What is a Cam on a Truck and Why Do You Need One?

What is a Cam On Truck or Cammed Truck?

A “cammed truck” typically refers to a truck that has had its engine modified with a performance camshaft. The camshaft is a component in the engine that controls the opening and closing of the engine’s intake and exhaust valves.

When a truck is “cammed,” it means that a high-performance camshaft has been installed, which can change the engine’s airflow characteristics, timing, and overall performance. This modification is often done to increase horsepower, torque, and throttle response, resulting in improved acceleration and overall engine performance.

In cammed trucks, a cylinder bank refers to a section of the engine block containing multiple cylinders arranged in a row or a V-shape configuration. Each cylinder bank typically houses several cylinders where combustion occurs.

The truck motor plays a crucial role in generating power to propel the vehicle. It converts fuel into mechanical energy through the combustion process, driving the pistons up and down in the cylinders. The camshaft, as part of the motor’s valvetrain system, controls the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves, regulating the flow of air and fuel into the cylinders and the expulsion of exhaust gases. This process is essential for efficient engine operation and power generation in cammed trucks.

Pickup trucks can be cammed. Camming a pickup truck involves installing a custom camshaft to enhance its engine performance. Just like in other vehicles, camming a pickup truck can improve horsepower, torque, and overall engine response.

However, it’s essential to note that modifying a truck’s engine with a performance camshaft can have implications for fuel efficiency, emissions, and engine reliability. Additionally, depending on local regulations, such modifications may not be street legal or could void the manufacturer’s warranty. Therefore, it’s crucial for truck owners to research and consider the potential consequences before making any engine modifications.

What Does Camming a Truck Do?

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Camming a truck typically involves modifying its engine with a performance camshaft. This component controls the opening and closing of the engine’s intake and exhaust valves, affecting airflow, timing, and overall engine performance.

Here’s what camming a truck can do:

Increase Horsepower and Torque:
A high-performance camshaft can optimize the engine’s airflow, resulting in more power and torque output. This can improve the truck’s acceleration, towing capacity, and overall performance.
Enhance Throttle Response:
With a performance camshaft, the engine can respond more quickly to throttle inputs, providing a more immediate and responsive driving experience.
Improve Engine Sound:
Some truck enthusiasts enjoy the deeper, more aggressive exhaust note produced by a cammed engine, which can enhance the overall driving experience.
Customize Performance:
Different camshaft profiles offer varying levels of performance characteristics, allowing truck owners to tailor the engine’s performance to their preferences and specific driving needs.

However, it’s essential to consider potential downsides as well. Camming a truck may impact fuel efficiency, emissions, and engine reliability. Additionally, engine modifications could void the manufacturer’s warranty and may not comply with local regulations. Therefore, truck owners should carefully research and evaluate the implications before deciding to cam their truck’s engine.

Why Do Camshafts Fail?

Camshafts can fail due to several reasons, including:

Wear and Tear: Over time, the constant movement of the camshaft and its interaction with other engine components can lead to wear. This wear can cause the camshaft lobes to flatten or develop pits, reducing their effectiveness in opening and closing the engine’s valves properly.

Lack of Lubrication: Insufficient lubrication can cause excessive friction between the camshaft and the camshaft bearings, leading to premature wear and eventual failure. This can occur due to low oil levels, poor-quality oil, or clogged oil passages.

Contamination: Dirt, debris, or metal particles in the engine oil can cause abrasion and damage to the camshaft surface, leading to wear and potential failure.
Overheating: Excessive heat can cause the camshaft and its bearings to expand, leading to increased friction and wear. Overheating can occur due to various factors, including engine overheating, inadequate cooling system maintenance, or prolonged operation under high loads.
Incorrect Installation: Improper installation of the camshaft, such as incorrect alignment or incorrect torque specifications, can lead to premature wear and failure.
Excessive RPM: Operating the engine at excessively high RPMs can place additional stress on the camshaft and its components, increasing the likelihood of premature wear and failure.
Manufacturing Defects: In rare cases, camshafts may fail due to manufacturing defects such as material flaws, improper machining, or insufficient heat treatment.

