Internal motor questions...(PI stuff included)

Tbuck07 · Feb 6, 2009

Well I tried to get some help in the 4.6 section but didnt get a whole lot of responses so I thought I'd try here..

My goal is to do the PI swap within the next few months, and possibly more. My outlining questions are these..

1.) I see that Patriot Performance has the cheapest set of cams, and I've heard decent reviews about them..anybody have any idea of performance on them? good/bad?
2.) I would like to get some comp cams (268H) or maybe hitechs, but the price is more..640 for comp cams..599 for the hitech. Which leads me to this..I know its not nessecary to change the springs on the cams but would it make that big of a difference to do so?
3.) When I find my PI heads, I'm considering a port and polish. I dont know how much this usually costs, and is it really worth it?
EDIT
4.) Romeo..Windsor..I searched but it keeps giving me "runtime error / script" errors...whats the huge difference..? If I got windsor heads am I going to notice a huge power loss? or visa versa..? Thanks!

Thats all I can think of now..hopefully I can get some feedback..Thanks guys.

MustangChris · Feb 6, 2009

Tbuck07 said:
Well I tried to get some help in the 4.6 section but didnt get a whole lot of responses so I thought I'd try here..

My goal is to do the PI swap within the next few months, and possibly more. My outlining questions are these..

1.) I see that Patriot Performance has the cheapest set of cams, and I've heard decent reviews about them..anybody have any idea of performance on them? good/bad?

2.) I would like to get some comp cams (268H) or maybe hitechs, but the price is more..640 for comp cams..599 for the hitech. Which leads me to this..I know its not nessecary to change the springs on the cams but would it make that big of a difference to do so?

3.) When I find my PI heads, I'm considering a port and polish. I dont know how much this usually costs, and is it really worth it?
EDIT
4.) Romeo..Windsor..I searched but it keeps giving me "runtime error / script" errors...whats the huge difference..? If I got windsor heads am I going to notice a huge power loss? or visa versa..? Thanks!

Thats all I can think of now..hopefully I can get some feedback..Thanks guys.

#1: avoid PP (IMO) ive personally heard bad things about them...

#2: comp is a good brand, maybe look into a custom grind cam from a head shop to compare costs......

#3: worth it? yes, if you plan on boost or a custom set up... cost for mine: Roughly $2,000.00 for 1mm over (intake and exhaust) on my 01 romeo heads + spark plug inserts + deck the head + CNC combustion chamber + custom cams + springs + etc.etc.etc. + assembly (this is a FULL head build... it was closer to $1,900.00 but i round up)

#4: romeo or windsor. it doesnt matter... same port = same performance... they have different valve cover bolts, they have different timing cover bolts, and they have minor design differences (in the cam brakets and misc. things like that) Look on your VIN code, the 8th digit is your motor. If it's an "X" its a windsor... i suggest trying to stay with a windsor/windor or romeo/romeo to avoid minor problems that you may not hear about (such as the timing cover bolts,) but in all seriousness it doesnt matter.... and any issues you run into can be quickly fixed... except valve covers... be sure to buy proper valve covers

also, windsor have press on gears, romeo have bolt on gears.

Tbuck07 · Feb 6, 2009

Thank you! Just found some heads with cams for 200 bucks with cams already..stock PI cams, I think I'm going ot buy them..they're windsor heads

Tbuck07 · Feb 6, 2009

also, I dont think I could afford a port and polish

MustangChris · Feb 6, 2009

yea, its pricey... if you're not affraid of getting your hands dirty and dont mind tearing your upper motor apart, i would just throw the PIs on there, then when you got enough for a P&P, tear it apart and take 'em in...

but you HAVE to get the head decked... thats where they shave off the bottom part of the head (where it connects to the motor) down untill its perfectly level to ensure a tight seal with the head gasket...

Tbuck07 · Feb 6, 2009

How much will that cost..?

MustangChris · Feb 6, 2009

$100? maybe? lol.

mike97gt · Feb 6, 2009

compression ratio will be raised when you deck the head/block.
also have to be careful with the lift of the cam when doing that.

comp 268's are npi only. 270's are a good grind i think but iirc you have to degree them. new valve springs are always a good idea. keep the valves closing and seating when they should. and that way you know there wont be any valve float.