Best Cam for 5.7 Hemi Ram – [ TOP 8 PICKS ]

A camshaft is a fundamental component of any engine. It acts to control the valves. It calibrates the amount of mixture of air and fuel that enters the chamber and controls how efficiently the burnt exhaust gas from the previous ignition cycle can exit the chamber to make way for the next charge.

The camshaft is critical to the operation of an engine and has a significant effect on the engine’s performance. To make sure the timing is just right, the camshaft is connected to the crankshaft with a timing chain or belt and controls the crankshaft’s movement, which is primarily moving the pistons inside the cylinder.

Have a QUICK glimpse on our top 8 bests among 150+ cams reviewed below. 

Do note that these products are not ranked but included in our list as top 8s for their specialized features. Check which one meets your model and queries.

Best Cam for 5.7 Hemi Ram Review

Because of the wide variety of collections presented in front of us, it isn't easy to choose the most suitable cam for our car. So, we have prepared a comprehensive guide to help you choose the best cam for 5.7 Hemi ram. 

1. GELUOXI HEMI Engine Camshaft

It also fits the new Dodge Durango, which was initially based on the structure of the Grand Cherokee Platform 2011.

Fitting this camshaft into a dodge engine will have its maximum speed and peak power even as much as 25%. Even at low torque, the speed will also be increased, which will provide better drivability and handling. The engine’s exhaust gas recirculation will also be enhanced by using this camshaft.

It is also very economical in terms of fuel use. But, that does not mean it will rob us of the thrill of enjoying the total horsepower. It will save fuel while the car is in cruise mode and let us go wild when we put our foot down.

Compatible Models:

Major Features:

What we liked about it:

This camshaft increases the power of the engine and its drivability while keeping our wallet from crying out by improving the engine’s fuel economy. Its up-front sale price is comparatively much less high, making one of the best camshafts for 5.7 Remi ham.

Note to Enthusiasts:

If we were to grade this camshaft, we would give it an ‘A.’ That is because this camshaft offers the highest performance while maintaining a low cost, both in the short term and the long term. We would recommend using this camshaft for your engine, provided that it fits your vehicle.

2. Comp Cams Hydraulic Roller Cams

This camshaft is fine-tuned for EFI applications. This allows it to go by without needing the extra airflow signal through the carburetor. It also provides the engine with a better performance. This camshaft comes equipped with a wider lobe separation. Owing to that additional width, this camshaft creates more vacuum.

As a result, it increases the car’s total power and improves the powerband.

It works considerably well with aftermarket heads. Being tuned for EFI applications, it also provides a remarkable improvement in EFI equipped vehicle’s performance. Also engineered for beehive valve spring and 1.6:1 ratio rocker arms, this camp offers a tremendous increase in both horsepower and torque, making it a perfect candidate in the list for the best cam for 5.7 Hemi ram.

Compatible Models:

Major Features:

What we liked about it

Its lifts are improved without changing the cam much by using the 1.6:1 rocker arms. As a result, we get a wider powerband from the engine and are accompanied by an increase in the torque, which gives the vehicle better handling and drivability.

A Note to Enthusiasts:

This particular roller camshaft has a low idle stalling. It will need some moderate tuning modifications.

3. Comp Cams 201-300-17 NSR HRT 

So, the need to replace the valve springs is minimized. It provides the engine with the power to pull a heavy load. So, it is excellent for heavier vehicles. And owing to its higher torque, it has an excellent throttle response.

This HRT camshaft includes similar lobe profiles designed to amplify horsepower to the limit while providing improved stability at a higher RPM range. After undergoing months of rigorous testing, the HRT camshaft profiles are designed to outperform its competitors and dominate the market.

Compatible Models:

Major Features:

What we liked about it:

If you are using a more massive vehicle, this camshaft is just right for you. It also has a great throttle response, which gives it good drivability as well. The main thing that has made us put it into our list for best camshaft for 5.7 Hemi is that it ensures the best performance no matter what the engine displacement is.

A Note to Enthusiasts:

It does not work with any MDS and is designed for VVT vehicles. Also, it is not suitable for racing purposes.

4. Mopar 5302 2263AF HEMI CAM

The MDS applies oil pressure to disengage and engage valve lifters to keep the four cylinders completely shut-off. While it may save up oil consumption, it has some backlashes as well. With the employment of the MDS comes along misfires and mechanic noises. Sometimes one of the cylinders fails to deactivate entirely after getting some mileage on the system. According to some users, the transition from the regular to the powered-down mode can be felt, which robs us of the feeling of power we want to get from our mechanical beasts.

On the other hand, the variable valve timing offers better torque and power output while maintaining an improved fuel economy. It is also easier on the emissions. So, for those who want to get rid of all the disadvantages of the MDS while retaining all the advantages of the VVT, this kit is the most optimal one.

