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RED97KOTA
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2002
20:09:34
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 Subject: Which cam for 5.2L and why??
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I am replacing the cam in my 5.2L 97 Dakota SWB, it has the following mods already, fresh air intake, flowmaster exhaust (stock manifolds), 180 stat and Mopar PCM and shift kit. It has the stock rear axle (3.92 posi). I have already ordered the M1 2bbl intake and plan on using either the extra large turtle or large turtle?? I was looking at the following cams, comp cams 20-602-8, and the Hughes HER0814AL or 9204AL cam or the KRC 206 (which I think is the same specs as the comp cams??). The heads are off and will get a 3 angle valve job and pocket clean up along with new springs,(will the stock retainers work with the d/c springs??). Are there any cons to using high lift cams as far as durability is concerned? Are these cams fairly mild with good manners? I am looking for strong mid range torque (2500-4800) range...
Thanks and Merry Christmas!
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POWER HUNGRY
Dodge Dakota
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12/20/2002
21:05:21
|  RE: Which cam for 5.2L and why??
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All the cams you have named are mild and the Krc cam is the comps cam. Since you have the M-1 I wouldn't consider the 9204AL cam since it's too small(designed for a low rpm range) and would be better with the stock manifold/setup.
Rtxpres has the 1418 hughes cam ans says "On my '92 5.2 automatic, I switched from the r/t cam to a hughes 1418 (214/218 duration, .520/.544 lift) and added the M1 2bbl at the same time. On average I picked up 3 tenths and 3+ mph in the quarter. No loss in driveability or gas mileage. Runs best when shifted at 5800-6000. Best run with this combo is 13.74 @ 99.88. This hughes cam idles almost like the r/t cam and has a broad power band, 2000-5800, so it's nice on the street, especially with the M1 2-bbl. It pulls noticeably harder than the r/t cam above 5000 and though I usually shift at 5800 I have run it over 6000 on occassion and it's still pulling. I use 92 octane fuel." His truck specs and pics can be found at: http://www.dragtruk.com/ENTRIES/20KM1FD2KWBP.html
This is the cam/size I'm thinking about getting after reading posts and researching. WWW.dragtruck.com is a good site to check out to compare peoples mods with the gains they get.
As for reliability, If your getting springs made for the cam's specs I don't see a problem. The real strain is in the high rpms 5500+. Roller rockers are the only must have and new push rods are a good insurance buy, might be needed anyway.
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RED97KOTA
Dodge Dakota
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12/25/2002
21:07:58
| RE: Which cam for 5.2L and why??
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Thanks PH, looks like I am going to order either the comp cams or the her0814al hughes, I bought a set of springs and retainers today. I looked at the cam you are talking about and thought it may be a little too hot for a daily driver. Where do I get the turtle??
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91DakotaFreak
Dodge Dakota
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12/25/2002
21:24:42
| RE: Which cam for 5.2L and why??
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Power Hungry do you know what kind of gains and or losses i might see if i get a Hughes HE1423AL cam for my 91 318 with the 5.9L TBI with 318 injectors. I am planning on putting hooker Super Comp headers on it in the spring and at some point buying a Edlebrok intake and making an adapter for my TBI unit. thanks
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POWER HUNGRY
Dodge Dakota
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12/26/2002
00:31:08
| RE: Which cam for 5.2L and why??
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RED97KOTA,
I don't know how the guy is that makes the turtles, but I have seen posts where they say how to get in touch with him.
91DakotaFreak,
I was looking up the specs. on yours(91') vs. mine(93')318, and this is what I found.
91' 93'
Comp. ratio 9.2:1 9.1:1
stock hp 170@4000 230@4800
stock TQ 260@2000 280@3200
cams hyd.252/252/33 hyd.roller 264/250/31
The heads are different in that the magnums have larger valves and a higher flow rate than LA engines. The head flow and the Tbi setup will lower the rpm range compared to the magnums 1418 cam of similar specs. The 1423 cam will have a rougher idle since the exhaust dur. is longer and lobe sep. angle is less. I would get a set of RR for reliabiltiy at higher valve lift and rpms. I would get 3.91 gears if you don't have them already and a TQ converter. If you can live with slightly less off idle power and a bigger top end I'd say go for it. From what I can see from the cam specs with the headers and a cold air intake it should put at 93' power specs.
good luck and keep us informed on your progress.
