Well guys I'm going to order my cam next week and need some final opinions on what one to get. My thoughts at this point are to go with the PDR one mainly from a price point (Very close to half the cost after landing) but if there was substantiated evidence that the Helix was that much better of a performer I would buck up the extra money for it. To me it seems that they are like comparing apples to apples, I mean both are new cams with lifter's and no one seems to want to publish specs so?????Any chance someone has tried both and wants to comment on the differences? Thx

 

I just got through changing from a PDR stage 1 to a Helix 2. Both work well, but are a bit different. The PDR started pulling a bit sooner, The helix 2 feels a bit stronger on top. I still have my old PDR cam, it has about 30k miles. Kind of an odd ball though. 12valve grind for a p-pump converted motor. Has lobe for mechanical lift pump.

 

Thanks for the info Ron, the cam Harry mentioned was some new design deal but I have no idea on whats new or old so... Did you notice any difference in smoke levels? Would you mind telling me what was your motivation to switch was, more power or? I would hate to do it over or feel the work and money for the cam I picked wasn't worth while.

 

I wanted a bolt on gear.

Ron

 

Is the PDR cam a regrind or is it ground from fresh stock?

 

I think that is the difference in price. H-2 is not a regrind.. PDR's Cam is. Been told this fact but no first hand knowledge. IF true, that's a significant difference, IMO.

RJ

 

PDR has both listed on their web-site, about a $130 difference between regrind and new blank.

I believe John_P had a Piers regrind in his 02 which ran very well.

 

Yes PDR has both new and regrinds, your choice. IIRC Harry mentioned something about a bolt on gear but??? And yes I was looking at a new one. The new one comes with new lifters and you dont need to supply a core. Not that it would matter, once I pull the stocker out it wont do me any good to just to sit on the bench as I already have a P-pump thats heavier for a paper weight on it LOL

 

Might want to PM PourinDiesel- he went from a Schied cam to a H2.

bradnon.

 

www.powerbypoole.com
is giving a helix 2 away.... !

 

I know that PDR changed its cam specs last year. I put was the guy to run it in a 2 gen. It idle nicer than stock and pulls hard till red line. If I wasn't so far away I would take you for a spin. Mine came with the lifters. It works well with the ported head. I drove the truck last week in Thunder Bay, almost sea level. Man it the twins spooled fast. It was like running nos and the excessive smoke was almost gone when I passed someone. I wouldn't think twice about putting the cam into another truck.

 

I would go with the Helix 2.

I went from a Scheid street cam which was a regrind to a brand new Helix 2 with bolt on gear.

The Helix 2 is much more aggressive and low end grunt is increased along with much increased flow up top. I wouldnt hesitate to go with a Helix again.

 

Thanks for the replies guys, your input is greatly appreciated. I have decided to hold off on ordering until after Xmas just to do some more research and talk to a couple of other people on the list as well. Anyone else with experience on these cams please feel free to jump in. Who's had a pressed on gear cam fail anyway, I don't remember reading any posts of this happening? I know Piers broke one years ago but IIRC he was really working at it.

 

Unfortunantly, there have been many broken press-on style cams. Some gears have been found partially off the nose and not broken. Some gears had slipped off enough to break the nose or more of the cam and some have taken out complete engines when they broke.

It is rarely talked about on the forums, but there have been more than 4 that broke not only the cam, but took other stuff with it that I know about. I know of at least a dozen gears that had began to walk off the nose.

These were all a result of the high rack travel P pump drive power and helical cut gears working together to move the cam gear..

CR and VP44 engines can get away with a press on in most cases. No nitrous, etc.

Don~

 

Having a p-pump conversion and a bit of rack travel I was concerned about the gear walking off. There have been a couple of issues here in the west. There is a well known hp junkie that had this happen also. I swapped just because of the bolt on gear. I got a bit more performance in the deal as icing on the cake. Don solved my injector problems the first try. I didn't even shop when it came time for the new cam. $700-800 now, or $6-8k later was a no brainer.