ksummers03

Do I need to pull the motor for a Cam swap? I have heard that it is a good idea. Also I could not get anyone to reply on a thread from last night. I am looking at getting the SLP 51014 or the Texas Speed Magic Stick. Which one would be a good choice with the mods that I have now?

orion565

iTrader: (4)

no, look here

http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=23

ksummers03

I have heard horror stories of damaged bearings when this job is done with the motor in the car. Any comments?

sledneck687

iTrader: (1)

many many, people do a cam swap with the motor in the car. When i go to do mine, thats what i will be doing also. No reason to pull the motor, unless you really feel you cant work with the motor in the car.

Haans249

iTrader: (24)

there is PLENTY of room when you move the condenser out of the way. Aboslutely no reason to remove the entire engine, that would just be silly.

Adrian

Steve Bryant

iTrader: (1)

The way to avoid doing damage to the bearings is to carefully remove the old cam then lubricate and carefully install the new cam. Get someone to help you make the cam swap who's done this sort of thing before. The instructions posted in LS1HowTo are excellent. Removing the engine is totally unnecessary.

Best of luck with the change. Allow plenty of time. I imagine that you have installed hardened aftermarket pushrods. If not, you need to do that too.

Steve

99whitews6

iTrader: (2)

Its not necessary but after I did the cam install with the motor still in the car, and then had to remove the engine at a different time, I will personally remove the engine next cam change i have. Maybe I was just slow the first time I did the cam install(in-car) but it took ME about 4 hours to get to the cam and I had parts lying everywhere. First time I removed the whole engine, It took about 2 hours and the engine stays mostly assembled. Some wires, some bolts and thats about it, engine out. I think if I did it again it would take under an hour.

Just my $0.02

sickss228

iTrader: (27)

I've done many cam swaps on F-bodies with the motor in the car, it is definatley not neccessary to pull the motor. You do need to take care when sliding the old cam out and putting the new one in, this is where the cam bearings can get nicked. To avoid this use 2 or 3 of your waterpump bolts and screw them into the end of your cam where the timing gear goes, this will give you a big enough "handle" to take the cam out and put in the new one without damaging the bearings. Remember to go slow and be careful. Goodluck man

ksummers03

Back to the Cam purchase. Which one would you get?

khris99s

iTrader: (1)

Do it in with the motor in. My last cam swap took 3hr 15min from time on the lift to time off the lift. One before that took 4 1/2 hours. Just take the radiator and condesor out and there is plenty of room. Good luck