csramsey640

I just wonder why no one really gets into Cam swaps with these engines? I see Piers sells them, and I see some big big #'s with the stocker, so when would an upgrade cam be needed, and or would it have any benefits like a gasser cam would?

Underpsi

I think the reason most of us don't do a cam swap is because its alot of work and alot of money. There is a benefit though, better spool up and lower egts. Not sure if it helps hp much tho.

loch

If you were rebuilding it be a nice add on, but for the money theres a lot more bang for the buck.

bgilbert

Now the title of this thread is just toooooo close to something dirty ..

wannadiesel

I'm seriously entertaining a Helix 2 install instead of a bigger turbo. The Helix cams are ground from a new blank, not a regrind, so the profile can be a lot different than stock. The price and the install are quite intimidating, though.

Everybody is very secretive about their cam specs. I do know that lift on a stocker is pathetically low, and that is the big improvement on a regrind. Claimed benefits for a cam install are: quicker spoolup, lower EGT, better fuel economy, and of course more power. http://www.performancedieselwarehouse.com/850875.html Special valvesprings are also needed for the H2, the Cummins 60# set is not strong enough - and I'd imagine there might be some issues with coil bind since Cummins never thought the valves would be opening this far.

bgilbert

Dave I keep looking back at what KTA has done with his stock bottom end and cam. I think he's got less in his truck dollar wise than what that Helix cam costs . I have the opinion that cam= gasser mentality. I'd spend the money on a turbo before the cam, jmo.

wannadiesel

I think there's more than one way to skin the cat, though. We can flow more air by putting bigger/more turbo(s) on to cram it through the stock restrictions, or we can help the little turbo out by freeing the flow up some and giving it some more time to shove the air in.

Riding in Vinny's truck with the PDR cam really impressed on me what a cam can do for a single turbo truck. That thing pulls as hard as mine, but EGT is 300+ degrees lower, and his PDR-35/16 spools quicker than my turbo. It was an eye-opening experience.

There's no doubt that a good twin setup is very effective on an otherwise stock long block- but not everybody has the fab skills to build one on a budget. I am not much of a fabricator, but I'm a pretty good parts changer.

fast 5.9

PDR has new cams, as well as regrinds. You are correct, in there is only so far one can go with a regrind of a stocker, after that you need to start with a blank and do your grinding from there. One thing you might want to know, the factory 1st gen cam is better than the 2nd & 3rd gen grinds.

wannadiesel

Thanks for the info, Harry. You're probably very familiar with the engine in Vinny's truck, it used to be Nascar Mark's.

signature600

A little different truck, but I'm planning on a Helix 2 as soon as F1 can get some "other" items ready too! Between Don's head and cam, I should be good to go

I really don't care how much power I make...but I should be well over 500, a BUNCH of torque, sub-nuclear EGT's (which I've never had) and a good running towing truck

The only thing that bothers me is a tired engine
Chris

QIK2D

i read this somewhere else, maybe not even on this board. its seems that deisel guys believe gas mods don't work on oil burners. hmm, lets see, we change timing, put bigger injectors, port heads and manifolds, etc. why is a cam change any different?
air in, air out.. we're all working on air pumps driven by fuel. seems to me you make more power by making them more efficient.

BC847

Along the same lines, has anyone seen any rocker arms of a different ratio?

bgilbert

Gasser trash!!!!

Bushy

FWIW and, if I recall correctly.....Piers has told me on occasion that the 1st Gen engine actually breaths fairly well on the exhaust side, in fact better than all the later models do....I guess that translates to a bit more lift on the cams' exhaust lobes...it's the intake that really needs help.
When PDR designed and R&D'd their cams they went with the idea that improving spooling, and EGT reduction were near the top of the "goal" list.

You will see better breathing, in and out, in addition to lower EGT'swith the modified cams..
You can go with a regrind or a new one from billet, they do both.

pb...