Coyote cams general question

[331GT]

Maybe this is a dumb question and hopefully not one that's been asked, i did a search first.

but why are cams not a big thing with these engines? im more well versed in the SBF world where cams open up lots of opportunities to make a lot more power and in the exact way you want it, eg low end tq engines, 8k rpm engines, etc. is it just because the VVT and computer tuning has become so much more advanced? or more so just being a DOHC engine instead of pushrod? it seemed to me that even back in the 90s with the 4.6 SOHC and DOHC engines, cams were still not a very common mod. with the SBFs you needed a pretty good set of heads/cam just to even begin to approach stock coyote power. im sure many aftermarket 302 heads wont even flow what OEM coyote 4v heads flow, so i know that comes into the equation too, obviously. does the variable valve timing eliminate the need for aftermarket cams because it can sort of make the OEM cams function as different grinds all at once?

certainly not complaining, just curious as to the tech behind it and understanding it all a bit better.

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[Rick#7]

Just my opinion, but I believe it's a cost vs reward issue. With the pushrod 5.0, and the 289 before it,, a new cam could free up as much as 100 hp over stock, assuming the heads and intake were up to the task, and the cost of swapping the cam was often less than $200 in parts. Most shade tree mechanics were capable of doing the job themselves and getting everything aligned and timed correctly without much issue.

By contrast, the 4.6 and Coyote cam replacement cost runs into 4 figures just for parts, the job is much more complicated, requires a custom tune and the gain is not as dramatic compared to older pushrod engines because the oem cams and VVT system is just that good.

 

[bluebeastsrt]

Rickie hit the nail on the head. For the cost of a cams job you could buy a used blower in the for sale section and make four times the power for the same price.

 

[331GT]

you have a point, i wouldnt think twice about tearing down an old 5.0. A coyote- ill pass i dont trust myself to get it back together properly. never really knew how much HP you get get out of cams on a coyote, never really see anyone doing it, which is part of why i asked. but yea, slapping on a blower kit for a few hundred more rwhp is overall fairly straightforward, and good dollar to hp as mentioned.

 

[EFI]

Besides the cost factor, the twin variable cam adjustment through the computer gives alot more range of power vs. a locked cam like in the SBF. Ford was then able to put in decent sized cams, but make them tame for the street through tuning, and then be able to ramp those up to make big power up top once again through tuning.

Simply put, the gains from aftermarket cams are not as big as in the SBF world and combined that with the astronomical cost to install ($1800 cams + $1200 install for example) makes it a poor dollar/hp value for most people.

 

[Dave2013M3]

Comp cams does have cams that are compatible with the OEM software, its just the a tune frees up a few more hp. From what I have seen these cams make about 15rwhp over stock, but the cost to benefit ratio is so bad. However, I may consider it with the 4.09 gears and such.

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