 will produce more torque throughout the entire RPM range than a cammed N/A setup will.

To me, the stress of gaining 20-30 rwtq in the 4000+ rpm range from a camshaft doesn't compare to the stress of a blower giving you 80+ rwtq in the 4000+ rpm range.

OK, so then am i being naive or would it not cost that much more to get forged rods/pistons (crank too?) installed with new cams and heads? i plan to add a SC later so this would likely prep the inside for more power. Another question is if i do this now will i be safe to push 550-650HP through the assembly? Thanks guys.