Hey guys. I have about 383hp and 700 torque on a dyno. All I have is Quad Race Module and Walbro set up. Would I gain anything from a good cam like helix 2 (and springs)? I dont sledpull or do boosted launches, just stomp on it when underway occasionally. I guess it wouls lower egt's? Would gain be very much for the expense. {I had a different cam put in my HD years ago and it really woke it up, and I could still ride it cross country and was and still is very reliable.} Could I keep stock sticks and stock turbo or would it all just be a waste of money? Also would I need a water/meth inj kit too? Oh, right now my truck runs great and never have to get it worked on and can take it on trips, would I be opening a can of worms? I am not worried about clutch, when it goes I will get a Southbend of some sort. Thanks

 

From what I've been told by a couple diesel mechanics, no.

It's 10+ hours of labor. You decide if it's worth it.

for the same money you'd be better off dropping in a small 62/12 and a Smarty. That'll wake it up!

 

JC, what would that cost you reckon, parts and labor, I know Smarty is about $700? And I don't like smoke, would Smarty smoke a lot?

 

It would make a great platform for starting out since a cam and springs are a must on my list.

 

PourinDiesel, would it still be a good everday driver and dependable to take on trips ( I pull my mules in gooseneck trailer)? I just know that with a gas engine, one can overcam them and make them not very trustworthy or streetable.

 

Should be just fine...

With my prior cam (pre F1) there was a point where I did have the stock turbo installed when my SPS66 took a dump on me.

Truck ran great.

 

cam and springs are first on my lift for now on. there overlooked quite a bit but well worth everything that goes into it.

 

Thanks guys, do they lower egt's. ------ What water/meth inj is best ( I mean put it in and forget about it except to fill it?

 

The 03-04 wont get a very large benefit like the 04.5, 05, 06 and early 07 will with a stock set up.

The best thing is a mileage increase. The turbo will spool faster as well.

Several people have reported a good increase in mileage for the 04.5 and up. As much as 2 MPG. I think it is most likely closer to 1 MPG.

I feel it is worth it if a guy was going to rack up miles on the truck.

 

I will probably buy a cam and springs before I buy a new turbo...both those should help your engine last/hold together longer...witch is a major plus to me

 

Why is this?

I've heard that the later motors have "internal egr" from excessive overlap or something. Is this true?

My '07's mileage sucks. I filled up last night, $118 and change, 12mpg with mixed driving. Same lift/tire/gear ratio setup in my '03 (it *did* have a 6-speed) got me 15-16 city, 19 hwy.

 

The current downloads on the Smarty site smoke very little. And the lower HP tune you run, the less it smokes.

 

BIG THANKS to all who took time to answer. I esp like part about lasting longer and holding up better as I drove my last truck 14 yrs and still do.

 

Like pourin said A great building point.... I can't wait to do mine!!!

 

I think a guy that just wants to drive his truck around the country pulling mules has no business putting a cam in his diesel. Cams are a blessing to gasoline engines, but do not net nearly the benefit on a diesel. You would be dollars ahead just driving it.

What exactly do you want to accomplish?

Also be sure to take note that most of the guys saying go ahead, pull the trigger on a cam are HP junkies pushing 500+ hp.

Are you having egt issues?

I'm not saying a cam is not a great platform, but how big of a platform are you trying to build, 400 towable HP? 600 HP drag racing truck?