Putting a cam in a newer Dodge Ram

[Tilar]

I bought my boy a 97 Dodge Ram that has a blown 318. We pulled the 318 out of a 98 that I have and are going through it just a little. New gaskets and valve stem seals and going to paint it before we drop it in the 97. He is wanting to put a little bigger cam in it. De doesn't want anything real big, just something to give it a little lope. I'm thinking something around a 280 or 292 duration and nothing over a 500 lift.

We're not looking to add a bunch of horsepower or anything, it would be more for sound than anything and if we get some more ponies out of it then that's great. My question is what all would I have to do to make this run in this truck since it is all computer controlled?

[cdr]

Any cam that has a lope will KILL low end drivabilty on that truck. 

[440]

You could get mild towing cams that improve power a little bit and sound a little lumpier that I'm sure would work with the stock converter. If you went with a lopy cam a converter will bring back low end drivability, although you do lose towability with a bigger cam and converter.

[lukedukem]

You could get mild towing cams that improve power a little bit and sound a little lumpier that I'm sure would work with the stock converter. If you went with a lopy cam a converter will bring back low end drivability, although you do lose towability with a bigger cam and converter.

I bought my boy a 97 Dodge Ram that has a blown 318. We pulled the 318 out of a 98 that I have and are going through it just a little. New gaskets and valve stem seals and going to paint it before we drop it in the 97. He is wanting to put a little bigger cam in it. De doesn't want anything real big, just something to give it a little lope. I'm thinking something around a 280 or 292 duration and nothing over a 500 lift.

We're not looking to add a bunch of horsepower or anything, it would be more for sound than anything and if we get some more ponies out of it then that's great. My question is what all would I have to do to make this run in this truck since it is all computer controlled?

Also, I believe, don't quote me, but a lumpy cam would effect the vacuum and confuse the E.C.U., therefore, a tuner is necessary to re-program the E.C.U. to operate properly with this lower vacuum.
I vote for an RV-towing cam, upgrade the ignition, cap and wires and maybe cold air intake.

Luke

[Tilar]

It's a standard transmission truck if that makes any difference...