Im sending my pi heads out for a valve job.and im picking up a pi Intake manifold today. I plan on doing the swap this winter. What else do I need other than head and exhaust gaskets to piece everything together. Also I have a factory strut brace. Will I have any clearance issues with the pi intake. Or is it the same as far as dimension on top. I also plan on smoothing out the intake and exhaust passages on the heads. Any tips on technique or tools is greatly appreciated.

 

Also would 24 lb injectors, billet rails and a 160 t-stat be a good idea while it's apart.

 

You need new head bolts as well. The fuel rails and injectors will be fine no need to upgrade. Make sure you have the correct valve covers and gaskets for them. I suggest new timing cover gaskets as well. While you are at it some shorty headers woukd be an easy install if you plan on doin them at any point in time. Same with cams

 

Where are you sending your heads? How much for the work? They reccomend cam holders when you reassemble everything, but I did mine with out them. I did need a third hand to get it done tho. Bring number one cylinder to top dead center before your start the job.

 

Don't have any advice but keep us posted how much it costs I been debating for years on doing a pi swap on my 97

 

> Glenn. I'm taking to a local rebuild shop. 200 for a hot tank recut seats, new seals and replacement of one bent valve. I got the heads off frauds list for 100$. They are really clean too.

 

>97GT. I have about 200$ into it for the heads and intake. Another 200 for the head work. And about 180 into misc necessities. I haven't really shopped around much so if you really do the research you could probably cut that down a bit.

 

I'm not a mechanic, but my cousin is. If I do decide to do this i'm going to be more of an errand boy for him and be more of a helper than anything else... one thing for sure it will probably take a bit longer if i do this. Do you need an aftermarket tuner with the PI swap? Also can it still run on 87 octane fuel?

 

you will need a tune or timing adjuster for the 96-98 and PI heads. you compression will rise to 10:1. you need a few degrees of timing pulled. a cooler thermostat and a tune to adjust for it is good also. you will make more power than a 99-04 because of the compression. you'll have to use 93 octane gas.


all clearances are the same. the heads do matter. windsor heads have different cam cover pattern. no need for 24lb injectors though.

 

I'm starting to think that buying a 96-98 Cobra would be the easier route

Who wants a loaded 97 GT with 98k on it?

 

Should I go somewhere nag get it custom tuned or can I handheld flash it.