96-98 cams.

[IUP99snake]

I've read a few articles about the benefits of 96-98 cobra cams or even 99-01 cobra cams in the later 4V heads found on the 03/04 cobra, Mach, Marauder, and Lincoln Aviator.

I have a 99 cobra with a procharger and an Aviator long block that has the later 4V heads and cams. (The same long block found on the Mach 1's)

But I'm thinking of doing a "budget" cam swap and trying to find a set of 96-98 cobra cams.

From what I understand, these cams are geared a little more towards the higher RPM, but can unleash some extra potential in these later 4V heads.

Has anyone done this swap? What advantages do they offer, if any? I'd be happy with an extra 15-20 HP. But I don't want to trade off the low end torque that the 03/04 heads and cams offer. It's a HUGE difference compared to my combination with the 99-01 cobra heads.

If these cams don't really provide much of a benefit for the cost and work necessary for the swap, what do you think the best 4V FACTORY cams for the 03/04 4V heads? I know the FGT or 00 cobra cams would be the best, but given their availability, let's assume they don't exist.

What's the difference in the Navigator cams? Are they basically the same thing as the 06-98 cams or 99-01 cams? Or were they designed for better breathing on the 5.4?

This sounds crazy, but what about the 4V "intech" cams in the front wheel drive Lincoln Continental?

Homer

 

[DarkMach1]

If you have a blower and want cams, get blower cams. The earlier 4V cams are more for N/A peak power.

 

[ModularFan]

alot of the b-headed turbo guys use the 96-98 cams, because of the higher top end they give. your best bet would be to get custom spec'd cams or FR500's

Mach 1, 03/04 Cobra, Aviator, Marauder and Navigator (Nav intake cam only)
Intake: 184 deg @ .050/.394 lift
Exhaust: 196 deg @ .050/.397" lift

Thats about all I have found.

As for the Navi having more tq, while it is partly due to the larger displacement its cams make it come on lower in the RPM range. For example in alot of ways the 99/01 Cobra motors are similar to the 03/04 Mach 1's however the Mach's tq comes in much lower in the RPM range than the Cobras did due to the cams.

 

[Bmeagher]

Check my thread history, i had some nice gains from 5000 up. Screw the cams, swap the blower pulley!

 

[IUP99snake]

Check my thread history, i had some nice gains from 5000 up. Screw the cams, swap the blower pulley!

True. I'm pretty much at the boost limit right now, being that my motor doesn't have forged internals. I'm looking for other ways of making more power without having to add more boost (as much as I'd want to).

I'm also thinking of an electric water pump. That's a good way of "freeing up" extra HP instead of having to make extra power. (Not to get too off subject)

Homer

 

[R-code17815]

96-98 Cams will add about 10-15hp, depending on the combo

99-01 Cams even tho spec'd smaller give almost as much!

If your running 03 up 4v heads remember all you need to change is the Two Intake cams, exhaust cams are fine and do not need to be changed.(all the same)

I've owned a Mach1 for almost 5 years now, almost 3 years with the cam swap.
:rockon:

If you do the work yourself, the whole job with gaskets & new torque to yeild bolts should be under 500 bucks.

 

[R-code17815]

FACTORY FORD CAM SPECS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mach 1, 03/04 Cobra, Aviator, Marauder, Navigator
Intake: 184 deg @ .050/.397" lift (measured duration)
Exhaust: 196 deg @ .050/.397" lift
114 LCs

96-98 Cobra
intake PN#s F6ZE-6A270-AB crosses to F6ZZ-6250-AA
F6ZE-6A271-AB crosses to F6ZZ-6250-BA

Intake: 202-204 deg @.050/ .397 lift
Exhaust: 196 deg @.050/.397 lift
114/114 LCs

99/01 Cobra
Intake: 200 deg @.050/.397 lift (measured duration)
Exhaust: 196 deg @.050/.397 lift
114 LCs

FR500 (M-6550-T46)
intake: 212 deg @.050 /.472 lift (measured duration)
exhaust: 208 deg @.050 /.472 lift (measured duration)
109 LCs

GT Cams: (actual as tested numbers, not Ford specs)
Intake: 189 @ .050"/.424 lift (measured duration)
Exhaust: 190 @ .050"/.448" lift (measured duration)

