What it is
This is Colt Cams' Stage 3 camshaft for VW's Pumpe Düse (PD) engines, fully machined from forged steel billet, not cast, and never a regrind of a worn factory cam. KermaTDI is the exclusive U.S. distributor.
Stage 3 vs. Stage 2: the key difference
Stage 3 runs a higher-lift profile than Colt's Stage 2 PD cam. On some heads, that extra lift means minor grinding of casting flash on the lifter buckets is needed for clearance. Confirm your head's clearance before install.
Why the factory PD camshaft fails prematurely
The OEM PD camshaft is chill-cast, which gives it a shallow hardened layer. Combined with a steep initial ramp angle on the lobe profile, this concentrates load in the area with the least wear resistance. This is a documented failure pattern across BEW, BHW, BRM, PD130, and PD150 PD engines, not an isolated defect. Most customers don't come looking for a performance cam, they find this page because their factory cam already failed.
How the Colt Stage 3 cam addresses it
Application
2004-2006 VW Jetta, Golf, Beetle, and Passat, PD (Pumpe Düse) engines. Full torque specs are available separately.
What's included with the Basic Install Kit
What's included with the Deluxe Cam Change Kit
Everything in the Basic kit, plus a full timing belt kit (80,000-mile timing belt, serpentine belt, tensioner, cam seal, roller, metal-impeller water pump, 1.5L G12++ coolant, full engine bracket/mount hardware) and the correct valve cover gasket for your engine. This kit also includes a bonus oil change and filter pack: premium motor oil, oil filter, cabin filter, air filter, and fuel filter.
Do it once, add the install kit
You have to remove the timing belt to change the cam, so it makes no sense to do that job twice. Buying the cam and the Deluxe kit together handles both jobs in one service and unlocks the full 5-year warranty.
Fuel filter note (BRM engine only)
If you're ordering the Deluxe kit and aren't sure whether your BRM engine takes a 1-hole or 2-hole fuel filter, include the last 6 digits of your VIN in your order notes.
Break-in procedure
Apply cam lube to all lobes, lifter faces, distributor gears, and oil pump gears. Oil all bearing journals and lifter barrels. Rotate the engine by hand before first start, checking clearances and timing. Run the engine at 1,800-2,000 RPM for 18-20 minutes after startup.
Common questions
How is Stage 3 different from Colt's Stage 2 PD cam? Stage 3 has a higher lift profile. Some heads need minor lifter-bucket clearance grinding to accommodate it, check before install.
Is this a regrind of my old cam? No, it's machined new from a solid steel billet, not reground from a worn factory core.
Does the warranty apply if I buy the cam alone? No, the 5-year/unlimited-mile warranty requires purchase with one of KermaTDI's install kits.
What's the difference between the Basic and Deluxe kits? Basic covers just what's needed to install the cam itself. Deluxe adds a full timing belt service and a bonus oil change kit, so you handle both jobs in one timing-belt-off service.
