What are the driving characteristics of the cam? Does it rev faster and more freely as opposed to really having to lay into the throttle?

 

I think so.

 

That would be fantastic! From what I have read I should get the bolt-on version as opposed to the press on version like I have with the ATS cam, correct? I will have them do the cams after New years when I get the lift kit put on.

 

You might want to check with Don M. He has recommended dealers that can do the work for the Helix series cams.

Yeah the bolt on is nice.

 

I have a question, and it might sound a little dumb. I am a little confused about cams. I know a considerable amount about gassers, but I dont know how the different configurations work with a diesel. Such as, with a gasser, if you increase lift and duration it will really help high rpms, does it work the same on a diesel?

Thanks

Kevin

 

On our trucks the computer fuels off of boost. So the cam helps get the airflow going sooner and at lower rpms = ECM fueling earlier. In terms of SOP this equates to more "luggability" and less downshifting in the lower rpms. At least this is what I noticed on my truck. Don't know about top end rpm since I only take my truck up to 3200 or so.

 

I am not sure that you would notice any power increases from the towing cam to the Helix 2, but you would probably see a benefit in EGT reduction with the fueling level you are at. Not sure if it would be worth the cost of another cam + the 10-12 hours labor for the install though...at least not to us mere mortals

 

I dont know anything about the ATS cam so I cant compare.

The Helix 2 was designed for turbo spool and EGT/SMOKE reduction but we ended up with an average 20HP increase over the stock cam as a side benefit. This 20HP only applies to the 04.5 and up engines.

Mileage increases go up for many users as well. Most of them seem to be on less modified trucks though.

A stock truck using a Helix 2 can build boost sitting on the driveway in neutral. As much as 19 PSI !!!!!!!!!!

There is lift and duration added to both intake and exhaut sides although Diesel cam design is nothing like a gasser. They share pratically nothing in the terms of what works and what doesnt.

The Cummins ISB valvetrain is the single highest wearing parts in the engine. So high in fact that Cummins spends countless hours on oil testing programs to insure the long life of it. The Helix lobes are the hardest in the biz for this very reason. I recently got a Helix back that was run in an engine that experienced very high oil temps. It was beat up pretty bad, but survived the ordeal better than a stock cam or certainly better than a regrind would have.
There was evidence the tappets were wearing at the same rates and the lobes. LOL. Basically unheard of in this application.

The Helix is a low reversion design and you wont find your intake manifold or cylinder head filled with soot like you will on other designs I have seen in the past.

 

Is the cam what will effectively raise my RPM limit to 4,000 or are there other mods I will need to make ?

 

So is it rally 10 to 12 hours to change a cam? And how expensive are cams?

Kevin

 

Cams are probably $800 shipped and I don't think it's 10-12 hours. If I remember correctly, the dealership had mine on in 3-4 hours.

 

A cam can take anywhere from an afternoon to a weekend. Its not one of those things you just rate by hour (especially if you have never done one yourself).

 

Most shops will charge 10-12 hours to install a cam. That is why they are not a really common upgrade. If you can do it yourself and save yourself the labor, the cam is actually pretty reasonable. It is not too hard of an install if you don't have to replace the tappets.

 

I have 53k on my 03 HO. At what point do I need to change the tappets? I have heard they are a bear, but don't really know.

 

That is a very good question? I am interested in knowing this too, this is starting to sound like something that I would like to do on my truck. I have 107k kilometers on my truck (about 70k miles)

Kevin