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91DakotaFreak
Dodge Dakota
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12/26/2002
11:03:22
| RE: Which cam for 5.2L and why??
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If i do change the cam should i go with roller rockers? Also should i have the heads ported and polished at the same time? This is still my daily driver and im not wanting to sacrifice alot of drivibility. Would it also be wise to change the ingnition on it to an msd if so what one? My goal is to get this to be a normally aspirated truck into the 12's or lower. I currently have 3.55 Sure grip diff and the A500 with a 1800stall (stock) If i were to do the converter and go with a 2500 what would that do to my drivibility etc. Thanks
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POWER HUNGRY
Dodge Dakota
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12/26/2002
21:07:16
| RE: Which cam for 5.2L and why??
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I would definitely get the roller rockers.
What I meant by less low end was verses your stock motor which makes it's power idle-4000. I think the new cam would have less Tq up to about 2grand then take off like you dropped two gears.
As for the rear gears I thought you might have the 3spd 904 trans and 3.91 is the lowest I'd go with it. Since you have the a500 I'd go with at least 4.10s, 4.56s if you really want to blow the tires off. With 215/75/R15 tires in OD( 2290 rpms @60mph with 4.56s,2060 RPMS @ 60 MPH with 4.10) 4.56s even with the stock motor should easily smoke the tires threw first gear!
As for the TQ converter, www.krcperformance.com says,"the Mopar Performance 5007299 and the Precision Industries Viper converter. Both are excellent fully streetable converters. Towing? Stick with the Mopar converter, shaving .5 to .7 off of your times?" A shift kit would be a good idea also(extends the life span of the trans). If you could definitely get a valve job and bowl work done to the heads, BIG HELP. Polishing is a waste of money for a street truck, plus If you want to do that much you should look into aftermarket heads as a good place to start. The stock heads mildly ported will most like only get you into the mid 13's before they require too much work to be cost effective. Edelbrock alum., Mopar commando heads or even W2 would be a better choice to start with if your shooting for low/mid 12s.
Normally Aspirated 318 running 12's is not a streetable daily driver at all, or legal. You would need 8+lbs. of boost or 100+shot of nitrous for low 12's. Low 13's or maybe high 12 could be done but would require changing almost or everything in your truck to do it $$$. High 12's would take a good amount of weight reduction and a complete setup$$$ or a stroker motor$$$. A low 12 sec 318 auto dakota would probably idle around 1000+rpms cruise at 4000 and need to rev to 7000. Not very streetable plus BIG$$$.
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Tom Slick
GenII
12/26/2002
21:23:36
|  RE: Which cam for 5.2L and why??
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I've got the Kammer Racing 512-512 cam in my Dakota and It's running very strong!!
I had trouble maintaining traction the whole time I was up in Dallas this last week...
Later!
Tom "Slick"
96 Dakota Sport 5.2 RC SB
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91DakotaFreak
Dodge Dakota
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12/26/2002
22:33:43
| RE: Which cam for 5.2L and why??
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Power Hungry are you talking about keeping it tbi for the streetable use to get it into the 12's i was thinking about going with a carb and go from there If that would help get it into the 12's. im looking to go without boost and juice to do so the other thing i might go with is a 390 stroker kit from hughes but i dont know to much about that yet. I currently have 98900 on it and its not burning any oil or leaking anything. As for smoking the tires I have 235/75/r15 and can easily roast them into 3rd gear. If I were to change to the hughes cam what would that do to my mpg o am currently getting 11-12mpg but i also do alot of city/highway driving and i do most of that at 60 where i run approx: 1800-1900rpm Also if i am reading my stiker right i weigh in at 3900lbs What would i need to do to lose some of that weight. Also what shift kit should i go with. Im not wanting something that will be to harsh and snap my neck everytime i shift. Overall if i go with my 360 tbi with 318 injectors the hughes cam and headers change the gears to 4.10s and run 215/75/r15 with a shift kit and possible new intake off of a 360 or edlebrock performer intake with adapter for the tbi what lind of gains in hp/tq be and what would happen to my mpg
Thanks
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carter
Dodge Dakota
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12/27/2002
19:20:25
| RE: Which cam for 5.2L and why??
