This makes sense. I called COMP again and they confirmed with my steel billet cam (51-413-9) you HAVE to run a bronze gear (or composite material) and not the steel gear. The tech guy at COMP says that 3000 to 5000 mile life expectancy is normal for these bronze gears which is why a lot of guys go to the composite. Since I already have another bronze gear, I'm going to run it and monitor the wear / timing very carefully. I'll order the Butler one and install it later.
... seems like a high maintenance item that shouldn't be. Especially when we put quite a few miles on our Bird each year.
