1996 5 speed GT Coupe
Steeda Timing Adjuster (T/A) - Set at 14 degrees base timing, +-1 degree, for the time being. I installed this at the same time as the PI cams so I'll review their power increases together. I may go back and set the timing back to stock and see if I can seperate the effects of the increased timing from the cams. I would suppose that most of the low end power is from the T/A and most of the top end gain is from the cams.
Very easy to install, especially since I already had the front of the motor torn down for the cam swap
Quality seems good. Parts look great with their anodized blue finish.
I think this is a must-have first modification. I don't know why you wouldn't want one of these - even if you have a dyno tune, the ability to make adjustments to the overall timing is just too handy. The only downside is the necessary use of premium gasoline with the advanced timing.
PI Camshafts - Used set of PI cams out of, I believe, a set of 1999 GT heads. Owner of the heads is going to use them on his 1998 GT but is awaiting aftermarket cams so I grabbed up the stock PI cams when offered. Again, since I installed these along with the T/A, I'll review them together.
For anyone thinking about installing cams, plan on at least a very looooong day or a good weekend to install them. Installation is fairly straightforward but very time consuming. Many, many thanks to UA2K1GT, 95GTMAN, Sendero, WALL96COBRA, scothew_gt, and especially LEE93COBRA and ItalianLX for sticking with me and helping me finish up and making sure I got everything back together and in good running order. You guys are the best!
These were used cams, but as far as quality goes, they were in good shape with no pronounced wear and they dropped right in as expected. For the price, they can't be beat for pre-PI motors, however, if you're paying a shop to do the work then they may not be as much of a bargain.
Cams & T/A Driving Impressions - I am very pleased with the results of these two modifications. Low RPM power is way up and high RPM power is up too, with more useable RPMs. As a bonus, the car is now noticeably louder and much more agressive sounding - I was not expecting that at all. All my StangNet/Bama Mafia buddies noticed it right away.
High end power is definitely improved. The motor pulls strongly past 5000 RPMs. Hard to say exactly how much more HP is on tap until I get a chance to take it to the strip.
What's really impressive though is the improvement down low. Power all the way from idle to 3500 RPMs is vastly improved. 2000 - 3500 RPM is very strong and very crisp, no longer soggy like it was before, no more waiting for the torque curve to wake up at 3500 RPM, no more feeling of being in the wrong gear when putzing around in traffic and needing to accelerate - much more fun to drive around town now.
The car will also pull effortlessly from 1200 RPM in 4th gear now and even in 5th gear at 1800 RPM, the car accelerates with more urgency when you ease down on the accelerator.
Overall, it feels like I've got a bigger engine under the hood.
After a 100 mile interstate cruise and several trips around town and on a windy country road, I have noticed no pinging or driveability problems (knock on wood). So far I am very happy.