Are you looking for the best cam for a 4.6 Mustang? You’re in the right place.
An iconic car with a rich heritage, Mustangs are known for their power. The 4.6 Mustang is fitted with a V8 4.6-liter engine between 215 to 390 horsepower, depending upon the model.
A replaced camshaft gives you the power bursts you desire, as it controls valves that determine the combustion rate in the car. These exceptional peak power gains come with a trade-off in low-speed, and midrange power reduced mileage.
With the right camshaft in place, a 4.6 Mustang is sure to bolt like a Mustang horse.
Below we’ve reviewed the eight best cams for a 4.6 Mustang. So, go ahead and take a bite of our camshaft reviews and our recommendation.
Best Cams for 4.6 Mustang – Comparison Table
| Image | Model | Years | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| DNJ CAM4173R Camshaft (Top Pick) | 2005-2012 | Check Price |
 | COMP Cams 102600 Camshaft (Top Pick for Older Models) | 1996-2005 | Check Price |
 | AKWN 5L1Z6250E Camshaft | 2005-2010 | Check Price |
 | GELUOXI 5L1Z-6250-AA Camshaft | 2005-2010 | Check Price |
 | DNJ CAM4173L Camshaft | 2005-2010 | Check Price |
 | COMP Cams 127020 Camshaft | 2005-2010 | Check Price |
 | COMP Cams 102200 Camshaft | 1996-2007 | Check Price |
 | COMP Cams 127300 Camshaft | 2005-2010 | Check Price |
1. DNJ CAM4173R Camshaft (Editor’s Choice)
DNJ CAM4173R is the best cam for a 4.6 Mustang available on the market.
This camshaft is manufactured by the DNJ (Domestic & Japanese Engine) and is a top contestant to the OEM fitted camshaft. This model is the right side (passenger side) camshaft.
Features
This is a very popular camshaft for 4.6 Mustang V8 engines. It is designed to provide reliable sealing performance and protect the camshaft and engine parts from contamination. It is sourced from ISO-certified manufacturers and meets or exceeds the highest OE quality standards.
Pros
- Easy to install
- It comes with a limited 12-month or 12000-mile warranty against manufacturing defects.
- Designed to provide OE-style fit and performance
Cons
- No negative point about the product found yet.
When it comes to camshafts, the DNJ CAM4173R is considered one of the best. It is calibrated and designed for high power performance.
2. Comp Cams 102600 Camshaft (Top Pick for Older Models)
This product is an Xtreme Energy series delivering high throttle response and maximum horsepower using the lobe design camshafts. It is not advisable to use the stock valve train components due to the aggressive lobe designs in this product.
Features
It’s a hydraulic roller follower cam with a basic operating range of 1800-5800 RPM. The cam has a 113-degree lobe separation.
The lobe designs allow faster opening lobe profiles.
This produces increased responsiveness and more area under the lift curve (up to 0.050” lift) while producing an increased engine vacuum. With a higher vacuum, the performance is enriched, and this helps with the power brakes too.
It needs a lower gear ratio. After achieving an RPM of 2000+, the engine may stall. The vehicle may require some tuning for intake and exhaust.
You will notice the difference when the engine is idling.
Pros
- It has an excellent choppy sound.
- Noticeable idle
- Easy to install
Cons
- Requires aftermarket valve springs or retainers
- Wears out quicker
- Has lower piston valve clearance
This is a peak power provider camshaft that trades off durability and longevity. You may need to visit a professional/shop for the replacement.
3. AKWN 5L1Z6250E Camshaft
This is a Chinese-manufactured camshaft produced by AKWN, and it is manufactured with 24 pieces of lifters. With a higher number of lifters, the performance of this camshaft increases drastically. The rocker arms are compatible with most vehicles, especially with a 4.6 Mustang.
Feature
This product is designed with attention to detail by experienced engineering staff. It ensures quality and superior dependability. This camshaft is expected to deliver reliable operations and hassle-free services.
Pros
- Fair performance
- Come with two years warranty.
Cons
- Available in pairs only (both L+R) as a single buy.
- Tuning required
- Poor customer service
While the camshaft itself seems fair, a professional installation is recommended. For the DIY enthusiasts, the packaging does not include any instructions to install.
