Building a big cam 3 400

Discussion in 'Heavy Duty Diesel Truck Mechanics Forum' started by Adisiwaya, Sep 12, 2021.

  1. Adisiwaya

    Adisiwaya Light Load Member

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    I'm a cat guy but I have a big cam 3 400 in a cabover I'm going be taking out to replace a blown 3406b. I will be building it as a cpl 625 as that seems the best cpl. Can anyone help with parts list? I'm looking for 500-600hp I run Midwest to northwest and I like the extra power on the hills. I can't find info on what I need like what cam, injectors anything. I'm at a loss. I'm trying to build up a list of parts so I can have a shop rebuild it vs 30% upcharge on the same exact parts I can get in Mt where there's no sales tax vs Minnesota.
     
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  2. 062

    062 Road Train Member

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  3. OLDSKOOLERnWV

    OLDSKOOLERnWV Captain Redbeard

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    I run a Big Cam 4 I converted to high flow using BC3 parts. It was a CPL 0749 315 hp but I built it back to a CPL 625. I’m using a Holsett HT/60 turbo with a #26 exhaust housing..... if memory is correct turbo is for CPL 2024...?

    Have a good shop build your pump and match with a good set of injectors, it should do a good job for you.

    Can’t remember his name off hand, but a guy in Texas does fabulous injector and pump work, I’ll try to remember his name.

    Before you start ordering parts.... make sure you get the right liners no matter what the CPL number is..... if block has been cut you need the correct liners for it....
     
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  4. OLDSKOOLERnWV

    OLDSKOOLERnWV Captain Redbeard

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    Oh......, make sure you have a good operational Pyrometer and temp gauge along with a boost gauge, that will help it live. And just because you have it doesn’t mean you have to use it all the time.....
     
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  5. Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    The parts list itself is really not the issue.

    Make sure that you have the correct Cam and the correct Liners and the correct pistons for cpl 625. I would buy them directly from Cummins.

    The rest is in the pump, timing ,and turbo.

    If you call Warren at premco he can take care of all of your horsepower needs for injectors and pumps and he even will sell you the correct Turbo. That is who @OLDSKOOLERnWV is thinking of.

    You can use the turbo that oldskooler recommends, or you can probably just use the turbo that is on it. The 400 horsepower turbo is good up to 600 hp, especially if you have the #26 exhaust housing. I think the turbo that oldskooler is talking about will work with the actual charge air cooler if you're going to go that route.

    But most importantly make sure you have the timing tool and you set the timing to where Warren tells you to set it.

    Watch your pyrometer like a hawk and avoid idling.
     
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  6. Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    Since the pistons are aluminum, isn’t recommended to have them “Ceramic coated” ? I knew a guy here in the SoCali area that use to send the pistons to get ceramic coated back in the days(1990’s). He has long passed on.
     
  7. Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    From what I have heard that is just a gimmick. The coating just wears off.

    You just have to watch the Pyro.
     
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  8. OLDSKOOLERnWV

    OLDSKOOLERnWV Captain Redbeard

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    Yes Warren, Thank you Sir!!

    Warren does good work, I’ve used his injectors with good results.

    As far as ceramic coating on a piston goes..... I’ve not used that method, but have heard a few different folks say it just flakes off over a short time since it does not expand with heat like the metal components of the engine.

    Setting the timing to .070 with the gaskets will work.

    Keep in mind some engines share the same camshaft although they have a different CPL number, gotta double check though.

    I’m having trouble with my crazy phone, was trying to share a pic from my CPL book of the part numbers for 625.....
     
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  9. OLDSKOOLERnWV

    OLDSKOOLERnWV Captain Redbeard

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  10. Nss

    Nss Light Load Member

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    Maybe worth while to look at 531 cpl