Who's cam are you running?

[TJSHOTROD]

I am in the market for a cam and have talked to a few vendors and of course they all say thiers is the best. So what I would like to know is who's cam you are running and would you buy it again also had did it effect your turbo lag?



TJ

 

[DRAG DIESEL]

Cummins!!!!

 

[Bob Wagner]

here are a few smartys running around reno, if you have a turbo lag problem have one of these guys let you try a smarty.



its spools like crazy

 

[Diesel Nut]

What up TJ!



I loved mu PDR cam I had in my 2003. Spooled quicker and felt like the truck was stronger even without boost. Sounded different too. I haven't decided who to run with for the 2006 yet. I'll be watching this thread.

 

[TJSHOTROD]

Do you think it helps more than a cam?

here are a few smartys running around reno, if you have a turbo lag problem have one of these guys let you try a smarty.



its spools like crazy

 

[BPonci]

I run a special grind 3rd gen cam in mine and noticed my torque rise is much quicker with a better curve. I havent seen a torque # higher to date at the rpm 2200. I really like the profile lift ,duration and the center line split. I have tried other styles and this by far is the best for me. Im a little different from what stomp and the kidfan tells me.

 

[Matt400]

I am probably the only one, or one of very few with a cam and no other mods... yet anyway.

Its a PDR and I would do it again. I didn't have any gauges installed before I did the cam either so I can't quantify the results but I liked the idea of correcting the retarded cam timing mostly.



I went PDR because I wanted new, not a regrind and at the time the only other new was Helix that was just getting into it. Kinda big surgery so I decided to go with a proven company at the time.



It has a little different tone but not a whole lot and the SOP meter says power is up.

MPG went up a tad. Overall I like it.



One interesting thing I noted on it was a cummins part # 3926671.

I questioned PDR about that number stamped in it thinking it may be a regrind but they assured me it is simply a new unfinished cummins cam pulled from the manufacturing process after it was stamped but before the lobs are ground. Then PDR finishes it to their specs so while they do grind the lobs they don't do the journals or manufacture the entire cam.

 

[WDaniels]

PDR's. I threw my Killer dowl pin in 01 and was in the process of replacing it when I got called up to go to the desert. Harry at PDR put me #1 on the list to get my cam so I could get the truck back togeather so my wife could have it while I was gone. Thats service second to none. There may be better cams out there but there isn't better service. For that alone he has had my loyality since.

WD

 

[thekidfan]

TJ, whatever cam you go with I would say make sure you retain it somehow be it by bolt or by tig fasten that gear!!

 

[thekidfan]

Im a little different from what stomp and the kidfan tells me.

Yes "a little" may even be "a bit" of a understatement TJ, his is a 12 valve so not sure about how that cam would affect your truck but yes Brads' truck hits VERY hard :--) the proof is still on his pas. side seat :-laf . Brad has tried a few cams and this one is unreal!

 

[NoSeeUm]

The idea of "quicker spool" is a tough one. I never timed my spool before or after my cam was installed. IMO, this is a SOP assumption. A dyno could likely pick it up or not.



At the time my cam was installed I was running the Smarty SW9, so I can't say that my turbo spooled any faster or slower. I can say that now, when I get in it, the turbo spool torque hit is pretty impressive. I have a stick, so I am impressed for about 2 seconds then I have to shift. I think that a cam would, more the most part, really keep the front of the truck lifted better in an automatic.



The biggest thing that I did notice was a reduction in boost and EGT. I am going to say that I got 50 - 200 EGT reduction. And a 1 - 5 psi reduction in boost pressure. Depending on what the truck is doing, as you load the engine the spreads get larger vs no cam.



An example, at 60 mph unloaded on level ground. Before the cam I generally ran 3 - 6 psi boost and 650 - 750 F EGT. With the cam I run 0 - 3 psi boost and 500 - 600 F EGT.



Jim

 

[AFarmer]

F1 Diesel... Don Morrison knows how to make the power. I've been running his and have been very pleased sled pulling, drag racing and on the dyno. Truck never stops pulling on up past 3600rpm. Let me know if you're interested in one and I'll get you a contact.

 

[lmills]

very happy with my F1 Helix 2 cam

 

[jwilliams3]

What lmills says.

 

[GiesJ]

For those that have commented on their aftermarket cam, who did and didn't change the valve springs; and why did you choose that path?

thanks!

 

[AFarmer]

I changed valve springs, F1 Diesel as well, because of high boost pressure and RPM increase. I didn't want any valves floating around from to much of the above. I also did a Fluid Ampr at the same time. Stuff like that pays off in the long run.

 

[Matt400]

For those that have commented on their aftermarket cam, who did and didn't change the valve springs; and why did you choose that path?

thanks!

I did not because PDR did not recommend it for their grind. As far as I know only the more radical grinds like the helix 2 & 3 recommend springs. In addition I did not do the tappets either because I was well below the mileage PDR recommends for tappets.

 

[Fishin Guide]

I am on my second cam. Both from F1 Diesel.



The first was a press on gear and it worked flawlessly. The only reason ot was pulled was to inspect it and to install a brand new Helix with a bolt on gear.



Spool up is definately improved and EGT reductions are clearly there. The original reason I swapped cams was for the 12V mechanical pump. But, the other benefits are clearly powerful motivators as well.



My old cam went into a buddies motor after being inspected and cleaned. With no other mods at that time, he was simply amazed. Hiss setup is a set of M4's and Rip's twins (HX40/ S400). He said he could tow his 6000+lb boat with the Comp on level 3 and had no EGT issues. He also has 35's and 3. 54s. Prior to the cam, he could tow on anything higher than level 1x3.



Unloaded, he said the turbo spools much faster.



And I can attest for that even in my setup. Faster spool, great EGT control andd much less smoke. It all adds to usable power. In fact, I would suggest a cam as a first, best mod for anyone that tows at all!



Dave

 

[lmills]

stock springs. When the Helix2 cam went in, it was an unexpected upgrade while the enigne was torn down. I was limited on time and budget while getting the truck back together in a timely manner. I do plan to do the springs though.

 

[AMink]

Off topic a little, good showing in the Diesel Power mag, TJ! Always looking for more power. You'll have to drive that beast past the park sometime so I can see it up close.