Comp Cams
Stage 1 Performance Camshaft
SKU: 201-600-17
View on Comp Cams website+35
Horsepower
+25
Torque (ft-lbs)
Skill Level
Install Time
Build Stage
Mounts to
Engine Bay →What You'll Need
Professional installation required. Needs valve springs, retainers, and potentially new lifters. Engine must be partially disassembled. A custom tune is mandatory. Supporting mods (headers, intake) recommended to maximize gains.
Enthusiast builds balancing power and reliability
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Price Comparison
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Why Install This?
Benefits
- Noticeable power improvement you'll feel in daily driving and pulls
Things to Know
- Professional installation recommended — requires specialty tools or expertise
What Does This Do?
The camshaft controls when and how far the intake and exhaust valves open in each cylinder. A performance cam opens the valves wider (more lift) and keeps them open longer (more duration) than stock, allowing the engine to breathe better at high RPM for more power. Benefits: 30-40 HP gain, aggressive idle sound (the 'lope' that muscle car enthusiasts love), noticeably stronger pull from 3,000 RPM to redline. Trade-offs: the lopey idle means the engine shakes slightly at stoplights — some people love this, others find it annoying. MPG will drop 1-2 MPG. The Stage 1 is the mildest option — streetable daily with A/C and power steering working fine. WARNING: a cam swap on a HEMI is NOT a simple bolt-on. You MUST also install matching valve springs, non-MDS lifters (auto trans), pushrods, VVT limiter, MDS delete plugs, and get a custom tune. Budget $2,000-3,000 total for the full cam package with install.
Required Supporting Parts
This camshaft requires additional parts for safe installation. Installing without these can cause serious engine damage.
Aftermarket camshafts REQUIRE upgraded valve springs and non-MDS lifters. Stock valve springs will cause valve float (valves bounce open at high RPM), leading to catastrophic engine damage. Non-MDS lifters are required on automatic transmission HEMIs because the factory MDS lifters are incompatible with aftermarket cam profiles.
VVT limiter and MDS delete are REQUIRED with aftermarket camshafts on 2009+ HEMIs. The VVT cam phaser will cause erratic timing with an aftermarket cam, and MDS oil passages must be sealed after removing MDS lifters. Without these, expect oil pressure loss and engine damage.
A custom ECU tune is REQUIRED with any aftermarket camshaft. The factory tune's fuel maps, timing tables, and idle control are calibrated for the stock cam — an aftermarket cam changes everything. The engine will not idle properly, will run rich or lean, and will not make optimal power without a tune.
Hardened pushrods are strongly recommended with aftermarket camshafts. Stock pushrods can flex under aggressive cam profiles, causing inconsistent valve timing. Most cam manufacturers recommend chromoly pushrods as part of a cam package.
Tune Required
This part requires an ECU tune to function correctly. Without a tune, the engine computer won't adjust for the new part, potentially causing poor performance, check engine lights, or engine damage.
Technical Details
Street/strip cam with increased lift and duration over stock. Noticeable idle lope. Must be installed with matching valve springs. Adds significant mid to top-end power.
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