2004 Dodge Ram 2500 hemi cam
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
2004 Dodge Ram 2500 hemi cam
Hey guys so I’m trying to find the best cam I can get with out having to over haul the motor. I know I will do the springs and things like that but what’s the best cam I can get and specs and what should I get for building the heads? I have a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 hemi.
Record Breaker
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 262
Since you have a 2500 and you're sticking with stock displacement, my recommended parts list would be:
1. Comp 260 or a similar custom cam for torque. The 260 will only give you about 30hp peak but gives you much broader torque curve, much better than say the 268 or 273 which are more high rpm cams. If you could find a KRC210 or a Sidewinder those would be pretty good too.
2. Did you plan to get actual head work (P&P, bigger valves) done or just upgrade the springs? All aftermarket 3G hemi cams are based on the 6.1 cam base circle, which is different than the 5.7's. You'll need 16 6.1 EXHAUST springs (yes exhaust springs) to replace all your springs (or an equivalent aftermarket springs, but the OEM 6.1's are plenty strong plus cheaper), plus 6.1 intake and exhaust pushrods.
3. Always a good idea while everything is opened up for some longevity upgrades. 6.1 timing set and 6.1 oil pump or equivalent (like a Melling). No need for a super expensive adjustable timing set in this instance.
4. You can reuse your stock lifters; if you feel like you should replace them for mileage or what have you, you'll need to pull the heads. This will then add head gaskets and head bolts to the list (bolts are torque to yield and stretch too much for reliable reuse).
5. The 260 has been proven to run well on the Superchips 91 tune, but you will get so much more out of it with a custom tune.
This is a proven recipe for literally over a decade now for a head on, basic cam upgrade. There are a multitude of other things and upgrades that can be done at the same time but that is a deep expensive rabbit hole lol.
1. Comp 260 or a similar custom cam for torque. The 260 will only give you about 30hp peak but gives you much broader torque curve, much better than say the 268 or 273 which are more high rpm cams. If you could find a KRC210 or a Sidewinder those would be pretty good too.
2. Did you plan to get actual head work (P&P, bigger valves) done or just upgrade the springs? All aftermarket 3G hemi cams are based on the 6.1 cam base circle, which is different than the 5.7's. You'll need 16 6.1 EXHAUST springs (yes exhaust springs) to replace all your springs (or an equivalent aftermarket springs, but the OEM 6.1's are plenty strong plus cheaper), plus 6.1 intake and exhaust pushrods.
3. Always a good idea while everything is opened up for some longevity upgrades. 6.1 timing set and 6.1 oil pump or equivalent (like a Melling). No need for a super expensive adjustable timing set in this instance.
4. You can reuse your stock lifters; if you feel like you should replace them for mileage or what have you, you'll need to pull the heads. This will then add head gaskets and head bolts to the list (bolts are torque to yield and stretch too much for reliable reuse).
5. The 260 has been proven to run well on the Superchips 91 tune, but you will get so much more out of it with a custom tune.
This is a proven recipe for literally over a decade now for a head on, basic cam upgrade. There are a multitude of other things and upgrades that can be done at the same time but that is a deep expensive rabbit hole lol.
