any cam replacement updates??

[AMcCormick]

I've been researching this for a while now and am curious if any one has any long term feedback. I am planning on keeping this truck for a long time. I would love to get quicker spool up and bit better mpg.

 

[jelag]

I don't know where your at... . but if emission tests continue to get more intense on diesel engines, the computer would not be able to keep the emissions in check... . which in the long run might result in failure at a test station like some of the cars have seen over the years...

If my memory is correct, you can't buy a cam for a car in CA unless its approved for on the road use... . which means it has to be emission compliant... thus its useless... so to speak...

I'd to put a cam in... or do a Cat delete only to find next year, or the following year I'd have to backwards... .

 

[Tinman]

I like my PDR cam a lot. I was disappointed at the mileage gain, only about . 5 to, maybe, 1 mpg. But it spools quicker, cleaned up the Smarty smoke a good bit, engine is much quieter and smoother, and no more auto egr. Overall, a nice up grade. Was it worth it? For the cost, yes. For the time and labor, only if you are a perfectionist and need to know your engine is running at optimum. I got more mileage increase from advancing the timing and the Dyantrac hubs. Glad I did it, but if it weren't for the auto egr, the performance gains really can't justify it for a street truck. Yes, if they ever start doing true emissions sniff test, it won't pass on an otherwise stock truck. But I live in Ga. No worries about that. (You still don't have to wear a seat belt in a pickup in Ga). If they ever got that strict on emissions, I'd just show up with the Smarty in valet mode.

 

[Rams-n-Hogs]

With your mods, I don't think a cam will make much difference. I put a cam in mine when I was running a big charger and didn't notice any difference in spool up, or mpg. It might be helping now that I have twins, but I have no way to tell. I think they are probably more effective on the higher hp trucks.

 

[JGheen]

I would do it cuz the only emissions test they can perform is the opacity check to see how thick the smoke level is. As long as your mods don't bust out a huge plume of smoke or if you can keep your programmer on a low setting or go back to stock the cam will not have any effect on your SMOG stuff. Out here in Cali they are only doing the visual and snap-test/opacity check.

Not sure that is what info your looking for but I would look into F1 diesel and maybe go with one of Don's drop in billet cams or a basic H2 cam which does pretty much just about what your looking for, more spool speed and little better mileage as long as you keep you foot out of the fuel pedal. Other suppliers that could help would be Haisley Machine or Schied Diesel, both are in Indiana.





Joe

 

[Tejasdge]

... I live in Ga. No worries about that. (You still don't have to wear a seat belt in a pickup in Ga).

Just a heads up, they changed the seat belt law earlier this year, so now we are just like everyone else. Sure was nice around the deer lease and such. Otherwise I wear them all the time.

 

[Matt400]

I went with a new PDR (not regrind) about 50K ago. No troubles since then. One thing I don't like much is I think it contaminates my DOC with soot build up, not 100% on this evaluation but if I do light pedal driving for a long time and have to stab the throttle it puffs a huge black cloud which I don't like. After the cloud clears which looks like lots of unburned fuel being all black it won't do it again until I build some miles of light pedal driving.



My mileage is 19-20 unloaded and 14 towing so for a 7000 lb truck is not bad IMO. Not sure I would do it again though, I think a tighter converter would give me more of what I want.

 

[Tinman]

As far as smoke goes, my PDR lowered it a good bit. However, it still smokes some even at stock hp. I was surprised to see that but I think it has to do with the 3rd injection event. I believe getting rid of the internal egr lower smokes.



In regards to emissions, the only way a cam could be detected would be to sniff for NOx. I don't see that happening.

 

[ENafziger]

Whatever you choose to go with, be sure to ALWAYS add a good dose of ZDDP and use a CI+ rated oil if you can find it.

Across several manufacterers, there have been multiple complaints of lobe pitting when aftermarket cams have been pulled with low mileage on them.

--Eric

 

[AH64ID]

I have the Colt Stage 1, same grind as PDR and Hamilton 175/206. I really like it. Mileage gain is in the . 5ish range when towing, and I don't have enough empty miles to tell. .

But the extra air down low is nice, the turbo spools quicker to 20, 20-32 is about the same as stock, and now I hit 32-35 easier. Keep in mind that your moving a lot more air, so 20 psi of boost with the cam is a lot more air than 20psi of boost with the stock cam.

Two towing example. . Stock cam last year I did a leg at about 14. 5 GCW, very hilly 3K-6K, 65 mph drove easy Jr on SW1. 10. 7 mpg's. I did the same drive this year with the cam, an extra trailer and probably 16. 5K GCW at 70mph JR on SW2, got 10. 05 mpg. Thats not a big drop for a LOT more work being done. . I am sure the cam helped that out a bit.

 

[AMcCormick]

I just did an oil change and it was black as black can be. I use the Valvoline Premium Blue that is endorsed by Cummins. It would make me feel better if the oil stayed a little cleaner at least for a bit. My 03 stayed clean for a while. It seems that this is a pretty good upgrade across the board. runs cooler, less smoke, faster spool up, cleaner oil, and better mpg. I am in CA and have passed my smog check at least for this year. I love the Smarty

 

[AH64ID]

Yeah oil is black as the night on a 04. 5+ within 2 seconds. . just the nature of the beast.

 

[Regcabguy]

I was running the Smarty on the lower levels on my '07 5. 9. It's a little discouraging looking at black oil after 5 minutes,but my Blackstone oil report just came back great again. Due to lingering smoke issues,I'm back to stock for now. I just depress the pedal a bit more. We'll see what the next report comes up without Smarty.

 

[JamesStevens]

I put in a PDR 'quickspool' cam, but did twins and 60hp tips at the same time. All I can say is it smokes a bit more now but the mileage stayed the same so I am guessing that the cam helped a bit. I would not recommend it unless U get free labour on the install.