Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Camshaft Questions

[AKester]

Hey guys, I've got a '97 5-speed that I absolutely love. After well over 300,000 miles... I was struck by that dreaded KDP... (I know, should have spent that Saturday PREVENTING it, and I wouldn't be in this boat).



On with the question... ... I am thinking about swapping out my cam... since I have to pull it out, anyway. I definitely have a limited budget and am wondering if anyone has any experience (good or bad) with reground cams/lifters. Or some good grind suggestions. I'm not looking for anything crazy, but maybe something like a PDR quickspool. I am not entirely familiar with what all is out there, so any good vendor names are also welcome!



Also, I'm looking for any simple no-brainer upgrades to perform while I've got the thing apart.



I already have a #10 fuel plate, gauges, 4" exhaust, boost elbow, and SB clutch.



Thanks for any input!!

 

[WDaniels]

When my KDP decided to fall out at 101k and change I upgraded to a PDR cam just in case I decided to get crazy with the horse power. It was to difficult and time consuming to do the cam another time. So I would do it whilst you have the whole front end apart this one time instead of doing the whole thing again. When I got my cam from Piers the lifters came with the new cam and the old cam and lifters were core exchanges. If you decide to go with another manufacturer of cams that does not supply new lifters, the lifters are not expensive, it would be better to just replace them with new ones. JMHO

WD

 

[AKester]

Thanks, WDaniels. I assume you just went with their quick spool cam? How do you like it? Any problems?

 

[GAmes]

I have had a PDR cam for about 250k . There is no seat of the pants HP increase, but my egts do run cooler and I got an immediate 2mpg gain (with timing before and after at 15. 7 degrees. I estimate it paid for itself in 6 months (57,000 miles).

 

[AKester]

Thanks, that's the kind of info I was looking for.
God Bless TDR!!!

 

[kentdiesel]

I've had a PDR regrind for 60,000mi. It's hard for me to say exactly what difference it made because when I installed the cam I changed the pump timing from 13. 5 to 15. 5 degrees and installed a 24V intercooler. With these three changes my MPG's increased 2mpg, Peak EGT's decreased 200 degrees, and turbo spool up came in at 100rpm's lower which is 1600rpm.