Need Help For NPI to PI Swap

[Ferocious]

This summer i'll be doing a PI cam&intake swap for my car. I've already got the PI intake and i'm hopefully picking up some PI cams (romeo) this weekend. I will continue running the NPI heads, so keep that in mind.

Here's some things i'm wondering:
• What else am I gonna need to do the swap and where can I buy these parts?
• Are there any places on that market that sell kits?
• I know I need new NPI gaskets, but where do I buy them?
• The PI cams will swap in directly, correct? I wont need new cam gears?
• Will the car HAVE to be tuned? I dont have a handheld tuner.
• Will i still safely be able to run on 87?

 

[96TANGERINEGT]

not to be a smart ass but did you ever look here ? i see some of your answers there

http://sn95forums.com/showthread.php?8467-PI-Intake-PI-Cams-Install-How-To

 

[miss2slocoupe]

why are you upgrading the heads?

 

[joekd]

Answer below each question

• What else am I gonna need to do the swap and where can I buy these parts?
I used this link when I did mine http://forums.tccoa.com/showthread.php?t=75799

• Are there any places on that market that sell kits?
Yes, several websites and ebay sell kits. I found I could piece it together cheaper though

• I know I need new NPI gaskets, but where do I buy them?
I bought mine at advanced auto

• Will the car HAVE to be tuned? I dont have a handheld tuner.
No, you will not need a tune. It may help for max HP gain but is not a necessity

• Will i still safely be able to run on 87?
Yes, PI motors run on 87 just fine

Additional - I also changed out both temp sensors while I was doing the swap and if your hoses haven't been done recently it's a perfect time to replace those too

 

[Ferocious]

not to be a smart ass but did you ever look here ? i see some of your answers there
http://sn95forums.com/showthread.php?8467-PI-Intake-PI-Cams-Install-How-To

I've read that as well as a couple other how-to articles. I just need a couple things cleared up.

why are you upgrading the heads?

I'm not. I'm keeping the Npi ones

 

[Ferocious]

I've just read on some articles that people are using PI gaskets on the NPI heads as opposed to the NPI gaskets.
I read that you would only need to use some rtv in 2 spots to seal the coolant ports as opposed to sealing a bit of all 8 ports on the NPI gaskets.

Which would be easier to use for this swap?

 

[joekd]

Here is my story, the first time I did my intake install I used PI gaskets, the intake was on for like 2 weeks then had a hole (manufacturing defect), I RTV'd it up but it was already starting to leak

Redid it on try #2 with the new manifold and non-pi gaskets, years later those are still on there. In other words I will never use anything but non-pi gaskets.

 

[Ferocious]

Redid it on try #2 with the new manifold and non-pi gaskets, years later those are still on there. In other words I will never use anything but non-pi gaskets.

Ok. Thanks. And with that said i just ordered some NPI gaskets.

 

[clark98gt]

Dont forget the pi heater tube that runs under the intake, along with the coolant nipple. I forgot then had to wait a week for Ford to get it in. And no there is no way to make anything else work as far as not changing it out, trust me I tried, I'm very impatient.

 

[miss2slocoupe]

I'm not. I'm keeping the Npi ones

sorry ment to say why arent you?

 

[Ferocious]

sorry ment to say why arent you?

Theres a couple reasons. The main one being its my daily drive and i really dont want it unoperational for more than a day. Me and madstang can do the cam/intake swap in an afternoon probably.. but adding the heads may be cutting it close and i dont want to take that risk. Also i'll be saving some money and making a build most people dont do. I'll be getting a vortech supercharger and getting myself some nice blower grinds that are meant for the npi heads. I want to let people know that NPI headed cars can still lay down some serious power

 

[1997gtRioRed]

hey how much are you paying for the cams? or are you getting aftermarket ones?

http://www.dssracing.com/product_p/stock pi cams.htm

brand new ones for $100

 

[Ferocious]

hey how much are you paying for the cams?
http://www.dssracing.com/product_p/stock pi cams.htm
brand new ones for $100

yup, those were my last resort. i'm getting them from a guy on here for $80 shipped.

 

[1997gtRioRed]

ah ok. its always nice to save a couple bucks

 

[Ferocious]

ah ok. its always nice to save a couple bucks

yup, and DSS racing was $25 shipping.

 

[SRT Handz]

This is my honest Opinion about the PI cams and intake swap.

I had the PI intake, it made things a little nicer, but not really a big deal.

The power you get with PI cams is whatever as well, because in the PI engine what really makes the power is the PI Heads. Plus to do it right you need to buy all new timing chains.

IMHO, Its much easier, cheaper, and faster to just swap in a PI motor. PI motors can be found for pretty much nothing and I feel a motor swap is much easier than swapping cams while the motor is in car.

 

[V8POWA!]

some one in so cal wanna help me what I do my PI motor swap?


Hope it goes smoothly man!!

 

[Ferocious]

V8 Powa, Handz lives in LA, he could help you with a PI motor swap. He did one himself in his garage.

And handz, i'm not swapping in heads now because i dont have the time to do so. So i think a whole motor swap is out of the question lol

 

[RockstarMentality]

Subscribed

 

[Ferocious]

Ok. Most of my question have been answered.

I'll be going to the junkyards next week to possibly looks for some PI heads.
I'll snag them up if I can get a really good deal. If not, i'm just gonna do a cam/intake swap.

The only question I still have is this:
Are the PI cams a DIRECT swap? Or will I have to get new cam gear bolts?

I've heard 2 different answers on a couple different forums.