Cobra R specs:
Intake: .515'' lift 212 deg dur @.050
Exhaust: .468'' lift 212 deg dur @.050

 

[R-code17815]

COMP DOHC Cam Specs:

Part Number: 106060
Grind Number: XE254BH-116
RPM Range: 1000-5000
Intake: 218 deg @ .050/.425" lift Exhaust: 218 deg @.050/.425" lift 116 LCs

Part Number: 106100
Grind Number: XE262AH-114
RPM Range: 1200-5400
Intake: 226 deg @ .050/.425" lift Exhaust: 222 deg @.050/.425" lift 114 LCs

Part Number: 106160
Grind Number: XE266BH-116
RPM Range: 1500-6000
Intake: 230 deg @ .050/.425" lift Exhaust: 230 deg @.050/.425" lift 116 LCs

Part Number: 106200
Grind Number: XE270AH-114
RPM Range: 1800-6200
Intake: 234 deg @ .050/.425" lift Exhaust: 230 deg @.050/.425" lift 114 LCs

Part Number: 106300
Grind Number: XE262AH-114
RPM Range: 1500-5800
Intake: 226 deg @ .050/.425" lift Exhaust: 224 deg @.050/.425" lift 114 LCs

Part Number: 106400
Grind Number: XE270BH-114
RPM Range: 1800-6200
Intake: 234 deg @ .050/.475" lift Exhaust: 232 deg @.050/.450" lift 116 LCs

Part Number: 106500
Grind Number: XE278AH-114
RPM Range: 2200-6500
Intake: 242 deg @ .050/.475" lift Exhaust: 240 deg @.050/.450" lift 112 LCs

Part Number: 106260
Grind Number: XE258BH-116
RPM Range: 1200-5800
Intake: 222 deg @ .050/.475" lift Exhaust: 224 deg @.050/.450" lift 116 LCs

Part Number: 106360
Grind Number: XE266BH-116
RPM Range: 1500-6000
Intake: 230 deg @ .050/.475" lift Exhaust: 232 deg @.050/.450" lift 116 LCs

Part Number: 106460
Grind Number: XE274BH-116
RPM Range: 2000-6400
Intake: 238 deg @ .050/.475" lift Exhaust: 240 deg @.050/.450" lift 116 LCs

 

[IUP99snake]

96-98 Cams will add about 10-15hp, depending on the combo

99-01 Cams even tho spec'd smaller give almost as much!

If your running 03 up 4v heads remember all you need to change is the Two Intake cams, exhaust cams are fine and do not need to be changed.(all the same)

I've owned a Mach1 for almost 5 years now, almost 3 years with the cam swap.
:rockon:

If you do the work yourself, the whole job with gaskets & new torque to yeild bolts should be under 500 bucks.

I saw a lincoln Mark VIII at the local pick N pull a few weeks ago with the motor still intact. I understand those cams are the same as the 96-98 cobras. I'm sure I could pull the cams out of that motor for CHEAP. And also be able get some practice on a junkyard motor while I'm pulling them.

Is it true you have to pull the motor to swap the cams? Or at least strip the motor down to the bare long block, removing the front cover and everything? From what I understand, it's a pretty labor intensive process..

Homer

 

[98 Saleen Cobra]

the Mark VIII cams are not the same as the cobra 98 cams.. They are different.

 

[nelos04]

Yes you need to pull the front cover and of course valve covers.

 

[RIO RED SNAKE]

yea the lincoln cams are diff than 96-98 cams...they arent as good (power making wise)

 

[Chris _Scott]

If you have a blower and want cams, get blower cams. The earlier 4V cams are more for N/A peak power.

Although blower specific grind cams would yield better overall gains and powerband...but that is also a lot of $$..and it sounds like the OP is looking to gain some power quickly without being $1k+ deep into swapping cams.

A simple swap to 96-98 cams can be done for really cheap, I believe I sold my set of cams for like.. $120 shipped.

Although with centris and turbo...a combination that makes more power n/a..will make MORE power with boost as well. PD blowers are a different nature however.

With that said, I generally wouldn't recommend swapping cams if you aren't pulling the motor when you are boosted..but since you mentioned you don't want to crank up the boost anymore..then I think a swap to 96-98 cams [or even 99-01 are miles better than the stock cams] is an excellent idea. :rockon:

 

[IUP99snake]

Although blower specific grind cams would yield better overall gains and powerband...but that is also a lot of $$..and it sounds like the OP is looking to gain some power quickly without being $1k+ deep into swapping cams.

