Just looking for some input here. I need some help deciding whether to mess installing a cam in my truck or not. If i decide to go this route, i will more than likely be going with the Helix2. I like the fact that it is not a re grind and that everyone seems to have nothing but good things to say about them. I just want to make sure im making the right decision before i spend the $$$$. The main thing im looking for is power above 3000 rpms. Right now my truck pulls hard up to about 2800-3000rpms and then just kinda falls on its face. Would a helix 2 cam let my motor keep pulling hard up to 3700rpms or so? Or will it make that much difference?? Many have reported lower egts, better throttle response, faster spool up, and mpg increases, but no one says much about how it affects the difference in power in higher rpms. Is installing the cam worth the money and time/install? Or would my money be better spent somewhere else???

Thanks,
Josh

 

From what I've read, a cam will broaden the 'power band', if you will. But mostly I hear power gains are not significant, and you probably won't get too much more top end out of it. The governor and fuel delivery ability will give you the RPM's up top. The cam just improves airflow through the engine, which does help EGT's, lowers the boost a bit, and improves spoolup. But I am more of a newbie than an expert.

 

the stock cam will not make power over 2800 rpm. it has no overlap and creates huge cylinder pressure and egt at high rpm. a proper cam will make a huge difference in your powerband, as that is what a cam does (determines your operating range) The helix 2 is a very mild cam from what I can tell, however they will not give specs on it which is strange because every cam I have ever getten has come with a cam card. Cams can be had in regrind, blanks or full billet (which will require all your cam bores to have bushings.

pm me if you want more info on cams and specs, I think I know somthing that would work very well for your application.

 

Josh, i also think your truck with a 4k gsk should pull well past 3000 rpm...

i know mine does, mine wont pull well to 4k though, more like 3700, it goes well to 4000 but slower from 3700 on...

before mine wouldn't go well past 3000 either, It was my fuel pressure problem , it dropped to 0 psi once i got over 3000 rpm, i put on a "walbro 392" style pump, and theres a big noticeable power increase once on redline!

But i dont know if that's your problem, you should test your fp. But on the videos from you, i couldnt tell any popping like my truck did when fp dropped...

I'm not saying a cam aint worth it.... ive been considering one myself... lets see!
Cuz i live at high elevation, egts get crazy, I have a good bitta lag with the 64 charger, and well more top end is always nice.

 

Im pretty sure FP isnt my problem. It never pops or misses or anything. Above 3000 rpms its like it just quits pulling hard and EGTs get noticably higher.

 

I don't want to hijack the thread, but how is the drivability of the truck with say a helix 2? Does it change the way it runs dramaticly?

Eric

 

I don't have an H2...yet, but I've ridden in a truck with a LARGE single, H2, and 4K kit. It comes alive at 2200RPM, and never quits. It gets scary fast before it stops pulling!

We need to get it dynoed, and see for sure how well it makes power....but every time we have a dyno day, something gets broke 2 weeks before, and gets fixed a week after!

I'd love to see that truck with a charger that will light below 2K...the GT42 he had was a touch on the laggy side

BTW, it's Brandon's (Joefarmer) truck
Chris

 

I do not know if the cam increases the hp above 3000rpm...yet. With my drag comp, the engine starts to lay down right at 3000rpm. I can tell you though that my egt's when from ~1450 to ~1200 and the end of the 1/4 mile, when I added the Helix 2 cam.

As far as driveability. It does drive better with the cam. I notice it in three areas: 1) as already mentioned EGT's are down. Not only at the top end, but also during cruise. Cruise EGT's are down over 100* (about 650@65mph). 2) Off idle acceleration is improved, however I also added more fuel down low. I do think the cam is helping, though, because the off idle smoke is less. Once boost is built I don't have any smoke anyway, but before boost has a chance to come up, it responds better, and has less smoke. 3) Building boost at the line. It is way easier to build smoke free boost at the line now. With more and more tracks going to the autostart system, being able to build smoke free boost quickly is becoming more and more important. I can build 15psi of boost (smoke free), in just a couple of seconds now. That's 15psi total, with 5psi being made by the bottom turbo.

I just wish I had done the cam when I still had the Dodgezilla turbo and Mach 4 injectors. The 200 degree reduction at the end of the track might have reduced the number of cracks I ended up with in the head (the trucks not mine!). 1600* at the 1/8 mile is not a good thing!

Paul

 

The Helix 2 Cam is pretty trick guys.
I ran a reground street cam from Scheid and the Helix cam is alot more aggressive with higher lobes with different positioning and longer duration on the lobes.

I would recommend one of the Helix 2's to anyone wanting MORE!

The Helix will flat out move the air. It gives the truck a whole new sound.
For the person wanting lower egt's, improved spoolup, better pull and top end perfromance this is it.

Cams are probably the most overlooked piece of the puzzle in diesel performance because of high labor time but I can tell you they are worth it.

Most people just want a number on a piece of paper but my goal is for my engine to live through 20 seconds of hell about 10-15 times a year.

 

What kind of mpg gain with the scheid vs helix vs stock?

 

Both cams netted a small mileage gain.
I wouldnt buy a cam strictly for mileage gain.

 

The powerband for the H2 is in theory from 1500-4000. It keeps making power well past 4k. I don't have the guts to see how far it will rev, but a snapped transmission shaft let it spin to > 5k once. I have the video if you'd like to see it.

brandon.

 

Of course we want to see Brandon.

 

Last day the track was open in 2006:
http://www.firepunk.com/videos/downl...=ntr102906.wmv

brandon.