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texaslawdawg
Dodge Dakota
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12/18/2002
21:07:37

Subject: Cam question for 2002 RT
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I know nothing about cams......as far as cams go, what do I need to increase low end jump for my 2002 RT without getting to radical, I have no intentions of racing at the track. What duration and lift and stuff do I need. Will it be required that I get 1.6 or 1.7 RRs and different heads or can the stock motor take a hotter cam without all the other mods ??



Ginther
Dodge Dakota
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12/18/2002
22:29:09

RE: Cam question for 2002 RT
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I too have a 2002. I see you have the BG flash, but basically nothing else major. Before you go digging into the guts, you may want to do the basics - M1 intake, F&B tb, and toss the three cats and get headers and o2 simm box(es).

The problem with these trucks in stock form is they can't breathe. Gotta get the air/fuel in and out, and in stock form that doesn't happen very well.

e-mail me if I you think I can help you anymore - keginther@sbcglobal.net



POWER HUNGRY
Dodge Dakota
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12/18/2002
23:15:49

RE: Cam question for 2002 RT
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If your only looking for off idle "jump" I would forget the cam and only get the 1.7RR.

What type of Rpm range do you normally drive in? The basic rule for cams is, the bigger you go the higher in the rpm range the power goes. I have read in many mags this general guide that a 10 degree increase @ 0.50 lift will move the powerband up 500 rpms. This doesn't mean you'll lose any low-end (will actually gain) if you don't go too much bigger. The fast lift of aftermarket cams and thier vavle timing are what gives them thier extra power.

Since your looking for a harder launch I wouldn't get the m-1, But would look at:
1) a throttle body
2) tri-y headers when available
3) Cold air intake
4) 4.56 gears if you can deal with the slightly higher rpms when cruising
5) MP performance Torque Converter
With these mods you should have enough low-end that getting off the line with out spinning will be a problem. If you still think your going to get a cam get the 1.6rr and a cam around 200 degrees at 0.50 lift. It'll give you more power from idle to redline.



Anthony G
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2002
09:26:46

RE: Cam question for 2002 RT
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Simply Power:Remove & Add

50MM F&B TB: Good throttle response!
FIPK2 K&N SYSTEM: Much better air supply

Amateur Power: Remove & Add & Adjust
recommend the non-adjustables
1.7 Roller ROCKERS: 3000 and up you'll notice it.

Complex:
KRC206 CAM or a KRC206X
Cam: Possibility that you might be able to get away with just taking the front off and slipping the cam in with the intake on. Professional required! I did it with the intake off, but seen some on other engine done with intake on, but the lifters could start to drop after a few hours(bad)
Very noticeable power mod :)

Costly Complex:

Gears: Not cheap and requires good skill to slim it correctly if not, it will make lots of noise and life could be shorten.

Stall: Removing the tranny from the engine is required, lots of work plus your be killing the stock power band.




2001RT
Dodge Dakota
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12/19/2002
17:32:01

RE: Cam question for 2002 RT
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Let's talk about this MP performance torque converter. How much? What does it add/reduce/change?



Neil
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2002
06:22:10

RE: Cam question for 2002 RT
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The same question was asked recently on the Durango Owners Club forum. Dan Arcand (Fastman) who does engine build ups posted the below information:

Re: Camshaft
Fastman
fastman@attbi.com

I have installed quite a few. There are many ways to go and variables. I will go over a brief explanation of daily street use cams that are popular.
The cam is the so called brain. The higher the duration the more power it can produce but at a higher rpm operating range. To do this it will take the power curve and shift it upwards.
So with our heavy vehicles that need lowend and shift point of 5200 we want a cam that will work within these parameters. A Performance PCM is pretty much a must for best results. (01 and newer need to get a custom PCM flash). We also have to keep a very unfriendly PCM happy that does not adapt well to radical changes.
Another factor to consider is the cam is a lot of work to remove and replace.
At this point many just replace the rocker arms with the higher lifting 1.7 ratio arms and see an OK noticeable gain in power. Combining that with an M1 2bbl Intake and TB is a nice Perf PCM friendly combo.
If you want to do the cam instead of the 1.7 rockers which is what I prefer we have a few options.
Mopar sells two cams and they will supposedly not void your vehicle warranty using there parts. The 204 duration CARB certified R/T cam which is a decent boost of power.
They also have a 208 duration grind called the R/T+. Supposed to make another 10HP.
If degreed in right I have found these to be pretty good grinds and OK PCM friendly. Once again I like to see a M1 2bbl Intake and TB with this combo.
Common aftermarket cams vendors normally sell are usually from CompCams and in the 206 and 210 range. Off the shelf they are ground on 112 lobe centers. 112 lobe center makes good power but they are not PCM friendly. They tend to run very rich on the lowend unless you have a piggyback controller to adjust the fuel curve. If going with the aftermarket cams I go with a custom grind.
To move up to the 214 and bigger range starts to move the operating powerband upwards. Depends where you want to be. You are starting to lose lowend power and moving past the 5200 rpm shift point of your transmission. These cams are starting to move into the hot street catagory. An aftermarket fuel curve controller is highly recommended in addition to the Perf PCM to keep the fuel curve right or you will have problems. Stall converters should be considered. You get the picture.
Most of my builds I run my ported heads. Ported heads make a smaller cam act bigger producing a very nice flat broad power band if ported right.
As you can see there is a few variables and things to consider when adding a cam.
The cam choice depends on your vehicles intended useage.
Mopars cams and Aftermarket cams in the 204-210 duration range ground on a 114 lobe center are decent for a nice gain daily street driving use.
Moving up to the 214+ range are hotter street use cams.
I wrote this with easy daily street use cams in mind. I hope it helps you.
Any questions just ask.
Fastman




Anthony G
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2002
09:31:01

RE: Cam question for 2002 RT
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I run a 206/210 112 480/512 cam with a 2001 stock PCM, It idles almost like stock with some lope, it produces power from idle to 5200 with ease while the exhaust sound seem more agressive.



POWER HUNGRY
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2002
21:17:32

RE: Cam question for 2002 RT
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2001RT,

KRC performance sells the mopar converter for $189. They say it drives like the stock converter but gives your truck a little kick launching off idle. Thier site says it'll cut .5-.7 off 1/4 mile times. They also have others that are for more aggressive set-ups.




98Durango5.9
Dodge Dakota
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2/15/2003
18:58:22

RE: Cam question for 2002 RT
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I know this is an old thread but ive been researching and was wondering Anthony how you like that cam and what the low end is like with it?



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