Yeah that is the question???????? Wanna hear from guys who have installed cams in their built motors. Gimme some feedback fellows:thumb:
To Cam or not to Cam
- Thread starter blackdirtymax
- Start date
A corresponding cam should also push the powerband up the RPM scale if so inclined. If that's not a goal, I'm not entirely sure I'd go for a cam. A lot of power has been made on stock ones. :thumb:
That's not to say those same ones with stock cams might not have made more with a properly spec'd cam for their target range of operation.
Hopefully some MUCH sharper folks will chime in with their thoughts. I'm a pee-on in these regards but I like giving my $0.02 when asked sometimes.
That's not to say those same ones with stock cams might not have made more with a properly spec'd cam for their target range of operation.
Hopefully some MUCH sharper folks will chime in with their thoughts. I'm a pee-on in these regards but I like giving my $0.02 when asked sometimes.
Pretty much like Mitch said, if you going to spend the money on a cam, do some research, talk to some people, figure out what rpm band, and what needs your engine will need, then buy one that suits that. Dont just go buy one cause its for sale, cause you can make big power without them.
i havent decided yet on those , guess it will all depend on whether i go with a cam or not. As for the goals with the truck , I just want to make as much power as possible and still be able to drive her daily:thumb:
I went with a cam. I have very close to the same set up ed wayme had before he broke his crank. I have his pistons and cam in my motor and a turbo close to what he had. Figured it worked for him I would give it a shot
well i am wide open on this build just wanna make all the right decisions:thumb:
I got the same cam as justin and it spools my gt4202r right nicely. But i did talk to other members and guy at socal before spending the $.
wonder what the difference in the comp cams and socal's are
None , I believe Guys use's the Comp units and cuts they key ways in them . If you have the coin a Cam is a good choice , but by no means NEC to make big HP . The cam am going with is a Custom Grind from Randy's Engine , its cheaper than the comp units too
You need to consider expectations with your build. Turbo has as much if not more to do with the power band in rpm's than the cam. With that said you should match those power bands to get the most out of the build. I used a cam in mine and am very happy with the performance. I need more turbo to utilize the potential but it spools very well and pulls hard throughout the rpm's. It was designed to spool the turbo quicker, has more duration,has more lift and has a larger centerline.
i will have an s480 feeding into stocker intially and will upgrade at a later date to much bigger i hope my hope is to put some huge garrett's on it later like a gt55 or so into an gt42 or 45
my hope is to put some huge garrett's on it later like a gt55 or so into an gt42 or 45
That's a big set of twins. I would get something that would work for them rather the stocker/480. Plus the stocker spools pretty fast its self so something in the upper rpms would help
Are you going with forged or stock cut pistons? One downside to running a cam with stock pistons is the valve reliefs make the piston a little weaker. Its probably a non issue with forged pistons.
I'm running a aftermarket cam in my current engine set up, and the only real difference is the sound of the engine, and peak power moved up about 500rpm.
Unless your going to run a big turbo setup, and big RPMs regularly, I would stick with the stocker. I've seen a few dyno sheets from trucks with some very respectable cams, and the graphs look identical to a stock engine power curve.
It seems to me that airflow (ie the size of the turbo) has more to do with peak power/rpm vs the cam.
If the price of aftermarket Duramax cams were within a reasonable range (less than $400 imo), it would be a no brainer when building a motor, but your bang for the buck in the cam department really sucks.
Unless your going to run a big turbo setup, and big RPMs regularly, I would stick with the stocker. I've seen a few dyno sheets from trucks with some very respectable cams, and the graphs look identical to a stock engine power curve.
It seems to me that airflow (ie the size of the turbo) has more to do with peak power/rpm vs the cam.
If the price of aftermarket Duramax cams were within a reasonable range (less than $400 imo), it would be a no brainer when building a motor, but your bang for the buck in the cam department really sucks.