Cam and Head question

[Devildog]

I going to either install or have installed an new cam and ported/ o-ringed head.



1, Who makes the best cam shaft?



2, I think I'm going with Piers ported/0-ringed head.



3, how long does the install take and at what skill level and are special tools required?

 

[SlyBones]

I know nothing about cams. Other than there are various models for various applications. I would not get one that required fly cutting the pistons.



PDR cam shafts are getting good reviews from the ones that have tried it so far. And price is right. Save almost enough to get a PDR HX40 along with it.



It would be quite the cooling system -- PDR Cam, PDR HX40, and PDR ported head.

 

[Rob Thomas]

The cam install is alot of work, basicly the whole front of the truck needs to come off, including the bumper, rad, intercooler and the front of the motor. Then the valve cover and all the rockers and push-rods, then you need to hold up all the lifters with wooden dowel rods and rubber bands. Then once you remove the cam, you need to have the gear pressed off, and pressed back on the new cam, then re-install everything. Plan on the entire day doin' it.



The head takes about 6-8 hours, depending how many freinds stop over, and how much beer you drink with them. The head weighs about 135#'s so a hoist is nice.



Have fun!



Later, Rob

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Devildog



I to thought about how hard this was but when I was at Piers's shop they had a truck torn down with the head and cam out of it. I looked at the tools and the job and I'm not intimidated by it now, biggest thing is everything is a heavy pain in the ass!



Jim

 

[Bob Wagner]

but after the install

it would be



Piers at his best again

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

I'm partial to the camshaft Lawrence at Diesel Dynamics and I designed. Since we start with a new Marine cam and lifters, it is expensive. However, it is polished and shotpeened to prevent the nose from cracking off, and uses a long retaining bolt and plate to further hold the gear on. the profile is optimized for power in the practical rpm range, and it does not require fly cutting pistons. Lawrence or I can also take care of head porting, etc. You will save 300-400 deg. max egt usually. Mpg should go up some.



Piers does good work too. I have no direct dyno verified reports on his cam or head so cannot give specific comments.

 

[Sled Puller]

Piers work and service is second to none,and his prices are TDR friendly!



If you want extreme horsepower,a radical cam is the only way to go, but it does require fly cuts in your pistons, contact www.enterpriseengine.com:D

 

[Cousin Billy]

Head and cam installation

Devildog,



I put a PDR cam and ported/o/ringed head in my 96 back in June. Installation is time consuming (figure a weekend), but nothing overly complicated. I made a few tools for the cam swap and a hoist sure makes the head swap easier. I put a PDR hx40/16 on soon afterwards. It sure is nice to use the power of a #10 plate and 370's and not even look at the egt's till around 90+ mph in fourth gear.

I'll have dyno numbers from Scheid's in a few weeks.

Peak horsepower numbers are neat, but horsepower you can use ALL DAY LONG at 1200 degrees is something most people don't usually talk about.

Feel free to contact me if I can help you, or c'mon up to northern KY and I'll put it in for ya .





12 valves rule:-laf



Good luck, Cousin Billy

 

[Jetpilot]

I will be able to give you a good report in a couple weeks on Piers' cam in a 24V auto. It is scheduled to be installed on the 12th. I will report the outcome once I have had time to evaluate it. This will include dyno time and actually driving.



Doug

 

[HVAC]

What are you expecting from a cam change?

 

[Sled Puller]

Re: Head and cam installation

Originally posted by Cousin Billy

.

Peak horsepower numbers are neat, but horsepower you can use ALL DAY LONG at 1200 degrees is something most people don't usually talk about.



12 valves rule:-laf



Good luck, Cousin Billy

And that is what I have been talking about for years!!

Put those chicken crap dyno numbers to use, and then we seperate the real power kings from the paper tigers.

 

[Devildog]

Just received my Super Mentals

I'm trying to reach the best of both worlds as anyone, More usable Horse Power When the fuel pusher kit and larger fuel lines get here I'll will be installing the injectors at the same time. I pretty sure I going to have EGT problems again. Please keep me posted. Thanks.

 

[nascar mark]

Like Jetpilot, my PDR test cam goes in on the 12th and i will be posting the drive-ability of the new cam for the 1st gen crowd.



Drive-ability for everyday use is what most people need as one day your pulling a trailer and the next you are hot roding or grocery getting. I'm hoping the cam has the balance of the best of both worlds. I've had to detuned my fuel settings as far as i could go so the truck is more drivable as egt's don't allow me to use full power for towing or every day driving. With the documentation i've recorded with the stock cam, 1st gen drivers will be able to see what the PDR cam install will do for them as i will be documenting the numbers after thoroughly testing the cam by towing, hot roding and every day driving.



mark

 

[SlyBones]

Re: Re: Head and cam installation

Originally posted by Sled Puller

And that is what I have been talking about for years!!

Put those chicken crap dyno numbers to use, and then we seperate the real power kings from the paper tigers.

So those high RPM, smoke belching, fire breathing monsters you sled pull with dont go over 1200* on the pryo? And they can run that way all day long? Now I really impressed.

 

[Sled Puller]

No, I bury my pyro, over 1800 sled pulling.



Towing on the street, I grossed over 14,000, and ran 75 MPH up about any hill I could find at 900 degrees. @3000 rpm in 4 th gear.



I'll race anybody who wants to towing.



She BREATHS!!!

BTW, it doesn't smoke whem I'm towing. -- less i want it to.

 

[SlyBones]