A simple swap to 96-98 cams can be done for really cheap, I believe I sold my set of cams for like.. $120 shipped.

Although with centris and turbo...a combination that makes more power n/a..will make MORE power with boost as well. PD blowers are a different nature however.

With that said, I generally wouldn't recommend swapping cams if you aren't pulling the motor when you are boosted..but since you mentioned you don't want to crank up the boost anymore..then I think a swap to 96-98 cams [or even 99-01 are miles better than the stock cams] is an excellent idea. :rockon:

Thanks!

 

[1SLOSN95]

so, i would see no benefit in swappinmg my 01 intake cams for my set of 97 intake cams.

 

[na svt]

Has anyone done this swap? What advantages do they offer, if any? I'd be happy with an extra 15-20 HP. But I don't want to trade off the low end torque that the 03/04 heads and cams offer. It's a HUGE difference compared to my combination with the 99-01 cobra heads.

they offer more power throughout the entire range. I have dyno sheets that show this.

If these cams don't really provide much of a benefit for the cost and work necessary for the swap, what do you think the best 4V FACTORY cams for the 03/04 4V heads? I know the FGT or 00 cobra cams would be the best, but given their availability, let's assume they don't exist.

The GT cams may offer a little more power in an FI setup but they come at a greater cost and the work required to swap them becomes a little more extensive.

What's the difference in the Navigator cams? Are they basically the same thing as the 06-98 cams or 99-01 cams? Or were they designed for better breathing on the 5.4?

Navigator cams are the same as those in your car now (and the Mach, marauder, avaitor and 03/04 cobra)

This sounds crazy, but what about the 4V "intech" cams in the front wheel drive Lincoln Continental?

184 deg intake cams, same as the mach, marauder, aviator, navigator, 03/04 Cobras and 93-98 Mark 8s.

Although with centris and turbo...a combination that makes more power n/a..will make MORE power with boost as well. PD blowers are a different nature however.

Chris, what do you mean by "centris and turbo...a combination that makes more power n/a?" Here are the facts, 96-98 intake cams swapped into a centri, PD or turbo blown combos will increase power. I've seen 30rwhp at 17lbs by putting them into an 03 Cobra. Although Turbo combos will benefit more, all FI comos realize gains from more intake dur.

Is it true you have to pull the motor to swap the cams? Or at least strip the motor down to the bare long block, removing the front cover and everything? From what I understand, it's a pretty labor intensive process..Homer

With that said, I generally wouldn't recommend swapping cams if you aren't pulling the motor when you are boosted..

Doing an intake cam swap with the engine installed is easy...very easy. The front cover will have to come off (for most people) but that's an easy task to accomplish.

so, i would see no benefit in swapping my 01 intake cams for my set of 97 intake cams.

Correct

 

[Chris _Scott]

Chris, what do you mean by "centris and turbo...a combination that makes more power n/a?" Here are the facts, 96-98 intake cams swapped into a centri, PD or turbo blown combos will increase power. I've seen 30rwhp at 17lbs by putting them into an 03 Cobra. Although Turbo combos will benefit more, all FI comos realize gains from more intake dur.

I meant pretty much what you said [just didn't word it right, lol]

someone mentioned that 96-98 cams were meant more for N/A and not power adders...but that doesn't matter. If the car makes more power N/A then it will make more power after boost goes through it.

and while doing intake cam swaps isn't the hardest thing in the world...but it is more involved than just simply swapping pulleys. But like I mentioned for the OP's case where he doesn't want to put anymore boost through his motor...swapping those cams would be beneficial especially for the cheap price.

 

[na svt]

I have 3 sets of 96-98 intake cams if you're interested.

 

[mustanginky]

if you're interested i've got a set for sale for $150

 

[Jimmysidecarr]

Though all 4.6 DOHC engines from 2003 and on do use the 99-04 Navigator intake cams I thought that the exhaust cams in the Navi were unique?

Where as the exhaust cams in the 03 and after 4.6 DOHC use the 99-01 exhaust cams.

Am I remembering this wrong?(former Ford parts guy):shrug: