Cam plus other stuff?

Davy120 · Jun 25, 2013

So thinking of getting a cam and a few other go fast parts. Any ideas from anyone? Would like to keep this total cost under 700 if possible as there are a few other things higher on my list.

Currently have sonnax line pressure booster, s&b, pacesetter long tubes, and a superchips 91 tune.

Don't want to do to gears cause I'm already rocking 3.92s and they will run 37s just fine

I just want a little more go to my skinny pedal. Thanks for any help.

Camo Ram

ATXHEMI · Jun 25, 2013

Cam spring and rods are gonna put you pretty close to 600 just for parts. Unless you find a good used cam. Inertia's cams run $450. I've been lookin st the Spartan for a long while.

98hemi-ram · Jun 25, 2013

Keeping the cost under $700 will be tough unless you can find a used cam. A new cam will run you about $400 then you will also need

16 - 6.1 exhaust valve springs
8 - 6.1 intake pushrods
8 - 6.1 exhaust pushrods
1 - crankshaft bolt
1 - camshaft bolt
Maybe a couple keepers for the valve springs in case you lose one.

I think that stuff was right around $200-250 when I was pricing it out.

Then depending on the cam you will probably need custom tuning. Which will be another few hundred by the time I you buy a programmer and get someone to tune it.

Also if I remember right your truck is an 03 right? If so I'd check on tuning before you pick out a cam. 03's are a pain when it comes to tuning from what I've heard.

KGBIGCOUNTRY · Jun 25, 2013

You can run a comp 260 safely for the most part on the SC, add a 180* tstat though to help add alill fuel. You can go with a custom cut PCM friendly cam from Stu but like menetioned its atleast $450.

We have the Comp 260 on sale at the moment for $379 and free shipping
Comp Cams XFI 260 for 03-08 Ram 1500 5.7L/6.1L Hemi

03MopaRamman · Jun 25, 2013

Edit: Darn Ken posted this at the same time, and stand by my 260 comment and respect your opinion for Sure its just the 03's are hit and miss with the 260 but like the 180 stat idea....lol........

Crazy Jay on a 114 but Call Inertia and Stu can recommend a good runner for your SC. This Cam is close to the sidewinder. I don't recommend the Comp 260 for an 03 with SC. The 6.1 works good and with long tubes and 6k shifting really hauls ass but don't expect lots of low end torque hence the Crazy Jay is a good bet. The Crazy Spartan is kick ass but is one that needs more tuning than the SC can offer, however if Stu recommends it and can do a 115 or 116 cut then its worth the 450 bucks IMO.

Hemi450hp · Jun 25, 2013

With a $700 budget, I would go with a tq converter over a cam swap. Like said, there are very few cams that you can run with your Superchips, and they just wouldn't show as much of a gain for you as the tq converter would.

Davy120 · Jun 25, 2013

Thanks for all the input guys. Maybe ill have to rethink my budget for this to include a better tuner and what not.

And what kind of torque converter would be best matt? Also what would be a more realistic budget for doing the cam and 6.1 swap like 98 hemi ram was saying?

Also not sure about all them numbers and names you were tossing out there danny any more incite? I'm a noob when it comes to making any kind of power and the parts that are included

Camo Ram

98hemi-ram · Jun 25, 2013

Wish I could give you a better idea on budget for the cam swap but mind was done along with a ton of other stuff in my swap so I can't really say for sure what just the cam swap cost me.

Redtruck-VA · Jun 25, 2013

Part of getting a cam running on a 03 is raising the idle. SC will add timing as well as the 180 stat that also helps. Split Second "Cam Tamer" will pull fuel at idle which should take care of the surging as will a PSC1-003, and a higher stall converter helps with the idle taking some load off of the idle. 03's can run cams, they just require a little massaging. I run a Crazy Spartan with 112lsa, it isn't suppose to work and I;m confident Redtruck could run even a Spartan on 114lsa without issues, meaning not throwing codes. I don't recommend going with a DSP CMR tune on a 03 as the CMR tune cannot adjust idle, rpm or speed limiters. So why stick a cam in the truck when you can't spin the sucker up into the range it was designed to make power in? I disagree with your gear strategy that 3:92's is all you need for 37" tires. I would recommend at this point to go with a set of 4:56 gears and wait to see what hoops I have to jump through installing a parrallel Megasquirt tuner and then decide on further engine mods. As you often hear "don't fear the gear". I run 28" tires with a 4:10 gear and 27's at the strip. Turning 2150 @ 65mph. My wife's stock SUV turns more rpms then my truck. Talk to Danny about using tall tires, he has experience I believe will help you decide. This is going to be an interesting year for our 03's. But by all means jump in there if you've got a plan.

98hemi-ram · Jun 25, 2013

But I'd say $700 should cover the parts. It would just be the cost of tuning that you'd have to figure out. I'm sure if you do a but of searching you'll be able to get a better idea what you'll be looking at for tuning.

