So I was down at the local diesel shop a few weeks ago talking with the mechanic. He said that most after market cams are designed similary to a first gen cam, specifically a non intercooled first gen cam. Any truth to this? I'm trying to piece together another engine and it seems like first gen engines go cheaper than others, so if it has a better cam, too, then that is great!

 

If I may add to this; Regarding the 1st Gen cam, some might suggest a 2nd Gen cam is a better bang-for-the-buck than a high-dollar aftermarket in the 1st Gen. I may also have that backwards. I dunno.

 

Dont know what you plan on doing with the thing but PDR told me that a 1st gen cam will let go at about 4100rpm, dont know if thats any less than a 2nd gen cam.

 

Personally, I'm stuck with the old-school gasser dictionary when it comes to A cam.

It seems most aftermarket cam users (Hardcore dragsters excluded), report lower EGT's by 100*F or better, a broader, less spiky power band, and the turbo spools earlier.

I don't know that I've ever seen any actual grind plots (RE: lift, effective duration @ 0.50" lift, lobe separation, etc).

Let me look in the FSM . . . . . .. nothing.

 

Everyone is very tight with the cam specs. The 1st gen cam is better on the exhaust side than the 2nd gen cam, or so I've heard. An aftermarket cam would still be an upgrade, though.

 

Thanks for the info. I guess it doesn't really matter what year engine I get then, as long as it has the smaller injector bores. Picked up another P pump off a 98 auto (with a 53 block) that has a cummins reman sticker on it along with an HX35W and 12 housing and blown up 5.9 shortblock (going to take off the trans adaptor so I can use a lockup tranny and the timing case/stuff so I can P pump an early motor) today for $325! Gonna auction off the crank and other junk on ebay to recoupe some of the money. Down side is now I have more P pumps than VE pumps!

 

I now have a 98 12 valve cam in mine, I see a big different's in hp but for the most part it make's more torque . The 5.9 makes it's torque though the cam, yes the 2nd cam makes heat faster. A good flowing turbo will take care of that But I love having that twisting power out of the hole or when hooked to a load.

 

You beat me to it! I was second in line on that short block and pump!