I'm sure as with any shop, they are going to recommend gears. Not sure if you've done that or not. And that's exactly what most people mean about drive-ability. The little hiccups, and surges at low RPM. Makes driving the car everyday kind of unpleasant.

I just talked to Brenspeed about cams. Answered a lot of my questions. My decision is DR's. I just can't see another 600 bucks for springs and retainers. Plus I believe you need phase limiters. Then installing 24 springs....that can't be cheap. If I had to guess, you'd be in the $2K ballpark all said and done.

 

True...cam's don't require a lower gear, but for drivability purposes it is recommended you swap gear before the cam. Logical order from my perspective:
Cai/tune
gear
exhaust
cam
torque converter
IDK baker the more I think about it, I just wanna say flick it and bypass the cam and exhaust and go straight to a saleen sc'er. Like you, I want that sound but the expense involved with the cam's is starting to be overshadowed by the POWER increase the supercharger would produce (bang for buck wise)...and it too has a plesant old-school sound

 

I've heard a gear swap is recommended as you guys have pointed out. I'm going to be swapping 4.10s at the same time. Looking like i'll most likely go with NSR depending on the install costs, which I'm glad that 68 pointed out. Knew it'd be more but $1000 for the install? that's a lot! Mayo, that's the order I've been looking to follow as I'm looking to install everything but the torque converter if at all possible (LTs/cams/gears all in one purchase ) Going to have to COMPLETELY relearn how to drive my car and I'm looking forward to it.

 

It's gonna be badass when you get it done. The gears will wake it up a lot. Prepare to spend more in fuel. Not that it will be much worse in a running aspect, but you'll have your foot in it a lot more often

I'm trying to decide if I want to do my own cams or have them done. The only thing I'm tossing around is the price of the tools. The cams themselves is an easy job from what I can see. About the easier cam install you'll come across. However, I can have them installed cheaper than I can buy the tools for!

 

The vacuum changes with cams. Daily driving with a bigger cam is more of a challenge in the low rpms. Ever notice the really fast cars with big cams at the track in the staging lanes at how they rev them pretty high just to move around? The way I understand it is they offer more power in the higher rpm range and can take away power in the lower rpms which is why you need better gearing. With my car even with 4.10 gears (auto) I noticed a lot of low end loss with Detroit rockers. It would not spin the tires from a dead stop and that really bothered me. Another thing to consider is that longtubes and cams make for a very LOUD vehicle.

 

Nukes quote in my sig shows how I feel about fuel! It's all about having the most fun with your 'stang. I'm with you on the install decision. I have thought of doing it myself but just can't justify it when it would cost so much either way.

That's exactly what I've been reading, I'm glad you're sharing your first hand experience. As for the decibel level...EXACTLY

 

If I remember correctly your car is pretty loud already yeah?

 

Yes sir...pype bombs

 

I was told 600 for a cam install and custom tune, 400 for the install and 200 for the tune. I said f that and did it myself and it was actually way easier than I thought, and you definitely do not need the spring compressor tool. I'd recommend the chain wedge, but I didn't use that either. Mine were the comp stage 2 NSR cams and they made the car louder and have some lope, but not like hot rods or detroit rockers.

Edit: and I have a hi flow catted x with shorty headers and magnapacks, it's loud haha

 

How is the drive? mpg? and would you recommend if the car was a daily(for a year longer)?