Compatible Models:

Major Features:

What we liked about it:

This particular camshaft lets us enjoy the outstanding advantages of the variable valve timing feature while removing the disadvantages of the multiple displacement system.

A Note to Enthusiasts:

We need to tune inside the ECU to disable the MD system.

6. Geluoxi 5.7 Hemi Engine Camshaft for 2009-2018 Dodge

This camshaft has been tried and tested and proven to operate optimally regularly. That is why this camshaft has been added to our list for the best cam for 5.7 Hemi ram.

Compatible Models:

Major Features:

What we liked about it:

This particular model improves fuel economy while increasing engine power.

A Note to Enthusiasts:

This model is strictly built for Dodge vehicles and is one of the best cams for 5.7 Hemi Challenger.

7. Geluoxi MDS Camshaft and Lifters Kit

It also fits the new Dodge Durango, which was originally based on the structure of the Grand Cherokee Platform 2011.

All the components of this set are tried and tested and are proven to meet even the strictest standard. This unit will make our car run as if it were brand new while ensuring a long lifespan making it the best cam for 5.7 Hemi ram.

Compatible Models:

Major Features:

What we liked about it:

We can use this camshaft for our engine with confidence as it has been proven to work optimally while improving our fuel economy and engine longevity.

A Note to Enthusiasts:

This camshaft needs to be broken into so it will be a little noisy for the first hour or so.

8. Niceke Hemi Lifters with MDS Camshaft

It offers these incredible features at a reasonable price. It includes 5.7 Hemi cam and lifter kits, including 5.7 Hemi heads. The multiple displacement system improves fuel economy while prolonging the mortal coil of the engine by increasing efficiency. So, if you are looking for the best cam for 5.7 Hemi ram, this can be your go-to part.

Compatible Models:

Major Features:

What we liked about it:

This camshaft has been built with excellent quality parts that increase torque and horsepower for 5.7 Hemi, and its integrated MDS system improves fuel economy.

A Note to Enthusiasts:

It will be better to install this part with the help of professionals to ensure the best result.

Things to consider before buying a cam for 5.7 Hemi ram

When it comes to constructing a powerful engine, the parts choice has a hierarchy from most to least critical. Even not that many days ago, there was a philosophy amongst enthusiasts, the bigger, the better.

The outcome was an over cammed engine that sounded good and could crank ridiculous high-end power but could not idle and was not very street-friendly. The part that sets the limit of the engine’s power potential is the cylinder heads, and the part that determines how well they would work on any engine combos is the camshaft.

The selection of the camshaft is crucial to the engine. Just as the correct camshaft can make the engine, the wrong one can break it. Excellent cylinder heads airflow will mean nothing if the camshaft is not making the valves open high enough, at the right time, long enough, or in the optimal relation to one another.

When we are going to buy a camshaft for the 5.7 Hemi ram, there are few factors that we need to consider. They are as follows.

Compatibility

Before we decide to buy a camshaft after learning how mouth-watering its performance is, we have to check whether the camshaft is compatible with our vehicle. Otherwise, purchasing an incompatible camshaft would end up in vain.
So, we would have to make sure that the camshaft we are buying compatible with our vehicle. We can do that from our car's specification and the information from the page containing the product’s detail.

Performance

In the case that we are looking for any specific builds, we can check the camshaft’s performance rating to know the amount of horsepower it will offer and the torque we need to invest in it. High-end cams provide more torque, better performance, and a more excellent RPM range.

Lift

This term refers to the displacement of the valve from its seat in the cylinder. Lift is measured in inches. Two types of lifts are generally referred to, Gross and Lobe.

The gross lift is the multiplication of the rocker ratio and the lobe lift. It gives us a sufficient lift the valve gets.

The lobe lift is the original size of the lobe on the camshaft when it is measured at the nose of the lobe.

Duration

While valve displacement is referred to by lifts, durations lets us know how long the cam is open in degrees of crank rotation. There are two forms of measurement, the duration when the lift is as 0.50 inches and the advertised duration.

Lobe Separation Angle (LSA)

It is also known as lobe spread, lobe displacement angle (LDA). It shows how the exhaust lobes and the intake are phased with one another. LSA is measured in degrees of the camshaft. It denotes the distance between the apex of the lift on the exhaust lobe and the axis point of peak lift on the intake lobe.
The LSA tells us how the lobes relate to each other on a cylinder and the amount of overlap present there.

Installed Centerline Angle (ICA)

t is a measurement of the respective position of the engine’s crankshaft position vs. the timing of the camshaft. It is measured by the crank degrees from TDC, and the camshaft’s intake lobe reaches the max lift at that.

How to Install a Camshaft

While the camshaft’s installation may vary depending on the engines and model, this is the general process.

