Iron Ram 539 – Dodge 318/360 Magnum Hydraulic Roller Camshaft (1992–2003)
Unleash the hidden power of your Mopar Magnum engine with the Iron Ram 539, a precision-engineered hydraulic roller camshaft designed for Dodge 318 (5.2L) and 360 (5.9L) engines from 1992–2003.
With 218° duration @ .050 on both intake and exhaust and an advertised duration of 288°, the Iron Ram 539 delivers crisp throttle response, a wide torque curve, and street-friendly drivability. When paired with 1.6:1 rocker arms, it provides a net valve lift of .539", making it the ideal choice for EFI street builds, daily-driven trucks, and performance applications that demand both power and reliability.
⚙️ Camshaft Specs:
Duration @ .050": 218° / 218°
Advertised Duration: 288°
Net Valve Lift (with 1.6 Rockers): .539"
Lobe Separation Angle (LSA): 114°
Type: Hydraulic Roller
RPM Range: 1,500–5,500
✅ Perfect For:
Dodge 318 / 360 Magnum engines (1992–2003)
EFI-equipped trucks, Dakotas, and performance street rods
Builders looking for a strong midrange with clean idle quality
Street-driven performance where reliability and drivability matter
🔥 Why Choose the Iron Ram 539:
Strong torque curve and throttle response for real-world performance
Works seamlessly with factory EFI systems
Precision-ground for long-lasting durability and consistent results
🧠 Over 30 Years of Camshaft Expertise
Every camshaft is crafted in-house from brand-new cores — no outsourcing, no shortcuts. With more than three decades of hands-on experience, our team ensures every grind meets the highest standards of performance and reliability.
Iron Ram .539" 288/288 Dodge 318/360 Magnum Hydraulic Roller Camshaft(1992–2003)
🛠️ Installation Instructions
REDLINE CAMS – Dodge Mopar 318/360 Magnum Hydraulic Roller Camshaft (1992–2003)
⚠️ Important Notes Before Installation
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Magnum engines use pedestal-mounted rockers; check pushrod length with aftermarket cams.
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Requires high-zinc (ZDDP) oil during break-in and regular operation.
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Verify valve spring pressure, retainer-to-seal clearance, and piston-to-valve clearance.
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Recommended upgrades for most performance cams:
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Performance valve springs & retainers
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Upgraded timing chain set
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Headers & free-flowing exhaust
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2000+ stall converter (for aggressive cams)
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Reprogrammed ECU/tuning for max gains
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🔧 Tools & Supplies Needed
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Basic hand tools (sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers)
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Harmonic balancer puller
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Torque wrench
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Assembly lube (moly-based)
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Break-in oil with ZDDP
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Mopar Magnum intake, valve cover, and timing cover gaskets
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Engine timing light
📖 Step 1 – Disassembly
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Disconnect the battery.
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Drain coolant and remove radiator (recommended for clearance).
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Remove accessory drive belt, fan, water pump, and timing cover.
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Remove distributor (note rotor position).
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Remove intake manifold, valve covers, rocker arms, and pushrods.
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Remove lifters and store them in order (if reusing).
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Remove old timing set and camshaft carefully.
📖 Step 2 – Camshaft Installation
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Clean block and inspect cam bearings.
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Coat new camshaft lobes and journals with assembly lube.
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Carefully slide camshaft into block (avoid nicking bearings).
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Install new timing chain set, aligned to factory timing marks.
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Optionally, degree the camshaft for max accuracy.
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Reinstall timing cover with new gasket and harmonic balancer.
📖 Step 3 – Valvetrain Setup
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Install lifters with assembly lube in their bores.
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Reinstall pushrods and rocker arms.
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Torque rocker pedestal bolts to factory spec (17–19 ft-lbs).
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Check hydraulic preload (Magnums use non-adjustable rockers):
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If preload is incorrect, correct with pushrod length.
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Verify valve spring pressure meets camshaft requirements.
📖 Step 4 – Reassembly
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Reinstall intake manifold with new gaskets.
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Reinstall distributor, setting base timing near stock.
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Reinstall valve covers, accessories, radiator, and coolant hoses.
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Reconnect wiring and battery.
📖 Step 5 – Initial Startup & Break-In
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Fill engine with break-in oil (with ZDDP).
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Prime oil system (via oil pump driveshaft with drill).
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Start engine and bring RPM to 2,000–2,500 for 20–25 minutes.
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Monitor oil pressure, coolant temp, and listen for abnormal valvetrain noise.
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📖 Step 6 – Post-Install Checks
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Change oil and filter after break-in.
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Recheck ignition timing with timing light.
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Verify pushrod preload and valvetrain stability.
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For EFI trucks: allow PCM to relearn or have it tuned for best performance.
✅ Your REDLINE CAMS Magnum Hydraulic Roller Camshaft is now installed — bringing Mopar muscle to life with improved throttle response, lope, and street/strip performance.
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