cam questions

[night hawk]

I know how effective cams are for performance, but I am wondering if they are something that I could install myself and maybe with the help of a friend or my dad?

If it is a hard install, then about how much does it cost for someone to do it?

 

[Graygoose]

If you've never done it, I'd leave it to someone that has. Also look at other cost factors, such as tune, new springs, etc.

 

[night hawk]

are all of those extra things like springs and such "must haves" for a 6.1 cam or would they just kinda help out? if you know what im saying

 

[truckin151]

Springs and rods are a must have for anything over stock.

 

[night hawk]

yeah i just looked at some comp cams and found that out, but with an aftermarket cam, do you have to get your truck tuned? because i had an SC 3950 tuner for my truck and it never worked so i sent it back...

 

[Graygoose]

for maximum potential, yes...the cam would change many things, and moves the power range up.

 

[night hawk]

Do you know if performance shops or something like that would tune my truck for me? lol

 

[KGBIGCOUNTRY]

Comp 260 should and I stress the work should work on a SC tune. Each one of these trucks respond different to mods. There are a few tricks to doing a cam swap, unless you have a garage and a full weekend to devote to it might wanna see about someone doing an install for you. A mechanic that has done a cam change on these trucks with the right tools should be able to start the job and finish in about 6 hrs and thats including doing the springs and taking a few breaks, if they have not done these it will take a good deal longer. The 6.1 springs have buckets on the bottom so a regualar spring tool will not work. There are a few ways around that also. Whats your experiance with motor work?

 

[night hawk]

well actually i have 0 motor experience...i just like to do whatever i can by myself like installing fog lights, headers, CAI, and a muffler lol other than that, no actual motor work.

BUT, i had a welding teacher from when i was in highschool that knows just about everything there is to know about motors and such. i know i could take it to him to install it. installing isnt what makes me nervous about buying one, its the tuning because i had an SC tuner and it didnt detect ignition on when i tried so im not sure if my truck is "tuneable"

 

[KGBIGCOUNTRY]

The tuner didnt power up at all when plugged in? Yes your truck is tuneable, if you wanna go with a bigger bump stick ditch the SC and go to a DSP for a full custom tune. Whats your plans for the truck in the long run?

Here's an up to date list of the cammed 3rd gen guys on here.
http://www.ramforum.com/f50/cam-info-3495/

 

[night hawk]

well something is wrong with my truck that the SC wouldnt tune it because it worked on my moms 08 ram so i sent it back assuming something is wrong with my truck

 

[KGBIGCOUNTRY]

Was hers tunered back to stock before you tried loading it on your truck? Sounds like it was not and VIN locked still, I could be wrong.

 

[night hawk]

well it was meant to be for my truck so i tried tuning mine for like 30 mins every day on the phone with tech support and they didnt know what was wrong. THEN i tried it on my moms and it worked like a charm so i reset it and sent it back to the place...lol

 

[truckin151]

There's your problem, you can't run a SC on more than one vehicle. If you did hers first after updating and didn't reset it it was locked. Once you set hers back to.factory you should.have tried yours again.

 

[night hawk]

i did mine first though...but it didnt work on mine so then i went to my moms truck and it worked lol

 

[truckin151]

Did you try updating it?

 

[night hawk]

i called the tech support for like two weeks straight and they think it may be something with my truck...

 

[KGBIGCOUNTRY]

Ok lets walk through it did the handheld power up? If so your port is working, if not check for a blown fuse. Also inspect to see if any of the pins are bent, it does happen.

 

[night hawk]

thats what tech support said and i checked all of that and my voltage was fine too. it did power up, so it was drawing energy but it couldnt detect ignition on.

 

[03MopaRamman]

Your Tuner Problems aside you can do the Cam yourself if you do the research as it is not that difficult. I have done it 3 times on my truck. You will need some special tools though like the miller damper insert (removal) and threaded insert tool with bearing (install) of the damper, as well as a 3 jaw puller that fits (my OTC is knotched with a grinder) and finally a spring tool. Cost me about $400 bucks and I am now doing Cam No. 4 on my R/T Car so in my case its paid for itself. You can pay someone like kenneth says up to you.

I have not built my Garage yet so mine where done in a gravel driveway with a 6ft folding table and grocery bins to haul the tools. There are other tools required as well and you need the torque values written down. I used "Mr. Hemi's Cammed Ram DIY" and it was very helpful. Good Luck with your Cam Choice. In the next couple months I should have my thread updated and rolling for my cam Job on my Magnum Car (Lounge).