Aftermarket Cam?

[BWatson]

I've searched and have found some information on putting a cam in my truck and was dead set on doing it until a little while ago. Before, it sounded to me like everyone who has done one has been very happy with it. I talked to one guy and he said look again, there are a lot of guys not happy with them. Well I have searched and not found much on bad reports. So, what is the general conscensus about aftermarket cams on a 12-valve? What are the likes and dislikes. Here is what I know. .

Likes - more broad powerband, lower EGTs, quicker spool-up, slight hp gain

Dislikes - cost (parts & labor)



I have a horrible oil leak that I need to pull the timing case off to fix so I'll be pulling the cam anyway. Normally I would try to tackle this job myself but this is something I need to do very soon and time, right now, is not something I have a lot of so I'm thinking about just taking it to a shop and having them do everything.



What do y'all think? Cam it or don't cam it? Thanks in advance.

 

[Rman]

I have no experience with it but man I'd love to try. Cam work has always been a tremendous help with the gassers I've worked on. Anything factory can almost always be better so I see no reason why an aftermarket cam would be bad except for the above stated reasons. If the labor weren't so much I think about doing it as well.

 

[BWatson]

Anyone with any bad experience??????

 

[MCummings]

A cam is great. Although I don't have a cam in my 12V yet, I do have on in my 24V. Earlier spoolup, reduced smoke, and a smooth sounding motor.



If you drop a tappet in the motor,, you are darn near screwed. You will be lifting the motor out of it's mounts to remove the oil pan.



It's actually not hard to do. I recomend it. If you feel competent enough to R&R a head, then a cam is no problem. You will need a "special" tool to "catch" the tappets. You will also have to hold all 12 tappets up while you slide the cam out. You MUST replace the tappets with the cam. The tappets have a special machined face on them which break into the specific cam lobe, and rotate everytime the tappet is lifted. (This slows down wear).



I would say do it if you are allready there. You can get a cam for $600-$700 + Core. That 's the same price as injectors, or tuning the pump.



I haven't heard any downsides from a cam, besides you can have faster tappet wear from the faster ramp rate of the aftermarket cams.



I give the cam two thumbs up.





Merrick