New cam... what mods?

[StickersMC]

Never done anything but bolt-on mods, but given a new Mopar cam with 488 lift for my 318 Ram. Can have installed for $150, and they said I don't need to do anything else. Will this give me a lot of extra HP to turn my 36" tires? and can I really have it installed without changing anything else? Please pardon my ignorance, but any help would be appreciated.

[Chargerchuck]

What are you looking to accomplish with your truck? Do you haul a boat or trailer? I am not a small block expert, so I would look to someone else to give specific reccomendations on cams. Generally, you cannot enjoy the full horsepower benefits of a .488 lift cam through a stock intake/exhaust system nor with a stock torque converter & a "freeway geared" rear axle. I know that on a big block, that with 488 lift you would need modifications to all the above. Obviously this takes some $. Hope this helps.

[StickersMC]

I've got K&N air & a cat back, single-in/dual-out exhaust, with 4:56 gears... but I'm running 36"x14.5" tires on 12"wheels, so It's a DOG when I stomp on the gas from a dead stop. Too much rolling weight. I'd like a little more ass, but bolt-on's just don't seem to be getting it done.

[Chargerchuck]

A .488 lift cam will hurt your low end unless you can get into your ideal torque range ASAP. You will need a higher stall converter to make that happen. I'm not a late model truck guy, but I would think the same basic principles apply. Your intake/exhaust systems are too restrictive. You need a dual cat exhaust system, preferably with headers. Also, a long duration cam will also kill your low end unless you have all the other modifications. I wouldn't know where to start on the intake side. But you can't change cams without taking into account the rest of your engine/drivetrain. You might want to post your concerns in the truck forum to get some further input.