Regular maintenance, proper lubrication, and avoiding excessive engine stress can help prolong the life of the camshaft and reduce the risk of failure. Additionally, using high-quality engine oil and following manufacturer recommendations for oil changes and engine maintenance can help prevent camshaft failure.

How to Cam a Truck

Exhaust valves, intake valves, and overhead valve engines play crucial roles in the operation of an engine, including in camming a truck. Here’s how they contribute:

Exhaust Valves

Exhaust valves are responsible for opening and closing to allow the exhaust gases produced during the combustion process to exit the combustion chamber. They open when the piston reaches the bottom of its stroke (exhaust stroke) to allow the burned fuel-air mixture to be expelled into the exhaust system. The camshaft controls the timing of the opening and closing of the exhaust valves.

Intake Valves

Intake valves open and close to allow the fresh air-fuel mixture into the combustion chamber during the intake stroke. They open when the piston moves downward, creating a vacuum that draws air and fuel into the cylinder. Like exhaust valves, intake valves are controlled by the camshaft, which determines when they open and close.

Overhead Valve Engines (OHV)

The overhead valve engine, also called the pushrod engine, features a single camshaft mounted within the engine block. As the camshaft rotates, it operates the valves through pushrods and rocker arms. The camshaft’s lobes contact pushrods, which, in turn, actuate the rocker arms to open and close the valves. OHV engines are known for their simplicity, reliability, and compact size, making them popular in many trucking applications.

Other: The Exhaust Valves' Functions in Camming a Truck

In camming a truck, the camshaft’s profile determines the timing and duration of the opening and closing of the exhaust valves. This timing affects engine performance, fuel efficiency, and emissions. Camming refers to the process of optimizing the camshaft’s design to achieve specific performance goals, such as maximizing power output, improving fuel economy, or reducing emissions. Adjusting the camshaft’s profile can alter valve timing, lift, and duration to optimize engine performance for different operating conditions.

In summary, exhaust valves, intake valves, overhead valve engines, and the camshaft all work together to control the flow of air and fuel in and out of the combustion chambers, ultimately influencing engine performance and efficiency in camming a truck.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Truck Cammed?

The cost of camming a truck can vary widely depending on several factors, including the specific modifications desired, the type of truck, the brand and quality of the camshaft, and whether professional installation is required. Here are some cost considerations:

Camshaft Cost: The price of a camshaft can range from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars, depending on factors such as the material, design, and brand. Performance-oriented camshafts designed for increased power and torque typically cost more than stock replacements.
Labor Costs: If you’re not performing the camshaft installation yourself, labor costs will be a significant part of the total expense. Labor rates vary depending on the shop’s location, reputation, and expertise. Installing a camshaft usually involves removing the engine’s cylinder head or timing cover, disassembling the valvetrain, and carefully setting the camshaft timing, which can be a labor-intensive process.
Additional Parts and Components: Depending on the extent of the camshaft upgrade and the condition of your engine, you may need to purchase additional parts such as new lifters, pushrods, valve springs, gaskets, and timing components. These additional parts will add to the overall cost of the camming process.
Tuning and Calibration: After installing a new camshaft, the engine’s fuel and ignition timing may need to be adjusted to optimize performance and drivability. This often requires professional tuning on a dynamometer (dyno) to ensure the engine runs smoothly and efficiently. Tuning costs can vary depending on the tuner’s rates and the complexity of the adjustments needed.
Quality and Reputation: While it may be tempting to opt for the lowest-priced camshaft and installation services, it’s essential to consider the quality and reputation of the components and the shop performing the work. Choosing reputable brands and experienced professionals may result in better performance, reliability, and customer satisfaction, but it can also come at a higher cost.

Overall, the total cost of camming a truck can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the specific requirements and preferences of the truck owner. It’s advisable to research thoroughly, obtain quotes from multiple shops, and consider your long-term performance and budget goals before making a decision.

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