Morning all I'm replacing the motor in my 97 and while the new motor is sitting on the floor I thought what better time than to install a cam. This truck is my daily driver the mods are in my sig. What I would like to know is what cam would be best my application I do not want a drag truck but rather one that will be reliable and pull very well and have the speed when needed. What have you guys experienced after installing improved cams did they lower your EGT's? Have you experienced reliability problems??? What were your HP gains?

Any help would be greatly appreciated I've never researched doing cam mods because I never expected to have my motor out and didnt want to go throught the hassle of doing it in the truck.

 

A Helix 2 will lower EGTS and increase spool-up a little on the 24 valve trucks. Not sure if the same benefits apply on a 12 valve.

 

Heck the more I think about doing somthing like this the more I decide that it's not worth it based soley on what I have read that is. But since the engine is out now is the best time for sure. If it were me I would put the money on somthing else though. What are your goals? If it's big power your after then the cam will be a nice addition.......

 

IMO a Helix cam is a very desirable upgrade - it's not just for making big power, since it increases the CTD's volumetric efficiency - giving faster throttle response and better fuel economy.

The biggest downside (after you empty your wallet) is the PITA install... if the engine was out, or torn down already - I wouldn't think twice about swapping it!

 

I guess the jury is still out for me when it comes to cams and a diesel. For me to do all that work there would have to be a great power increase. Like going from a flat tappet to a solid roller on a gasser............

 

After talking with Harry at Peak diesel I think I will go ahead and install a ground cam with a bolt on gear due to the fact that pumps turned up the way mine is have a tendancy to walk the cam gear possibly causing bigger problems. Not to mention the fact that it should lower egts around 100* and allow for more torque on the bottom end and faster spoolup. Any thoughts???

 

With a helix 2 on a 24 valve I have seen lower egts and hp and torque coming in 2-300 rpms sooner. It also allowed for the ultimate fuel system solution for a 24v. Same truck, same dyno, the difference being the cam, springs, and fuel system: 1 hp increase!

A cam doesn't make power, but if you've got the fuel it might help burn more of it.

 

Disclaimer:
I don't want to start a cam flame war!







..... now, IMO - though any aftermarket cam is probably better than the stocker - I would NOT use a ground cam, but rather a new billet.

Those of you who know the difference, understand... those who don't - wouldn't.

 

At what point does the fuel pump become so hard to turn that it makes it hard on the cam??? How much would I have to defuel my pump to not need the cam at all? The main reason for installing a cam for me is the fear of walking the cam gear and causing major damage. How likely is this on a 500HP daily driver? I have no intentions of going to the track or sled pulling my truck I just want to have useable HP at my disposal.

Edit: My truck has more than enough power for me now I just want reliability to go along with it. So I'm not on a quest for 800HP I just want to safely maintain what I already have.

 

i will agree

 

The reason I was looking at the ground cam is that Harry and Piers are both running one and when compared to the Helix 2 they performed a little better on the bottom end while the helix was slightly stronger and smoother above 3 grand I have no need to be above three grand feeding cows or commuting. I could however use some help on the bottom when pulling. The ground cam in question has a 7" long bolt that extends past the first lobe that would more than likely be the one to have problems. As well as a bolt on gear.

 

If you weren't going to a 13m P pump I would think Cam gear wallkoff wouldn't be a problem to worry about, not saying it couldn't happen just not likely.

 

It's not just the pump load, though turning a P-pump is a huge load on any cam.

It's also the RPM involved. Higher RPM increases cam gear walk issues considerably.


jmo

 

Thank you for your replys I dont plan to be above 3 grand very often. But since the thing is sitting on the floor I think I will go ahead and change it out.

 

you can also get a Helix2 with a bolt on cam gear. Just another option. I really don't have an opinion on billet vs. ground cams as I have no experience with either one yet. But I'd say if you have the engine out already, nows the time to do it.