Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Helix 3 camshaft

[JTEdieselram]

Hey all, quick question: I just got off the phone with doug smith in regards to a helix 3 camshaft. I am planning on ordering this cam in a few weeks when he gets a few more in. Has anybody run this cam in there 2nd gen 12v?? I want to know how bad the bottom end power is? I do drive my truck on the street ocasionally, and dont want to make it too crapy to drive, but I think the helix 3 is going to help me get those big hp #s The truck is pretty radical as is, I just want some more input on this subject.

 

[PRattenbury]

Don't you need to fly cut the pistons to run the Helix3?

 

[JTEdieselram]

Nope, and I was told that standard 60lb springs and stock keepers/retainers/pushrods work with this cam as well. This is why I am really turned on to this cam. It is about as agressive as you can get without going billet. A billet cam from haisley, or piers requires fly cut pistons, custom lifters, they have to machine the block to accept the larger bearing journals, custom pushrods, custom springs, and titanium retainers/ keepers (about $4000. 00 worth of stuff) not to mention once you go this route forget ever driving your truck on the street.

 

[Signal73]

Upgraded valve springs are not a choice. Coil bind up of the stock valve springs will occur even before the cam comes to complete lift.

Thats on the F1 diesel website FYI.

 

[JTEdieselram]

Only for the 24valve

 

[JTEdieselram]

Please only give info If you have had personal experence with this camshaft.

 

[BigYellowIron]

To the top, I am interested also.

 

[Hammer]

A billet cam from haisley, or piers requires fly cut pistons, custom lifters, they have to machine the block to accept the larger bearing journals, custom push rods, custom springs, and titanium retainers/ keepers (about $4000. 00 worth of stuff) not to mention once you go this route forget ever driving your truck on the street.

Well. .

If your going to make statements about only having guys who use the F1 Helix cam then at least give us the common courtesy of correct info on the others. Not all Billet cams need the excessive work you are saying and can be street driven easily. Now as for the comment about the valve train upgrade to better retainers,springs and push rods,well its a pay me now or pay me later deal. The 60lb springs are not strong enough for the lobe on the bigger camshafts and will cause premature valve float and kill your power and quite possibly your motor in extreme instances. So the easy way to look at it is like this,4g's now while the truck is apart to ensure all the new rpms can be used or $$$$$g's later to repair all the damage caused by valve float and/or coil binding and broken or dropped valves. Next time you chat with Doug ask him about what happens when valves break... ... ... ... ... . Andy

 

[JTEdieselram]

Did not even know this post was still going!? Hammer, I apologize if I offended anybody. I have done lots of reaserch, and every time I read or ask about "billet cams" I have asked haisley, and piers, they have both told me that extensive work was needed. I started researching the F1 cam about 5 months ago, and was told by F1 to use 60lb springs (on my 12v) and was told that the stock stuff (valves retainers keepers pushrods) work great. They told me to use this stuff over titanium to retain reliability for street use. My truck is a street driven ocasional drag strip truck. I installed the F1 helix 3 in the last week ( I took lots of pictures an will hopefully have a write up posted in a few weeks ) truck runs awesom! and to me seems really streetable bottom end is no worse than before (takes a few rpms to get the turbos up anyways!) the springs still have tons of space between coils when fully compressed. Everything seems fine? I am always up to try new parts, I think the f3 was a great choice for my application. I purchased it from Olee Poole www.powerbypoole.com great to work with great pricing, fast shipping! Keep your eyes out for a write up on my truck!

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Good post on the Stage 3 cam. I too enjoy the stock 60lb springs, retainers and locks and have been running them for years with absolutely zero issues, Seat pressure is around 150-160 lbs, enough for everything except a full tilt puller in my eyes!



Jim

 

[JTEdieselram]

Thanks Jim! No one believes me when I say 60lb springs, because on the F1 site it says aftermarket springs are a must, but it only says that about the 24v. I am just going off what the F1 guys told me. Truck runs great!

 

[Jim Fulmer]

Don, Olee or Doug will all tell you they are fine, the 12V's don't have the issues that the 24V guys do because the spring size it's self is larger. Now I do know of a 12V guy that did have issues and machined his head to accept a larger spring but he goes through the traps at 4K all the time and uses a very larger cam.



Jim

 

[BigYellowIron]

So how is the cam doing now?????

 

[WDimig]

i too am interested in this write up, i was looking at a helix 2, may go with a 3 now if everything is a ok.



wes