Higher pressure valve springs simply do one thing. Eliminate valve float. That is at higher RPM's they keep the valve train in contact with the camshaft. Valve float causes valvetrain havic. It's true if the float is real bad the valve may contact the piston, hence broken parts and pieces. Valve float can also break valve springs, rockers, push rods, and destroy valve seats. All a cam does is modify how fast the valve opens and how long the valve stays open. This one basic concept allows more fuel/air in and more exhaust out. Pretty simple, right? Wrong, it is complicated. Good enough explanation for ya?

 

Ok so do I need to do both cam and springs or will springs be good enough??

 

You will gain only a possible higher RPM limit with only the springs. Don M will know more or lmills but that is just what I would expect. The best thing to do is install the springs, cam, and do a valve job at the same time. You can get by without doing the valve job but you may have problems in the future, possibly. Really depends on what shape the head is in. So, installing just springs will give you a safer RPM limit but it will not gain you any HP.

 

Quick question. How hard is the cam installation for a first timer?

 

Man it never ends...

FIrst bigger turbo, next twins, then smarty now TNT smarty, Fuel, AIr, Bigger cp3 sticks, bigger sticks, cam, springs, studs, ........ oooh yeah Tranny!!!





I LOVE THIS SPORT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Justin, I will pick cquestad's brain a little more I know he practically tore his truck down to the block... Hopefeully Lloyd will chime in also!!!

Thanks fellas!!

 

i would not try the cam install on your own if you have never done one my boys charge 1300 to have it done and to be honest its way to much work i wont do it at all and they hate to do them. there was an artical in diesel mag about a cam swap not for me.

 

If all you want to do is be able to run the Smarty 4k rpm tune, all you need is springs. Changing the cam is a huge job or very expensive to pay the labor.

 

Not sure if this was a general statement, or specific to the 5.9 cummins cams available. I don't know anything about the cams available for these trucks because I have not researched it, but in general terms a cam usually, not always, but usually also increases the depth the valve opens as well.

 

If you look at my dyno graphs you will see what a cam does. The long smooth power band. Although we only usually see a 20hp peak increase from a cam for a 3rd gen, the power curve is longer and smoother. Which help spool, egts and mileage. The springs are needed over 3200rpm. 24v factory springs are marginal at best over 550hp. Valve float can cause serious problems at high rpm / boost conditions. As was noted before springs minimize valve float, if you gain power from springs it is because your factory springs were not doing their job . We charge $700 to install a cam in a 3rd gen and $250 more to install springs at the same time. Most guys who are mechanics with a good ***. of tools can install a cam, just take your time and double check yourself at each step. If you get stuck give us a call and I will walk you through it. Tim

 

Not to change the subject but it should also be noted that all aftermarket cams are NOT created equal (i.e.regrinds).

 

I'm assuming F1 cam, springs are top notch....

Tim thanks for all your help and pm... along with everyone else's insight...

Shane

 

Hey Tim,
Do your guys use wood dowels to hold the lifters up out of the way? Just curious how you take care of that problem. To me that is the hardest part. Of coarse the whole front of the engine has to be removed along with CAC, radiator, and such. Is there a tool to compress the springs to remove the keepers for the valves while still in the truck?

 

If I remember correctly Cquestad used wood dowels I will see if I can find that thread...

 

I have seen it done that way once before. Myself, I am not to keen on the idea in case a piece of wood fell off into the lifter. Would hope there is a tool to do it with. I am sure if you did it a good bit for a living you have all the shortcut tools.

 

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