ported/polished head and cam shaft

[Devildog]

I getting ready to to do the upgrade and was wondering, Who has who-ms ported/polished head and cam shaft, are you happy and what are the results. Thanks, Chas.

 

[HVAC]

Devildog,



Please indulge me.



How much do you expect to spend on this project and what do you expect to see in return?

 

[Devildog]

Well, being in South Fla.

I would have to get prices for the installation of the products stated. I talked to Piers and he said it would be wise to do the head while your in there doing the cam. I got prices from Piers but the problem is there in the North West. I spoke to Diesel Dynamics their allot more expensive and you must have them install the Cam, but are we comparing apples to apples? I going to buy a KS- B-1 from Kurt soon. I want quicker spool, less smoke and lower EGT's with the Super Mentals. I'm wondering how much HP I will achieve with this setup... For the head and cam installed I expect around $3000. 00 (parts and labor)... .

 

[Todd T]

I think you will find in the camshaft market. its best to stick with non marine version. leaps and bounds are being made everyday and we are discovering the Marine cam is not as adaptable as first thought. in order to get into more lift and duration you have to get too deep into the lobe center on a Marine cam. a stock 215cam is just as hard and is shot peined in all the right places too. so to pay the cost of a new Marine cam, then regrind it. it just isnt worth it. there are a few shops in the midwestern states that have more than a few choices to pick from, in a camshaft. being they are not marine cams they can reuse your GOOD core. and pass those savings on to YOU. Piers as well. cash and carry BABY.



installation of said cams can then be obtained anywhere you can find competent help. (Black Mountain Diesel comes to mind) as does any Cummins Authorized proclaiming service center.



look hard, buy once.



I will presume you are after EGT gains? head work and thicker gasket will get you most of those. a good cam with matched injectors and the pump power tuned will get you the rest.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The marine cam has the bolt-on and press-on gear, a benefit. The iron alloy seems quite different, presumably better. Lawrence and I did our development on it and it is what is used as their "core. " The grind we developed is quite a bit stronger than stock.



Devildog, I was out of town at the TDR Nationals in Columbus IN so did not have a chance before to respond to your questions. Too bad you can't take a vacation out west and get your Ram some toys. Contact me again if you do; your expectations seem reasonable.

 

[Todd T]

I havent heard of the broken camshaft plague this side of the river care to enlighten us?



normally in high HP applications your pump gear will slip or fail first.



you asked about porting the head. Piers has some pictures that could be benificial to someone doing their own. the points of interest are to remove the casting bump on #1, smooth the bowls out, a good three angle valve job to include a 10* back cut, matching the seats to the valves and checking/matching the clearances to the deck. narrow the guides a little to increase flow past them too. be careful here, this can effect the swirl pattern.



I always clean up the plenum while I'm in there too.



12 hours will get you 200-300 degrees off the top. slap on a thicker gasket (3283339) maybe some new bolts and you're off.