Camshaft Recommendation
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 28
Likes: 1
Camshaft Recommendation
I am jumping in to my first diesel rebuild for my 2002 F350 Crew Cab DRW Auto Transmission. My OE cam looks pretty good but while i'm in there, i was considering an aftermarket cam. I am doing an essentially stock rebuild. Truck gets lots of highway miles and don't pull heavy very often. I don't intend to do a lot of power upgrades for fear of compromising durability and reliability. Better fuel economy is a concern.
What are your recommendations or experiences?
What are your recommendations or experiences?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 972
Likes: 359
From: Glendale, AZ
I don't know that many people change cams.
Its usually more efficient money wise for most people to swap or upgrade the turbos and injectors.
But I'm interested to see what you come up with.
Its usually more efficient money wise for most people to swap or upgrade the turbos and injectors.
But I'm interested to see what you come up with.
It's a Van Gogh
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,813
Likes: 1,335
From: Elk Grove, CA
For a 7.3 build there is no need of a camshaft. It's all injectors and turbo and tuning. Diesel is a very different world than gas.
Cams matter in gas engines that rev high. 7.3 will max out at like 3500 RPM.
Gas engine needs cam time open to allow more air/fuel. 7.3 you simply inject more fuel with bigger injectors with tuning to match. Then get enough air for proper combustion with more turbo.
Cams matter in gas engines that rev high. 7.3 will max out at like 3500 RPM.
Gas engine needs cam time open to allow more air/fuel. 7.3 you simply inject more fuel with bigger injectors with tuning to match. Then get enough air for proper combustion with more turbo.
Last edited by aawlberninf350; Oct 30, 2025 at 02:54 AM.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 293
Likes: 119
For a 7.3 build there is no need of a camshaft. It's all injectors and turbo and tuning. Diesel is a very different world than gas.
Cams matter in gas engines that rev high. 7.3 will max out at like 3500 RPM.
Gas engine needs cam time open to allow more air/fuel. 7.3 you simply inject more fuel with bigger injectors with tuning to match. Then get enough air for proper combustion with more turbo.
Cams matter in gas engines that rev high. 7.3 will max out at like 3500 RPM.
Gas engine needs cam time open to allow more air/fuel. 7.3 you simply inject more fuel with bigger injectors with tuning to match. Then get enough air for proper combustion with more turbo.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,024
Likes: 525
From: Bottom Of Pikes Peak
Stick with a stock camshaft....however I faintly remember they are no longer available which is why more are asking, but I could be extremely mistaken.
I run a colt cam and I can tell you I lost bottom end torque over a stock cam. You will not get any of the gains claimed from these cams...they don't help egts, fuel economy etc.
As mentioned, upgraded springs/ push rods is worth it
I run a colt cam and I can tell you I lost bottom end torque over a stock cam. You will not get any of the gains claimed from these cams...they don't help egts, fuel economy etc.
As mentioned, upgraded springs/ push rods is worth it
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 834
Likes: 125
From: CSRA, SC
If you wanted to do something dumb like spin this thing to 4500rpm yeah, a cam swap might help, but you'd be in it deep trying to get enough fuel in the hole to make torque at that speed with HEUI sticks.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: knoxville, tn
Stick with a stock camshaft....however I faintly remember they are no longer available which is why more are asking, but I could be extremely mistaken.
I run a colt cam and I can tell you I lost bottom end torque over a stock cam. You will not get any of the gains claimed from these cams...they don't help egts, fuel economy etc.
As mentioned, upgraded springs/ push rods is worth it
I run a colt cam and I can tell you I lost bottom end torque over a stock cam. You will not get any of the gains claimed from these cams...they don't help egts, fuel economy etc.
As mentioned, upgraded springs/ push rods is worth it
that is nice feedback on the Colt cam. Few have ran it and fewer have given good feedback on how it does.
if the truck will be fairly stock, then the stock cam is the best option.
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