4. GELUOXI 5L1Z-6250-AA Camshaft
This camshaft is engineered for enhanced durability and offers a 90-day warranty by its manufacturers GELUOXI. The model is for the driver-side camshaft. This is a camshaft for street performance with a medium idle.
Features
This camshaft offered by GELUOXI is affordable, reliable, and built to last. The best part is that it is available either as a pair (for both sides) or individually (left or right).
Pros
- Quality equivalent to an OEM
- Sold as a pair or individually
Cons
- Wear and tear are much higher than OEM.
- No instructions included in the packaging
With a professional installation recommended, your budget may stretch beyond what you have planned.
5. DNJ CAM4173L Camshaft
This camshaft is manufactured by the DNJ (Domestic & Japanese Engine) and is a top contestant to OEM fitted camshafts. The model is the left side (passenger side) camshaft.
Features
This is a very popular camshaft for 4.6 Mustang V8 engines. It is designed to provide reliable sealing performance and protect the camshaft and engine parts from contamination. It is sourced from ISO-certified manufacturers and meets or exceeds the highest OE quality standards.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Sold individually
- Offers limited 12-month/12000-mile warranty against manufacturing defects.
Cons
- None
When it comes to camshafts, the DNJ CAM4173L is considered one of the best. It is calibrated and designed for high power performance.
6. Comp Cams 127020 Camshaft
This product from Comp Cams produces a very rough and distinctive exhaust note. It provides high amounts of horsepower and torque. Its leading-edge hydraulic rollers provide significant power. This product from Comp Cams is sold in pairs and is readily available.
Features
This is a hydraulic roller camshaft with a basic operating RPM range of 750 to 6600. It fires-up right from the start of the vehicle. There is no need to wait for a few minutes, unlike other camshafts.
Pros
- Produces powerful sound when the engine is fired-up
- It offers a rugged idle
- Compatible with stock valve springs
Cons
- A cam chaser will need to be added.
- Fine-tuning is a must after replacing the cam.
- It would be best if you replaced the lash adjusters and cam roller followers.
This camshaft gives you a unique power-packed performance with a powerful noise that makes heads turn at every corner.
7. Comp Cams 102200 Camshaft
It’s a 13.32 pounds camshaft manufactured by Comp Cams with powerful energy, mild street performance, good torque, and power with a humming idle. They are available in dual packing or a solo piece.
Features
The basic operating range of the cam is 1600 to 5600 RPM. The camshaft has quicker opening lobe profiles giving you more vacuum, increasing your vehicle’s dynamic performance. It has increased responsiveness and horsepower, something that car experts demand.
Pros
- Excellent performance in the street carbureted applications
- It offers a bigger cam giving a powerful and tough exhaust note.
- It offers a wide torque curve.
- Excellent on lower gear ratios
- Deliver excellent horsepower gains
- Increased horsepower
Cons
- Requires custom tuning
- You may need a different valve spring, valve retainers, and new cam gears, not included in the box.
This is the camshaft to buy if you are considering powerful performance with mild idling.
8. Comp Cams 127300 Camshaft
This is a perfect street camshaft with a noticeable idle. These Comp Cams Xtreme fuel-injected camshafts are designed for late model applications.
Features
It’s a hydraulic roller-style cam. This camshaft’s performance is excellent with a basic operating RPM of 950 to 6400 with excellent power gains above 4600 RPM. This allows the vehicle to have a better mileage by faster-opening various ramp profiles.
Pros
- It offers a noticeable idle
- Power-packed performance (>4600 rpm)
- Works with tuners
Cons
- Requires a valve spring upgrade
- Custom tuning is strongly recommended.
- California Residents: Proposition 65 Warning
Though this cam indeed sounds like an ideal power buster, you have a valve spring upgrade and custom tuning to follow-up on the replacement. Sounds like a lot of work.
How to Pick the Best cam for a 4.6 Mustang?
Now that you have read the reviews of the eight best cams available in the market, it’s time to understand how to pick the best cam for a 4.6 Mustang.
The primary purpose of replacing a camshaft is to increase engine power and performance. Choosing a camshaft from the aftermarket cam could be overwhelming if you are not an auto expert. There are plenty of things to consider for the ‘right’ camshaft. These range from the engine’s compression ratio, rpm of the engine, types, number of cylinder heads, exhaust system of the car, the fuel delivery system, lift & duration of the camshaft, etc.