Taking the Valve Cover off

First, we have to remove the radiator fan shroud. And then we have to take the radiator off and pull the water pump off the engines. After pulling off the water pump, we have to disconnect linkages, vacuum, and the fuel lines from the intake manifold and carburetor.

After removing the manifold off the bolts, we have to pull the valve covers off.

Taking the Cam out of the Block

We have to install a bolt in the front side of the camshaft and then carefully wiggle the cam out of the block so it is not damaged.

Installing the Valve Covers with New Gaskets

After the intake lifter has reached full-lift, we have to tighten the exhaust rocker’s nuts till the plunger begins to go down. After that, we have to tighten the nut a left-turn more and lock it in place. Now, we have to do it for all the other rocker forms. And finally, we can install the valve covers with new gaskets.

Breaking in the Camshaft

Finally, we have to reconnect all fuel lines, electrical connections, vacuum lines, and linkages. If the engine does not start, we have to loosen the distributor bolt and rotate it to adjust it to the instructed timing. Now, we can break in our camshaft and take it for a drive.

Different types of the cam for 5.7 Hemi ram

The lifters have a straightforward job. It is to work between the camshaft and the pushrods to assist in opening the valve. Two major types of camshafts are flat-tappet cams and roller cams.

Flat Tappet

The primary distinction between a flat tappet and a roller cam is how they interact with the lifter. The flat tappet is named as such as the surface of the lifter seems to be a flat plane. While in reality, it is a little bit on the convex side, which helps the tappet rotate when the camshaft lobe slides across it. If the lifter fails to rotate, the result would be an overly accelerated cam, and the lifters would wear, which will gradually lead to failure.

Flat tappets are mostly limited by RPM and spring load. If they are used in high performance, they lose the longevity of their parts. Do note that flat tappets are relatively less expensive. Their cheaper cost is due to their less complicated design.

Roller Cam

The roller cam has a look similar to that of a small caster. Unlike the flat tappet, the wheel rolls across the camshaft lobe. So, it is not necessary to spin to reduce wear. The roller lifters are, without exception, keyed in its place through the link bars that attach or by the lifter bores.

Roller cams can reach much higher RPM and can tolerate comparatively higher spring loads due to different mechanisms of the cam lobe and the wheel. It also does not need a conventional break-in, unlike the flat tappet. Without the need for a break-in, the possibility of early engine failure is eliminated. Whereas, without ensuring a proper break-in, the flat tappets may have a reduced lifespan.

Within the two categories mentioned above, there are two options available.

The primary tradeoff between a solid camshaft and a hydraulic is increased maintenance and wear versus RPM and valve lift potential. The main difference between these camshafts is vastly in the design of the lifter.

Hydraulic Cams

Hydraulic cams generally use a lifter that includes an internal mechanism, and this mechanism consistently maintains a lash-free valvetrain. This feature helps in making the valvetrain maintenance-free and quiet. Unfortunately, this feature limits the valvetrain to an RPM of 6500. It can lead to the valvetrain and the valve float is becoming unstable as the hydraulic insides can begin to compress when they are overstressed.

Solid Cams

On the other hand, solid camshafts’ lifter has no such internal mechanism. The lack of such mechanisms allows them an extremely precise transfer of the camshaft profile to the valvetrain. This accurate transfer will enable them to reach a higher RPM but keeps them vulnerable to regular wear, leading to increased maintenance.
Without the periodic valve lash maintenance, there can be an occurrence of engine damage. As the cam profile is directly transferred to the valve train, causing no dumping, this can also increase the chances of valve wear. As a result, the solid cams have a shorter lifespan than hydraulic cams.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The camshaft is a very delicate matter to deal with. Hence, there remain some questions even after the descriptive discussion about it. So, we are going to talk about the most asked questions in this part of the article.

What is the primary purpose of a camshaft?

The camshaft works as a timing device. It controls the closing and opening of the exhaust and intake valves. It also sets the overlap of the valve that takes place at the top dead center (TDC) on the exhaust stroke.

The shaft is built with various journals. These journals ride on the bearings that are within the engine. It has lobes that are shaped like eggs, and these egg-shaped lobes actuate the valvetrain. The lobes actuate the valvetrain by either moving the pushrods and lifters or by directly pushing on the valve stems.

The camshaft is secured to the crankshaft rotation by a timing belt, timing chain, or timing gears. If there is any failure in the camshaft drive, that can cause the valves to get in touch with the piston crowns, which would result in extensive internal damage.

What is the difference between a Crankshaft and a Camshaft?

The camshaft is made by casting cast iron or steel, whereas the crankshaft is usually made by forging alloy steel. They are situated on the opposite sides of the cylinder, where the camshaft is located above the cylinder, and the crankshaft is located under it.