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I have the new cam mopar offers the 272/278 duration .467/.482 lift cam. I have the stock intake and I put a set of headers on it and it runs very strong. I only have 2100 miles on it since I built it and put it in my 95 dakota. The 3.9 just wasn't enough. but I am really pleased with that cam.
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RED97KOTA
Dodge Dakota
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12/27/2002
20:17:01
| RE: Which cam for 5.2L and why??
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Hey Carter, how are the manners on that cam, my Dakota is a 97 so its somewhat heavier than yours. I was also looking at that cam as well as the others I listed in my original post. I don't want to sacrifice drivability too much. Did you change the springs and rockers??
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POWER HUNGRY
Dodge Dakota
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12/27/2002
21:27:39
| RE: Which cam for 5.2L and why??
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I was thinking about some form of fuel injection since you said you want to get an edelbrock manifold and make an adapter for the tbi. The carb/high-rise manifold route will make it easier and cheaper to do.
Any, all motor 318 that runs 12s will have sacrifices toward its use as a daily driver. I think the stroker or short block route is a must since your current motor's internals will be a reliability issue. No matter what anyone tells you, high rpms are the hardest thing on any engine. The stock rod 318 rods won't last long at the rpms you'll need to turn to make enough power.
The tire size I gave in my example was only for a diameter reference. I would try to fit the largest tires you could fit on your truck, especially on the back(except in winter). Since you want to run that low an ET you will need slicks anyway.
The guy that has the magnum equivalent of that cam didn't notice an change in mpg. I think the gear change will counteract the cams thirst, allowing you to give it less throttle when going easy. Here are some links to trucks like yours that run 12s.
http://www.dragtruck.com/ENTRIES/L368OZSFBU3R.html
http://www.dragtruck.com/ENTRIES/jeandrolet.html
http://www.dragtruck.com/ENTRIES/millerscott.html
http://www.dragtruck.com/ENTRIES/pethoalex.html
Two things you'll notice is that thier 360+ci and have really big cams (240s+@ 0.50)probably solid lifter cams too. They would barely idle, would be a mild/warm weather car only, probably over heat in traffic and get under 10mpg on 93+octane fuel.
Most fast 318-360 all-motor street dakotas run in the mid-high 13s at around 100mph.
I would get that cam if I were you, since it'll work with your current set-up and has the potential for more down the road.
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91DakotaFreak
Dodge Dakota
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12/27/2002
22:08:49
| RE: Which cam for 5.2L and why??
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Ok So i should get that cam and i should be up to par with the magnums and not see much of a change in my mpg. thats kool But the only other thing that i am worried about is if it would work with the stock computer. I have heard that some mods wont work with the 91 computer and that if i went with a certain mod that i would have to get a magnum or go carberated. is this true???
Thanks
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POWER HUNGRY
Dodge Dakota
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12/27/2002
23:21:53
|  RE: Which cam for 5.2L and why??
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That kind of stuff I'm not exactly sure. You might want to contact krc performance and get thier opinion.
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91DakotaFreak
Dodge Dakota
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12/28/2002
13:31:27
| RE: Which cam for 5.2L and why??
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do you have a phone # or web site that I could contact them at?
THanks for you help
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dakdtp
Dodge Dakota
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12/28/2002
14:16:52
| RE: Which cam for 5.2L and why??
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contact Marty at KRC performance. He has a screamer 318 that runs 12's all motor and is a daily driver. It also has 3.55 gears in it.
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POWER HUNGRY
Dodge Dakota
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12/28/2002
14:27:36
|  RE: Which cam for 5.2L and why??
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The site is www.krcperformance.com
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