Factors to Choose the Best Cam for a 4.6 Mustang
There are numerous camshafts available in the aftermarket business. Choosing a perfect camshaft can be a tedious process and can become a strike or miss since this is a one-time investment.
To ensure that your investment in a camshaft gives you results, we have listed below few things to keep in mind while selecting the right camshaft for your 4.6 Mustang car:
- RPM (Revolutions per minute): The engine’s rpm range determines where the engine performs best. When selecting a camshaft, you must ensure that the other parts of the engine’s rpm and that of the camshaft you are selecting are matching. Else one part of the engine is going to outperform the other, and the engine can malfunction.
- Lift: Lift is the distance that the valve is lifted off from its base. It is numeric in value and is measured in 1/1000th of an inch. It tells you how tall the cam lobes are and if they will match the working of the piston and other parts of the engine.
- Duration: This is the duration of time for which the valve is open and away from its closed position. The duration indicates to you how big or wide the cam lobes are. When a car mechanic refers to ‘a bigger cam’, it is not about the size, but they are talking about the cam’s duration.
- Model details: These details, if not reviewed carefully, can land-you having a set of camshafts that are going to pile-up in your attic and emptying your pocket. Have all the correct information from the vehicle’s service booklet handy before you order. You shouldn’t waste efforts, time, and money while purchasing the incorrect ones.
- One or Both: If this is the first time you are replacing the OEM camshafts, always replace both of them. This is because they work in synchronization, and the air intake and outflow will be in sync between both, resulting in a higher and power-packed performance.
If you have replaced the OEM camshafts earlier and now one of them needs to be replaced, go ahead and change only one. The primary need is for both the camshafts to match their performances to give you rhythmic power bursts.
- DIY or Shop: Unless you are an expert, a DIY could get challenging. This is advanced engine work, and you cannot risk it. There are the following two reasons that compel getting professional help:
- The job’s complexity: To replace camshafts, you may need to remove the entire engine, especially in the Overhead Valve (OHV) type engines. If you have an Overhead Camshaft (OHC) engine, you have easy access to the camshafts.
- Timing: The camshafts must be adequately ‘timed,’ or you run the risk of damaging the engine.
When Is It Time to Replace Your Cam for a 4.6 Mustang?
Most 4.6 Mustang enthusiasts replace cams as soon as they hear or rather feel the engine, the car’s power, or have experienced the torque.
While a physical inspection of the camshaft is essential, the priority is to change any camshaft with physical damage (cracked, broken, sheared gears).
Now you must be thinking that how will you, as a novice, come to know that there is physical damage, right? Below are some frequent symptoms encountered by drivers when a camshaft may need to be changed.
Remember that this list is not exhaustive, and you could have other red flags to watch out for too. It is advised to attend to them immediately to keep your vehicle-optimized for a safe and hassle-free drive!
- Dashboard Engine Light Flashing: The camshaft sensors send messages to the Engine Control Unit (ECU), like the brain in our head, signaling the driver to pause and check the engine.
- Reduction in Overall Performance: If you notice sluggish acceleration, or a stalling engine, or a noticeable drop in engine power, your vehicle’s performance is dropping. Since cams are the primary controllers of the intake and exhaust of air to manage fuel combustion, it’s fair to assume that their failure or decreased performance might have an overall impact on the car’s performance.
- Engine not Starting: The car engine tends to fail if it does not get the required combustion of fuel and air provided by the cam. If you have not acted earlier, the car engine may stall on you, leaving you on the road. The camshaft sensors will fail eventually, and the car will not start.
Wrap-Up: The Best Cam for a 4.6 Mustang
A camshaft is a critical component that affects the vehicle’s performance. So, it is highly recommended that you buy a product that suits your model’s requirements.
The winner from the above list of the best cam for a 4.6 Mustang is the DNJ CAM4173R Camshaft. The winning camshaft has all the features and advantages that an optimized cam should have.
It is easy to install with a user-friendly instruction manual, gives you a peak power performance combined with high torque, has a smooth and medium street performance, needs minimal additional spare parts, and has a warranty of 12 months 12000 miles offered by the manufacturer.
Remember that replacing a camshaft may give you better payback than you imagined. Happy and safe driving!