They have different functions. The camshaft controls the closing and opening of the valves, whereas the crankshaft converts the piston’s reciprocating motion into a rotary motion.

The timing belt that is attached to the crankshaft rotates it while the pistons rotate the camshaft.

What are the signs to notice that my camshaft is going bad?

Several signs can tell us if our camshaft is degrading. Some are discussed below.

Check engine light lights up: When the camshaft has issues, our check engine light in our dashboard will light up. Do note that the check engine light could indicate any other problems as well.

Ignition problems: When the camshaft position sensor starts to have problems, the signal transmitted to the car’s computer weakens. This will eventually make the signal so weak that the car will not start as there is no spark from the ignition.

Car surging or jerking: If the camshaft starts failing, the engine at times will randomly lose power, causing the car to surge forward or jerk suddenly.

Engine stalling: The engine may stall or shut off while driving as the fuel injectors are no longer injecting fuel into the cylinders.

Poor acceleration: When the camshaft starts to fail, our vehicle will not be able to accelerate properly.

Problems while shifting: In some models, the transmission gets stuck in one place when the camshaft starts to go bad. There is a temporary solution for this, which is to restart the car.

Bad fuel mileage: Sometimes, because of the faulty camshaft, more fuel than the necessary amount will be injected into the engine, causing a drop in the fuel economy.

Faulty Idling: The vehicle starts to idle roughly. While in idle mode, the engine makes rough or uneven noise. This may point to a defective camshaft.

Does the camshaft increase the horsepower of the engine?

Yes, the camshaft does increase the horsepower output of the engine or the performance of the machine. What it does is that the camshaft increases the duration and improves the timing of the valve opening. This increases the output horsepower of the car and makes the car accelerate slightly faster. Do note that the vehicle might idle marginally rougher.

What is the lifespan of a camshaft?

A camshaft has a very close relationship with the engine. It begins to wear the moment the machine is used for the first time. From this, we can tell that the camshaft lasts at least as much as the engine.

If we maintain the crankshaft properly and service it according to the instructions, the camshaft will live as long as the engine does. Before, a car’s engine would last for 150,000 miles, and now with the help of improved technology and better service standards, they last for 200,000 miles on average.

What does the camshaft position sensor do?

The camshaft position sensor usually monitors the rotation of the camshaft. It primarily targets the valve’s opening and closing. It works with the crankshaft sensor to denote the particular position of the crankshaft drive. In most cases, the camshaft sensor is mounted on top of a notched ring on the camshaft. The camshaft uses a magnet to vary or produce an AC electronic signal that is used in co-occurrence with a crankshaft sensor to define when a position approaches TDC on the compression stroke. This helps in fine-tuning the injector pulse and spark timing.

What causes damage to the camshaft sensor?

The camshaft sensor remains operational as long as the engine is running. This can cause the camshaft sensor to wear over time. The ring gear can also become insufficient over time and obstruct the readings.

The camshaft sensor can also face some damage if it is exposed to water as it is a mechanical and an electronic device. Mechanical damage to the wires or the sensor can also cause it to lag or shut down completely. Apart from these, internal short circuits can also cause the chips of the sensor to become defective. Furthermore, fractures in the encoder wheel may cause the sensor to go bad. The case of a problem arising in the connection between the control unit and the sensor may cause the sensor to fail.

How do I check my camshaft position sensor?

To check the camshaft sensor, we are going to need a multimeter. The multimeter is a device that can read different types of electrical inputs and give us the output in digitals. We can use it to test the value of the resistors, to check the connectivity between the wires, the current power, test the battery volts, etc.

Now to check the camshaft position sensor, we can follow these steps.

Locating and Removing the Sensor: The sensor is located near the crankshaft, and it is positioned just above the cylinder heads. The camshaft sensor is easily accessible so that we can reach it easily.

Unscrewing the Plugs and Bolts: We can use a socket wrench to remove the plugs and bolts. The sensor is also connected to the ignition systems with the help of some wires. We have to remove them as well.

Use the Multimeter: We have to connect the camshaft sensor to the multimeter and then set it to low resistance function or diode. Then we need to take a magnet and move it several times in front of it. If there is a drastic change in the readings, we can say that the sensor is working.

How much does it cost to repair or replace a camshaft?

If the camshaft is in poor condition, the engine will no longer be able to achieve full power. Whether we should repair or replace a damaged camshaft depends on the damage. For example: in the case of camshaft deflection being more than 0.05mm, we cannot fix the camshaft but instead replace it. This is also applicable in the cases of camshaft cracks, wrecking of thread in the mounting holes, etc. In all these cases, we should replace the camshaft rather than repair it.
It costs around $1500 to $3000 to replace a camshaft. This includes the price of the parts and the labor costs.

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