Dodge Durango Forum II

Neil NJ 99-FR-FT4WD-5.9
franklinnl@nswccd.navy.mil

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