Hey everyone,
I am contemplating putting in a new camshaft, however, I want to retain my MDS. I can't use the 6.1 cam because it isn't an MDS cam. But there are new cams from Crane, Comp, and a cam at HHP all have a stage 1 cam that looks like it will work with MDS giving around 30 HP. Anyone out there having installed a stage 1 cam from any of these suppliers? Can you use the stock springs? What do you think of the cam after running it? Does it play nice with the MDS?
I know there are three stages of cams and although the stage 2 cam looks nastier at 45 HP, I don't want to have a 5.7 getting 6.1 milage. The stage 3 cam at 60 HP sounds awsome, but I don't want to have to run around at 4500+ RPMs all day long. The stage 1 looks the best for me.
I know I need to upgrade the exhaust headersto compensate the new cam breathing, so that will be done then too.

Thanks for any info you have.


MN

 

I put a KRC 212 lx into mine.

You can use stock springs but if you going to rev high go ahead and swap them just for a little insurance. You can go w/CompCam Behive springs or 6.1 springs (<= I helped someone last weekend install these in their 5.7).

Also change out the rods ot 6.1 rods. They are about .5" longer and will lessen the chatter (<= also did this last weekend, they worked nicely).

With a SuperChips 91 tune it worked nicely with the KRC 212 lx cam. There are several others out there you shood look at. A sidewinder from Frank Racing is another good MDS cam.

I saw about a 25HP gain from that KRC cam.

 

KRC, eh? Don't know much about them. I'll Google them...
Yes, behive are the way to go, sounds good, I agree.
Change out the rods? Doesn't this affect the MDS? Also, aren't the intake rods different than the exhaust rods (length)? Which do I change out?Both the intake and exhaust?
25 HPeh? Sounds good.

Jes, Mango, your Charger must just haul as*!

Thanks

 

Those other CAM grinds are spec'ed around a 6.1 center so the 6.1 rods are what is really needed. If you go w/5.7 rods there will more chatter in the rods/lifters. Ineed to swap my 5.7 rods out for the 6.1.

Yes both intake/exhaust rods.

Me and a friend here in DFW swapped camslast weekend in his GoManGo . He put in the sidewinder cam/6.1 springs and rods mentioned earlier. We pull the intake and heads to swap the springs. I left my heads in to swap the springs but I would say pull the heads to do this. We also took off the headers and found a couple small leaks there which was taken care of when we put them back on, it was so easy to get to every bolt. You pull the header & head out as one assembly.

 

Here are the cam grinds.

KRC 212 LX Hemi
212/216-490/493 114

Sidewinder
212/212-525/525 114

<edit>
The 6.1 rods take up the slop from the smaller base circle cam on a 5.7 with stock heads. If you modify the heads then you will need the shorter rods.

 

Mango,
I've seen your post, thank you.
I have also seen this one from Comp Cams (similiar to Crane Cams):

Comp Cams Stage 1: 208/212 522/525113 with31 HP reported (Sidewinder specs)

I appreciate your insight about the install process -- excellent.

I would really like to use the Stage 2, but I think it isn't an MDS cam.

( Stage 2: 216/220 528/531 113 with 47 HP) a real strong mid-range cam.

I know, I know:more isn't better, more isn't better...


MN

 

Yes there are a lot of manufacture choices now, so pick you poison LOL

I'm sure you understand lift is the only thing that affects MDS.

Keeping MDS is a tough choice... more is better but comes at a cost. Does that cost out weigh your goal, good luck deliberating

 

Mango,
How much lift will the MDS take? If the Sidewinder is OK for MDS at 525 lift, would it take the Stage 2 cam at 528/531?

 

Some say the maximum lift is.600

 

I miss informed you on my pm. I didn't see what you need there but they still might be able to help. If not try http://sharadon.com/newhemi.htmor www.thehemishop.com . Don't know what their prices are like but if you were willing to do a complete motor swap then heads and a cam would be a brease.