Camshaft Advice

[kekoa achong]

I was wondering what anyone would suggest for an aftermarket camshaft on a 2015 GT mustang NA car with basic mods?

 

[Mad Hatter]

Would definitely recommend the LM intake only cams that Shaun at AED designed. If you have some miles on the car, maybe time for a timing chain kit as well. You can expect up to 30 rwhp and you don't loose bottom end. Wilder cams can get you double that but you will loose the same amount lower down in the range. And since its only one cam, its half the price!!!

Quite a few TMO members have them with good results.

LM-C15-IO L&M “Intake Only” 5.0L Coyote Camshaft (2015-'17, 2 Cam Set)

The 2015-'17 version of our “Intake Only” camshaft set for 5.0L Coyote engines. The “Intake Only” swap is a drop in, no springs required ( NSR ),camshaft set that gains power across the entire RPM range without sacrificing low to mid-range power. Designed to be easy to tune and maintain full VCT...

lmengines.com

 

[kekoa achong]

Would definitely recommend the LM intake only cams that Shaun at AED designed. If you have some miles on the car, maybe time for a timing chain kit as well. You can expect up to 30 rwhp and you don't loose bottom end. Wilder cams can get you double that but you will loose the same amount lower down in the range. And since its only one cam, its half the price!!!

Quite a few TMO members have them with good results.

LM-C15-IO L&M “Intake Only” 5.0L Coyote Camshaft (2015-'17, 2 Cam Set)

The 2015-'17 version of our “Intake Only” camshaft set for 5.0L Coyote engines. The “Intake Only” swap is a drop in, no springs required ( NSR ),camshaft set that gains power across the entire RPM range without sacrificing low to mid-range power. Designed to be easy to tune and maintain full VCT...

lmengines.com

So it’s just the intake side? Also would you recommend locking the cams out with only doing a single cam?

 

[TMSBOSS]

Locking the cams is common in cars used for drag racing.

What will you be doing with your car?

 

[kekoa achong]

Locking the cams is common in cars used for drag racing.

What will you be doing with your car?

It’s just a daily I’m trying to get a little more HPs out of. I have looked at thumpr cams from compcams and they suggested to lock them out. They said it would make tuning easier. I’m they greatest mechanic I know just enough to be dangerous.

 

[Mad Hatter]

For the street you would not want to lock out the cams. The LM intake cams are just a simple install without affecting the phasers. Maybe change the springs for peace of mind. With the cams you would have to get a tune as well.

 

[kekoa achong]

Thanks for the help. What is the advantage or disadvantage of locking the cams?

 

[Dave_W]

Advantage of locking the cams is that it's easier to tune - one less thing to deal with - and for drag racing you're not worried about part-throttle drivability. Disadvantage is losing the ability to use camshaft phasing to dynamically change the separation angle between the intake and exhaust lobes - aka Lobe Separation Angle. At low rpm and part throttle (low torque demand), you can have the idle quality, mpg and emissions of high LSA, but phase the cams to a low LSA under high torque demand to get the better low-end torque and high-rpm cylinder filling. Read this article for a shootout of different LSA cams (there's also an episode of Engine Masters on MotorTrend TV if you can get it) - https://www.hotrod.com/articles/camshaft-shootout-lobe-separation-angle-tested-explained/

 

[kekoa achong]

Advantage of locking the cams is that it's easier to tune - one less thing to deal with - and for drag racing you're not worried about part-throttle drivability. Disadvantage is losing the ability to use camshaft phasing to dynamically change the separation angle between the intake and exhaust lobes - aka Lobe Separation Angle. At low rpm and part throttle (low torque demand), you can have the idle quality, mpg and emissions of high LSA, but phase the cams to a low LSA under high torque demand to get the better low-end torque and high-rpm cylinder filling. Read this article for a shootout of different LSA cams (there's also an episode of Engine Masters on MotorTrend TV if you can get it) - https://www.hotrod.com/articles/camshaft-shootout-lobe-separation-angle-tested-explained/

So why just the single cam theory? Is it cost or is there another advantage to it?

 

[Fabman]

Ditto, L&M Intake only cams. Nice broad torque curve.
Very usable power everywhere, not just a high peak number with limited use.
Very happy with mine.
As far as it being "Intake only" Shaun said the exhaust cams were plenty big enough so no point in changing them.
Again, these are not setup for a very high peak # they are setup to be used at all RPM and do a darn good job of it.

 

[kekoa achong]

Is there a difference between locking the cams and limiting the phasers? If so what is the advantage of limiting the phasers and is that a good street idea?

 

[Fabman]

Is there a difference between locking the cams and limiting the phasers? If so what is the advantage of limiting the phasers and is that a good street idea?

Locking is just a more severe version of limiting cams/phasers. Usually done when the cams are large enough that piston to valve clearance is compromised so they don't want the cams moving around.
Bigger cams that need locking/limiting also need bigger valve springs which add heat, stress and parasitic drag to the motor. All reasons Shaun doesn't like them. He gets very very good power out of the smaller cams and reatains full flexibility to use the VCT to its potential.

 

[Mad Hatter]

Totally agree. I think the LM cams, long tube headers and a AED tune are among the most beneficial add-ons to the Coyote. Those three things will get you 500HP to the flywheel. Not half bad!!!

 

[Coz]

Definitely the L&M cams. I would also recommend the 2018+ intake manifold while you're at it.

If you ever intend to take it to the track or you will run it up to the rev limiter, then I also recommend billet oil pump gears and crank sprocket. While you're in there...