Hey guys, been busy with my Automatic 03 Silver GT. Lots of mods now, almost every bolt on, completely new 31 spline axles, and 31 spline rear end with 4.10 gears etc. But I've been looking into Stage II cams. What I have heard the 2 best contestants seem to be VT/CMS Stage II's and Hitech stage II. Its seems the Hitech ones have any easier time with PTV clearance, but to be safe im going to degree and get valve springs for probably any cam I get, (unless valve springs are really un-necessary). I heard the CMS are great customer support and such, but they tend to really lose low end torque and pick up high and everyone seems to say the Hitech's don't get that same low end torque loss and produce better numbers on non ported Head setups. The thing is I also heard some horror stories on the guy bart at Hitech motorsports. Any thoughts?

 

I can speak from expirience with the VT/Cushman stage II's. Had them in my GT now for a long time now..... since '05 or '06 maybe LOL!
They have been very good too to me, and i have no complaints about them. Loss of low end, maybe a tad, but nothing a set of gears couldn't fix,..... which most stang rodders do gears anyways. She pulls hard right past redline without issues, and rev's quick between gears changes.
Mine made 298 hp with supporting mods on stock long block, and heads, minus long tube headers.
Springs are a for sure like you stated, same as a tune, a tune has to be done. Some guys have had idling issues with these cams after install, but my GT didn't. I actually drove around for a few eeks without a tune suprisingly, but did not get on it.
Did my cams get degreed, no, my Ford Tech buddy just installed them straight up the first time they were installed, and when i had to rebuild my top end due to over revving with a missed shift racing, i re installed the straight up as he did with no issues..... but it wouldn't hurt to degree them to be safe.
Plus i have met the Cushman brothers, they are very awesome guys. I became good friends with one over the years...... and they are Canadian too! Both have worked with Sean Hyland in the beginning, so they know their modular stuff.

 

Yea degreeing im going to do no matter what, just to play it safe! I heard from you and many others that they are great as well as hitech! My only fear is I dont wanna lose that low end torque and lose that seat in the pants feel! I heard hitech is good for that, but I also heard drop off in HP at high RPM. Does the high end pickup from the CMS cams make up for the loss in low end? I don't do much 1/4 mile drag, I know that will help for long stretch, but im more 0-60 street off the line kinda guy And I don't wanna suffer with a loss in pickup off the line. I do however have a whole new 31 spline rear end with 4.10 gears so will that make up for the loss in tq? Also what is a good brand of springs you'd suggest? Thanks man!

 

If the drags is not much of a big plan for you, then stage 1 cams would be more suited for you. As you move up to larger cams, they intend to favour higher rpm rather then low end torque. That's where larger numbered gears come into play like 4.30's, or 4.56's. They are used to get you out of the hole, while the higher rpm breathing engine spins faster to get you to the end of the track.... if that makes sence LOL.
When i use to read up on the stage 2 cams, most guys ran 4.30 gears or larger, and drag raced pretty hardcore, while a handfull ran 4.10's.
I myself have 4.10's, but plan on upping my rear to 4.30's,.... been saying this for a few years now lol, but money always gets tied up with something else .
4.10's are perfect for a stock 4.6L GT, once you start digging into cams, heads, intake, ects, you need more gear. The modular engine favours higher rpm, and the low end is just not there compared to a push rod engine, or a blown engine, so once you start making that little 2V breath by up grading your mods, the low end begins to lack a little more.
This is basically why most go the blower route with modular Ford engines..... besides the fact they make great instant power LOL!

 

Yea that totally makes sense, the gears get you out of the hole and into the RPM range that your cams take over and rip you down the track! I just feel like stage I is not worth it in a way, you know the saying "Go big or go home", kinda thing! They just dont produce enough HP for the money IMO. Stage II's do require a higher stall for my Automatic, 3000 - 3500 with lockup and that paired with the 4.10's and 31 spline rear end Im just hoping will get my into that RPM range quick enough! What do you think? I mean I don't drag much now, (it is my daily driver and 4.30 and up would rape me lol!) but im sure that will probably change after im all said and done mods as I'd like to see my 1/4 mile time. But I got lots of friends with fast vehicles (Srt8's etc) And I gotta find a way to woop them and we got tons of these old back roads near my friends house that are abandoned and we...safely, might kinda "race" on

 

I hear what you are saying with the go big or go home, but some guys have run into the 11's with the VT stage 1 cams.
Not trying to stray you away from a stage 2 at all, just want you to know that unless you have racing on your plans all the time, then stage 2's might not be what you want, that's all.
I have no expirience with a mustang that has had an auto trans, but with my 5 speed stick, i know i was disappointed with the 3.73's, so i went 4.10's, did the cams around the same time, and i wish i had went 4.30's soon after,..... just to get that low end feel back in my GT for street use, on the track is not as noticeable as you spend more time spinning the rpms up from launching to shifting gears...... And that is were the stage 2 cams really wake up.
If you have your heart set on stage 2's, yea i will state, they are a great cam, i have not been disappointed yet, and love the way my GT sounds too LOL!

 

No that totally makes sense, mines a daily driver, and I'll only be racing on weekends (back roads or tracks, or having fun!) And the rest of the time im just cruising to work, unless somehow someone just happens to line up with me I heard the VT stage I's really don't make all that much less up top either, I saw a couple posts saying as little as 5HP less in the high end, compared to stage II is that off? I was also thinking maybe some head work to help the combo with cams. Just seeing my friend tear off with his 04 mach 1 with 320 HP to the wheels and still be a completely tame DD, just makes me need as much power as that!

 

I'm just letting you know what you need to think about, there is more to cams other then hp numbers, and sound.It boils down to long term car usage, and the cars main purpose.
If you do decide stage 2's, choose your rear gear appropiatly, or you will be very disappointed, and will end up spending double to upgrade. I know that one for a fact. LOL!! 4.30's are a definite for my GT's future as long as i keep this engine combo .

 

No I know, it totally makes sense, I wanna make sure my pony lives a good long life being my daily driver, and I wouldn't want to be disapointed by spending money on a power adder that I don't like! I just feel like N/A is the way to go, its gotta be easier on the engine, making power naturally then doing FI, so of course im looking for a good way to make good power naturally. I heard these were awesome:
CMS/Trick Flow Head&Cam Package Twisted Wedge 185 2V Heads 38cc - Cushman Motorsports
Trick flow and I could do a CMS stage I combo, or hell, some people say do a 5.4 swap, that its actually relatively cheap to haha.

 

That would be a nice upgrade!!