98RedBird

iTrader: (77)

I've been looking into buying an MS4 and PRC 2.5's for a while and was thinking about going used and saving myself some money. I've found a few MS4's for sale that have had about 3k to 4k miles on them for anywhere from $250 to $320. Should I stay away from these cams or would they be okay to purchase for my setup? I don't mind spending the extra $100 for peace of mind of getting one new but I'm all up for saving myself some money as well. What should I look for when buying a used cam? Am I being too paranoid about it?

Thanks

Black02SLPSS

iTrader: (5)

Isnt a brand new ms4 389? For what you said you have seen them going for, IMO the extra cost of a brand new one is not that big of a deal rather than buying a used cam with an unknown history. I vote for new one, but its up to you in what you want to do, and what risks you are comfortable living with.

ssheets

iTrader: (1)

As paranoid as most of us are during assembly and initial startup and citing how much labor it is to swap out the cam and how much damage worse case scenario could be...you're talking about saving how much $$$

Now there is a guy in here that is thinkgin about selling an MS4 that has never been installed. That might be worth considering. I'll look for the post.

Here it is https://ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iii-internal-engine/839906-ms4-scares-me-going-tqv-2-some-questions.html

kingsey

Buy new

3stgstocker

iTrader: (18)

i own a machine shop and the way the new cams r made if u got to save money i dont think u will have any problem with a used 1 as long as a lifter hasnt broke and beat it up u should be fine. just an example i was cleaning my loft up with it about 10ft. off the ground and i found some old cams so i throwed an old gen 1 cam off it on the concrete and its noe 3 small cams instead of 1. dropped a stock ls1 cam and it bounced off the floor and didnt hurt it now granted i wouldnt run it but i can tell u they r alot stronger now

hammertime

iTrader: (1)

Ask yourself why they are out there with 3-4k on them being sold. Depending on your intended usage, the MS4 is a whole-lotta cam. If this car is your daily driver, give some serious thought before you pull the trigger - new or used. If yours is a weekend warrior, are you up for the tuning requirements to make your car enjoyable to drive when you want to?

ssheets link touches on this too:
Even the T2 can leave a little to be desired without enough static compression & the proper ICL, but it's much friendlier than the MS4 for a non-drag application.

Cole Train

iTrader: (30)

I'm one of those guys with the MS4 for sale. I bought it off a member with a GREAT trader rating and all with 3500 miles on it. I got it and it is damn near NEW looking still. I was would have had NO problem putting it in my car except it is a WHOLE-LOTTA cam and that is what made me decide to go with a smaller one. That's the ONLY reason i am selling it and the reason the last guy did he said he decided to do either F/I or n2o and wanted a different cam. The thing is PERFECT. i see no problem with a used one as long as it's not scratched or scored. i wouldn't be scared at all to put it in it's just more cam then i needed. i kinda jumped before i looked on cam size~Cole~

CarnivorWS.6-01

iTrader: (7)

I bought used with what I was told about 500 miles. I was leary and the cam was perfect. The only way you will get hurt is if someone is out to screw. Honest people will treat you right. It is a leap of faith. Mine was a 224/224 112LSA very user friendly cam.

Phil'sC5vette

iTrader: (4)

When I buy used parts, I always double that amount the seller says it was used for to see if I still want it ( 5000 miles and 3 years equals 10000 miles and 6 years of uasage), and Ill go back and check his old postings.

One rule I follow is dont I buy something from someone with under 100 post and under a year on the forum. Also, I never buy anything from the guys saying he's selling for a friend.

Cole Train

iTrader: (30)

i bought a ASP underdrive from a guy selling it for a friend. great pulley and great price. you can just go and figure the miles and age is double, that makes no sense. Even like my cam when i bought it. Guy said it had 3500 miles and i have no reason to doubt him. He has a great reputation. There are plenty people out there that are honest and you can't go around trying to think that they are out to screw you. I for one have never tried to screw anybody from this site. even in my case with this cam, i bought it on an impulse, and then thought about it and realised it's just too much cam for me and my use. Whoever buys it is getting one HELL of a deal~Cole~

eallanboggs

iTrader: (1)

I wouldn't go over $200 used. I'd look it over VERY closely. Lobes, journals. I wouldn't buy one site unseen. I bought a used one and installed it. It worked fine until the vehicle was wrecked. I pulled the cam and sold it. I also did the third install of the cam myself. The current owner loves it. As always, buyer beware.

Websy21

iTrader: (34)

I'd run a used one but use your instincts and common sense, obviously there a few factors but many are in great condition and look like new once removed. Many people on this site pick up used cams and don't have problems, otherwise they wouldn't sell so easily in the classifieds.

98RedBird

iTrader: (77)

Thing is, there are a set of LS6 heads i'm looking at that have had the upgraded valve job and have been milled to 58cc which is what I wanted to have done with the 5.3 2.5's anyways and I'm not sure how much TSP charges to do that (before anyone says anything, I know that I'll have to flycut). The guy is asking $900 shipped. And then the MS4 used would be somewhere around $275ish... I mean that's just a hair over $1000 really for a combo that would cost probably north of $2000 from TSP. That's a dry kit and most all of the goodies to go with it. The cam has 3500 miles on it and the heads have 200. It's very tempting. And both guys have very good trader ratings.

Soul TKR

iTrader: (4)

i got a used comp 224 cam and my engine builder says it's perfectley fine...

hammertime

iTrader: (1)

TSP charges $1669 for a Stg 2.5 5.3L Heads & Cam Package
I'd guess another $100 for flat milling.

Tough call...good luck either way!

98RedBird

iTrader: (77)

Here's pictures of the cam tell me what you guys think...
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...edbird/MS4.jpg
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...dbird/MS41.jpg
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...dbird/MS42.jpg
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...dbird/MS43.jpg
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...dbird/MS44.jpg
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...dbird/MS45.jpg
http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z...dbird/MS46.jpg

98RedBird

iTrader: (77)

Yeah but after shipping and everything, not to mention the LS6 heads are more expensive than the 5.3's.... it would probably be close to $2000.

anyways, yeah, tough call. I think I'm gonna take the cam though. It looks pretty good in the pictures that I posted

98RedBird

iTrader: (77)

how do the pictures of the cam look to you guys? okay?

NC98Z

iTrader: (1)

You should be ok. I've sold several used cams and nobodys had any trouble. 5000 miles on a roller cam isn't any wear at all.

1badA3Z

iTrader: (58)

Have bought a couple used cams on here to with no probs! Just do some research on the seller and product first!