[68 dlxcoupe]

Ok I'm having a dilemma. Im doing the full PI swap on my 97 GT. Im not keeping the cams and springs, instead I and going with new springs and VT stage I or II cams. Problem is I just don't know which ones to go with. I want a noticable idle, and both give that and I also want more power. That where I don't know which one is better. I know both move the powerband further up so I get a bigger RPM band but Ill have to shift at higher RPMS. Anyone got any advice for me? Thanks

[mdvaldosta]

Stage II's are designed for ported heads, stage 1's for stock PI heads. I had the stage 1's and the idle lope is noticeable but not harsh. There will probably be a slight benefit to using the stage 2's at higher rpm even with the stock heads though, and since you're going with good valve springs I'd go ahead and get the II's. The best part about the stage 1's (and why I chose those) was because they work well with stock valve springs.

[68 dlxcoupe]

OK that sounds good I mean, their both the same price so why not get the stage II's right? Thanks

[68 dlxcoupe]

Well what about the comp cams 270's. Are those any good? I've heard a lot about them, but how do they match up with the Stage II's and also the Crower stage II's I have an oppurtunity to get all three for $300 each I just need to pick which one and I know all I'm going to have to change springs so thats not a concern

[Boomer]

I'm kind of partial to the crower or the comps. myself. I don't care for the low LSA of the V/T. If you are planning for a daily driver skip all you have mentioned and comp. 262, they are a great all around cam and will work well with almost any power adder or N/A.

[68 dlxcoupe]

I've never heard of the 262 before.......I'll look into that. I just love the sound of the Stage II's. I want the lopey idle as well as the balls to the wall performance. Thanks for your help guys keep it comin

[Boomer]

That big lopey sound is not really going to make more power, that "lopey sound is going to move the power band up higher which makes it less usable on a near stock engine. When I had the 270's in my engine it only started making power around 4000 rpm and peaked at 6700 and completly died at 7100 rpm mostly due to the limits of the factory intake.
Bigger is not always better when it comes to a limited cubic inch motor.

Another company I like is hitech, their cams are near what I usually use in motors I build and are a good out of the box grind where as I use custom grinds.

One more thing to put into thought is if you are running NPI heads you are limited to around .540 lift cam even with spings as the spring perches are raised causing earlier spring bind. You can run an offset spring to overcome this however without knowledgable portwork done to the heads any ammount of lift over that is a near waste and can cause premature valvetrain wear.

[68 dlxcoupe]

alright Ive done some looking and the 262's seem like the best bang for the buck but what about the stage I's? Also Im defenately NOT runnin the NPI heads Im going with the full PI swap. But with the 262's or the stage I's will I have to change valvesprings and if not should i do it just to be safe?? Thanks

[Boomer]

Originally Posted by 68 dlxcoupe alright Ive done some looking and the 262's seem like the best bang for the buck but what about the stage I's? Also Im defenately NOT runnin the NPI heads Im going with the full PI swap. But with the 262's or the stage I's will I have to change valvesprings and if not should i do it just to be safe?? Thanks

That is questionable and debatable, I always suggest doing springs just for the piece of mind. With the added spring pressure you will not be questioning weather you will be getting valve float at higher rpms. Just to be safe I would do it..

[68 dlxcoupe]

Alright. Well I've got a deal pending on some Comp 270's. Their only 300 and brand new so I think im just going to go with that contrary to the info that your giving me (not trying to be stubborn) I figure that if I do that and it doesn't work out then I'll get some Stage I's and go with those. I really appreciate your help Im still tying to get into the modular swing since I got my GT last year. Ill defenately let you know how everything goes. Thanks