Davy120 · Jun 25, 2013

So what your saying redtruck is my sc will run a certain cam like a 260 for instance, as long as I add the tstat, the cam tamer and a torque converter?

And I only said that about my gears because i have a buddy whos been running 37s with 3.55 gears with no issues and he can still break his tires loose.

And no worries 98hemi. Thanks for helping where ya can

like the info about all the 6.1 stuff

Camo Ram

ST-8 · Jun 25, 2013

My 04 is currently just running of a superchips with a 260 an it runs good for the most part.

KGBIGCOUNTRY · Jun 25, 2013

Danny I agree its hit or miss but the 260 is right there on the bubble for the safest choice besides a stock 6.1. Some 03's act the same as the 04 except for the not being able to raise the idle through a tune. I know you have gone through a bunch of cams in your 03 and I can name a long list of what wont work for sure, unless Greg cracks the megasquirt system then its going to be game on for all the 03 guys. The op could even do a 6.1 regrind through Stu giving him a wide LSA to play happy with a decent amount of lift and duration but it becomes an unknown until its in the truck and some miles on it. My first cam was a 6.1 regrind to Spartan spec to work with the stock PCM no tune and it ran, but a tune made it wake up. The regrinds just get alill odd sometimes, almost better to get a comp or crower or voodoo to cut one but your just grabbing #s out of the air on what should work. It always comes down to these trucks all seem to act different for who knows what reason, which makes it fun and annoying all at the same time.

03MopaRamman · Jun 25, 2013

I have tried 4 different cams in my truck and twice it was the 6.1 Cam. You have long tubes and i beleive the 6.1 is a good start choice for the 03. Greg is a smart guy but playing with a cam tuner takes alot of patience. The parts mentioned are avail cheapest for you at the Mopar supercenter. You need a decent spring tool like the new comp cams one and it is recommended the miller insert and installer tools (online tools place) so those will cost 400 right there but you'll have them. Change the timing chain and tensioner, throw in a 6.1 oil pump and change your valve seals while in there (another 120-150 bucks). If I wasn't commited to trying the KRC 210 the Crazy Jay would be my next choice. I love the comp 260 idea but know a guy local that could not keep his 03 idling on SC alone. With the 6.1 you can run on the 87 tune if 91 gets expensive.

Think about it Davey but I am willing to give you my AC version 6.1 Cam if you want to pay the shipping, not sure if that would end up being a deal for you but something to consider and in the end would be less than an unknown version for approx 80 bucks on the forums.

Danny

03MopaRamman · Jun 25, 2013

KGBIGCOUNTRY said:
Danny I agree its hit or miss but the 260 is right there on the bubble for the safest choice besides a stock 6.1. Some 03's act the same as the 04 except for the not being able to raise the idle through a tune. I know you have gone through a bunch of cams in your 03 and I can name a long list of what wont work for sure, unless Greg cracks the megasquirt system then its going to be game on for all the 03 guys. The op could even do a 6.1 regrind through Stu giving him a wide LSA to play happy with a decent amount of lift and duration but it becomes an unknown until its in the truck and some miles on it. My first cam was a 6.1 regrind to Spartan spec to work with the stock PCM no tune and it ran, but a tune made it wake up. The regrinds just get alill odd sometimes, almost better to get a comp or crower or voodoo to cut one but your just grabbing #s out of the air on what should work. It always comes down to these trucks all seem to act different for who knows what reason, which makes it fun and annoying all at the same time.

Agree even at 369 bucks for the 260 which is a smoking deal its a coin toss but to be honest if i had to do it all over i would try the 260 and hope my 03 likes it. The money saved on the 6.1 option could go towards tools or supporting springs and rods and once he does one cam and sees how much its gratifying he will do more.....

Davy120 · Jun 25, 2013

I'd be willing to try it out dannt if you still have it when I get back from deployment.

Camo Ram

03MopaRamman · Jun 25, 2013

No Probs, Sittin down stairs with my two Oem Cams! If i can help out and support another Basterd 03 I'm happy!

Davy120 · Jun 25, 2013

So ill need all this

16 - 6.1 exhaust valve springs
8 - 6.1 intake pushrods
8 - 6.1 exhaust pushrods
1 - crankshaft bolt
1 - camshaft bolt
Maybe a couple keepers for the valve springs in case I lose one.

The cam, the psc1-003 and? Anything else? Would like to get a more accurate budget set up.

Camo Ram

ST-8 · Jun 25, 2013

I got my cam, springs, rods, an retainers for 300 new In the classifieds an still after it was all said an done was out about 600$ replaced the chain an tensioner, gaskets an water pump as well, **** just fluids cost me almost $90

KGBIGCOUNTRY · Jun 25, 2013

New aintifreeze, new oil, new filter, timing set, I agree with Danny toss in a 6.1 oil pump due to age of your current and the 6.1 flows better.

What do you have in the way of tools?

Cam plus other stuff?

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