BobZo6

I am getting all kinds of quotes on the number of hours to do a heads and cam installation (from 10 - 24 hours). Excluding the time for the tune, how many hours should it take for a skilled mechanic to install heads, injectors, cam, FAST 90, 90mm TB, oil pump, timing chain, and 160 degree T-stat.

DaddySS

I've seen it done in about 7 hours, took me about 20 and I'm slow and ****, so I would say 10 to 12 if they are skilled on the LS1.

2002 SS #476

iTrader: (2)

Book time for cylinder heads is around 15 hours I believe. Just for a camshaft is 11-12 hours (think that doesn't include valve springs which is 5.9 hours). If you are doing both at the same time it will reduce the number of hours. Probably going to be around 20-25 hours at a good shop for heads, camshaft, intake, and oil pump.

DONAIMIAN

iTrader: (18)

For a shop that does nothing but LS1's id expect 10 hours...not saying theyre gona charge you for 10 hours, but for someone thats done it before thats what I would expect.

dub.ya.es.SICK

iTrader: (3)

i did cam oil pump timing chain valve springs retainers seals and new locks in 9 hours.. oh and pushrods....so id say around 15 for a skilled mechainc..

slow trap

iTrader: (22)

i'd say you will probably get charged for 20 hours or so but as already said it can be done much quicker.^ 6 hours for a valve spring change,dang that sounds atleast twice as long as it SHOULD take. i'd say around 12-15 hours for a good mechanic.

Hennytime

iTrader: (33)

the first time i did valve springs it took me around 6 hours. im sure i could do it faster now, and i just did my first cam install which took me around 10 hours, but again now that ive done it i could probly cut that to around 5 hours. im just very slow, triple check everything and go from there. who care if it take all afternoon or all night, as long as its right, thats what counts

Danimal02

I'd go with 20 hours to be safe...my dumb a$$ spent a few of those hours on stupid things (like finding dropped bolts and running to the auto parts store).

99blancoSS

iTrader: (115)

Each shop is different but what most do is look at the "book" and charge accordingly.
AN oil pump needs to have the oil pan dropped on the book, but someone who done it before knows you dont have to.
So your going to get variance on pricing. Not just in the hours but in the hourly charge as well. If I had to guess dollars I'd say somewhere around 1-2k.

bowe1632

iTrader: (1)

get a 10 mm gear socket wrench to decrease time if you dont have one.

bowe1632

iTrader: (1)

im pretty sure they have that on ls1howto as a great tool to have

99FormulaM6

iTrader: (21)

just did my head swap (assembled ls6 heads) and it took 2 days. i started by myself on a saturday morning at 9am, and had a friend come over...then we stopped sat at 4:30pm with the new heads sitting on the block. Started next Sunday at 9:30 and had to stop at 4pm bc of rain. Finished the next day in a few hours.

This was also done in the parking lot of my apartment complex with a 120pc craftsmen tool set, and thats it. We broke the 15mm socket and had to drive 45min round trip to get it replaced. And a few other trips to the parts store down the street too...

So i would say it took me 20 hrs in a parking lot...so a skilled shop can do it in half the time

CockerKid009

GET a 10mm gear wrench. havent done h/c yet but i prob. wouldnt have got my headers on without it (in hindsight it prob. wouldve helped to take off the other set of coilpacks, but eh you live and learn)