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Which Cam for 5.7L WK?

24K views 22 replies 12 participants last post by  jeepgcoman 
#1 ·
I am in the market for a new set of Cams. I have been recommended to a few brands and I have narrowed it down to two brands: Intertia Spartan Cams and FRi Sidewinder Cams. I want to know what else I would need for this install? Lifters, Valve Springs? I see that there is a thread that a member is getting us 5.7L people some similar SRT headers so that will be on my list also.

I have a 05' 5.7L WK.

I want a nice set of mild cams. Nice mild idle and a good amount of HP/TQ :D.

Anyone have any recommendations to what I should buy? I live in VA and I also want to know if I will have any problems with Emissions too? Smog test?

Thanks!!!
 
#2 · (Edited)
For our Sidewinder cam in your 5.7 you will need the following valve train upgrade:

5.7 Sidewinder Cam $420 shipped current special posted for February.

5.7 Group I: $175.00 shipped (Heads off installation)
6.1 Exhaust Valve Springs
6.1 Pushrods
5.7 Crankshaft Bolt
5.7 Head Gaskets
5.7 Head Bolts

5.7 Group II: $68.00 shipped (Heads on installation)
6.1 Exhaust Valve Springs
6.1 Pushrods
5.7 Crankshaft Bolt

There should be no problems with emissions from our camshafts too.
 
#8 ·
Sparrow's a good cam...may consider a Spartan or Super Spartan advanced 4-6* as well.
 
#9 ·
I was considering the Spartan but it seems the sidewinder is ten times as popular for the 5.7.Everyone using the Spartan seems to be running the 6.1L. Not sure why. Not trying to do the same this as everyone else or anything but when it comes to major motor components I feel like when something is proven like the sidewinder I'd rather go that route especially if the larger motor seems to respond to it way better theres probably a reason. I think im thinking too far into it and should really just go with the sidewinder and get the low end I want affordably.
 
#10 · (Edited)
The main reasons for using the SW are for steet manners, ability to use canned tunes, and increased low end torque. With a larger cam, you need to advance the timing on a heavier vehicle like the Jeep to get the torque down lower, a custom tune, and possibly a higher stall converter. The Spartan is better suited to the 6.1 due to the higher compression, higher stall, better breathing, etc. and the SW wouldn't provide much benefit over the stock 6.1 cam in terms of over-all performance. Puting a Spartan cam in a 6.1 is not unlike puting a SW in a 5.7L.

I was looking at the SW when I put my first cam in (Super Spartan), but after alot of research, decided to go slightly more aggressive. The Super Spartan is designed to bring all of the timing events on sooner, while still maintaining power throughout the band. I had a hunch that I would eventually want to go larger...and I was right. I figured that since I needed to upgrade the springs and rods, I may as well go with ported heads and better exhaust. The SS didn't require a higher stall converter, but it can definately benefit from one. I eventually ended up with my current setup, upgrading to a larger cam, high stall converter, larger intake manifold, headers, etc. and the power difference is much improved over just the cam/heads combo I was originally running.

You can't really compare a SW to a Spartan cam, for they are completely different grinds. If you advance the Spartan and/or increase compression (mill the heads), you will have more torque down low than the SW and a heck of a lot more pull up top...night and day difference, for not much more coin. Just advancing the Spartan cam 4-6* alone, without increasing compression, will net you similar street manners as the SW and better results at the track.

If all you want is a little more pickup around town, then you will be happy with the SW. You can save some coin in the tuning department as well by using a canned tune. However, you're probably going to want the added benefits of a custom tune at some point...and possibly a larger cam...the mod bug will bite...it's just a matter of time;)

Happy Modding!
 
#11 ·
Thank you for the good advice. As far as track manners and stuff like that I'm really looking for street driving. I think after looking over my options the 20 or so horsepower the spartan will net me over the SW might not be worth it. I would rather go with the easier setup due to my lack of knowledge on motor work and budget problems. I will probably upgrade it further down the road but right now I think the SW is going to be my best bet.

Thank you for the information
 
#12 ·
You'll be happy with the SW...may want to consider the Superchips unit if you don't plan on going any further, for it has trans tuning capabilities that the DS doesn't.
 
#14 ·
I would hit up Andy at PWR...performance werks racing...he will hook you up with a good cam....
 
#21 · (Edited)
Would that require pulling off the head and replacing the valve springs, or is valve float not an issue with that particular cam?

---------- Post added at 09:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:01 PM ----------

Here's a link to a neat article I found regarding a cam swap in a 5.7L Hemi. I really liked that there wasn't really anything else they had to do to it, esp that they didn't have to pull off the heads. Another great part of this article is that they specifically used a milder cam (and even included the brand and part number), like what most of us would put in our daily driver. It was very educational. Enjoy:
http://www.truckinweb.com/tech/1110tr_5_7_hemi_performance_cam_swap_part_1/viewall.html
 
#23 · (Edited)
I have Sidewinders in both my early Hemi's (05 LX and 06 WK) and feel they are the best and continuously proven cam for the early Hemi's. Everything that ludakrs said about them is true except, IIRC, many of the LX folks were pulling down 50+ more hp with simple bolt on mods. On both of mine, I did the installs with the heads on (requires a special valve spring removal tool and a way to pressurize each cylinder) and advanced both of the cams (6* on the WK and 10* on the LX).....against everyones' recommendations. It was my understanding that the Sidewinder has 4* advance ground into by the Comp Cams folks, so my advance (at the timing set) was 2* on the WK and 6* on the LX. This moves the power/torque curve a bit lower than it normally would when the cam is installed "straight up". Driveability is not afffected at all and it feels like another engine is being turned on from about 3000-6200 RPM. IMO, to get the full benefit of this or any cam, the complete kit should be installed and a good header back exhaust system and tuner should be a must. Also, if you don't do something with the transmission you'll probably be buying a new one in relatively short order. On my WK I added a Sonnax Line Pressure Booster, Transgo Shift Kit and use my custom shift/torque management settings using a Superchips Tuner with the Advanced Transmission Tuning Application (ATT). On my LX, in addition to the Diablosport Tuner, I also have the Mopar Performance Transmission Control Module and will eventually pick up a performance valve body with AMG shift solenoids. For giggles, I've tried running both with completely stock settings and believe me, both were complete garbage....much worse than with a completely stock engine.

With my mods. on both, the fuel economy is up ~25% and my quarter mile times are ~1.5 seconds quicker than when completely stock.

For anyone doing this (cam) mod., I'd also highly recommend the 6.1 timing chain tensioner in addition to the items specified by ludakrs. Also, if you do the mod. with the heads on, you'll need the special valve spring tool. Here's a little tidbit from Comp. Cams on the various effects of manipulating cam settings/specifications:

Technical Specs & Information
 
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