Cylinder head swap

JerZeyStangz

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Would you get a shop to install your cylinder heads? or would you try to accomplish this task on your own. It seems like there isn't any reputable shops in my area that can do this upgrade. What is your take on this for people with older mustangs?


-Nate
 

lwarrior1016

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Would you get a shop to install your cylinder heads? or would you try to accomplish this task on your own. It seems like there isn't any reputable shops in my area that can do this upgrade. What is your take on this for people with older mustangs?


-Nate

I do it all myself. I just did a head swap on a buddies 96 gt. Pi heads, and a set of bullet cams. We started working on it about 9 Saturday morning and had it running Sunday evening. It would have been done faster than that but we ran it no problems getting gaskets and his exhaust was by far the hardest one ive ever removed.
 
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JerZeyStangz

JerZeyStangz

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I do it all myself. I just did a head swap on a buddies 96 gt. Pi heads, and a set of bullet cams. We started working on it about 9 Saturday morning and had it running Sunday evening. It would have been done faster than that but we ran it no problems getting gaskets and his exhaust was by far the hardest one ive ever removed.

Sounds like you've been down this road before. I'm looking into some high end 44cc tfs heads with some mhs 2v cams. The head will most like be fully assembled with cam in it so it comes down to more of a swap. I just never did something so extensive and time consuming on mustang before. Its safe to say that I probably dont have all the tools or knowledge I think.


-Nate
 

lwarrior1016

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Sounds like you've been down this road before. I'm looking into some high end 44cc tfs heads with some mhs 2v cams. The head will most like be fully assembled with cam in it so it comes down to more of a swap. I just never did something so extensive and time consuming on mustang before. Its safe to say that I probably dont have all the tools or knowledge I think.


-Nate

Honestly, I think you are more than capable. Do you have a set amount of time that your car has to be put together in? The tool list required is really minimal. I could put a sort of list together if you need me to. I also recommend that you install the heads without the cams. The cams keep some of the valves open just enough to cause problems, and its easier to torque the heads without the cams installed.

Make sure to get cams that are specific to tfs heads. Cams made for pi heads will not make the same power as an equal cam for tfs heads.
 
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JerZeyStangz

JerZeyStangz

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Honestly, I think you are more than capable. Do you have a set amount of time that your car has to be put together in? The tool list required is really minimal. I could put a sort of list together if you need me to. I also recommend that you install the heads without the cams. The cams keep some of the valves open just enough to cause problems, and its easier to torque the heads without the cams installed.

Make sure to get cams that are specific to tfs heads. Cams made for pi heads will not make the same power as an equal cam for tfs heads.

Definitely, I read an interesting article from L&M engines about how the PI cams weren't good for TFS heads. Is it that much harder to install the camshafts after the head is bolted to the block? A list would be nice I can save it so when I get the heads next year I can look at it.

-Nate
 

lwarrior1016

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Definitely, I read an interesting article from L&M engines about how the PI cams weren't good for TFS heads. Is it that much harder to install the camshafts after the head is bolted to the block? A list would be nice I can save it so when I get the heads next year I can look at it.

-Nate

Cam swap on the engine is a piece of cake.
 

DropTopPony

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Nate with all of the write ups that are around for swapping PI heads you should have no problem at all. A few even include needed tool lists and sizes etc.

Are you worried about degreeing the cams and ordering the pre-done cams/gears from MHS?

I know Big Daddy Performance in Lakewood is good and so is Radical Racing down by me in Atco NJ. Both are long time Mustang shops but there has to be 2 dozen shops between us that can do a simple head swap and cam install on a 4.6.

I had mine torn down with hand tools and an electric impact in about an hour the first time I did my heads. Putting it back together took 2 days as I was chasing parts but yours isn't a daily driver so I have total faith you can install yourself. If you go the pre-degreed setup from MHS or even CMS (my preference) I think you will save yourself like a $1000 in labor.
 
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JerZeyStangz

JerZeyStangz

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Nate with all of the write ups that are around for swapping PI heads you should have no problem at all. A few even include needed tool lists and sizes etc.

Are you worried about degreeing the cams and ordering the pre-done cams/gears from MHS?

I know Big Daddy Performance in Lakewood is good and so is Radical Racing down by me in Atco NJ. Both are long time Mustang shops but there has to be 2 dozen shops between us that can do a simple head swap and cam install on a 4.6.

I had mine torn down with hand tools and an electric impact in about an hour the first time I did my heads. Putting it back together took 2 days as I was chasing parts but yours isn't a daily driver so I have total faith you can install yourself. If you go the pre-degreed setup from MHS or even CMS (my preference) I think you will save yourself like a $1000 in labor.

I'm worried about the whole process. I never did a head cylinder swap before but I am eager to push this thing past the 200rwhp range. Anything timing related erks me because I have no experience with it at all. You guys are pumping confidence in me haha. Thanks for shop recommendations I will into them as plan A or plan B option.
 

lwarrior1016

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Timing a stock modular engine takes literally 45 seconds per side. It really is a simple as line up the dots. Crank for at 6, cam dots pointing more up. Then line the chains up on the dots. It's very very simple.
 

PinkieT

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I hear how hard it is to install the exhaust manifolds. I'm hoping to do mine in the car. Maybe stupid question, but when I do the swap could I bolt the manifolds to the heads then put the heads on the block?
 

96blak54

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Not a stupid question at all. I to am curious. Good question. Anytime ive been involved with anything engine wise, the engine was out on a stand. Even though removing the engine is evolved, it just seems easier to remove it to do any work.
 

lwarrior1016

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remive the midpipe from the car and don't touch the manifolds until the heads are out. Then transfer your manifolds to the new heads and put it all back together.
 

PinkieT

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Thanks! I'm thinking if I do the head swap good time to add shorty headers. Like lwarrior said, drop the midpipe, remove the heads with the factory manifolds, bold the shorties to the new heads, drop them on.
 

DropTopPony

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I hear how hard it is to install the exhaust manifolds. I'm hoping to do mine in the car. Maybe stupid question, but when I do the swap could I bolt the manifolds to the heads then put the heads on the block?

Yes leave them on.
 
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JerZeyStangz

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Best factory shorties are JBA's right? Also the 99-04 manifolds can work with out years right with no change?
 

96blak54

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Are the JBA equal length? I know the ford racing shorties are really close to stock outer dimensions
 

96blak54

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Those look nice! They are not equal length. Im thinking if they were equal length like bbk shorties, they may pose a problem with room.
 

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I replaced my BBK with JBA and was amazed in the difference. Better welding/fit thicker flange just all around top notch product.
 

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