Cam Swap Questions
Cam Swap Questions I have a 98 Trans Am, 6 speed that I am planning to swap a cam in here shortly. I have done a few LSX cam swaps, but they were all on really low mileage motors. The cam I have is a Crane custom grind 224/228 .576/.567 114 LSA.
1. Since I have a 98, I hear the oil pumps are not the best. My car currently has 67,000 miles on it and it holds 60-70 PSI cold and 40-45 hot idle with 60 WOT when hot. I think my oil pump is fairly healthy still. Is it a must change for me or should I just leave it alone since it still works good?
2. One of the biggest debated issues is the timing chain. Do I need to replace it? It's not like I'm going with a crazy cam that needs spun to the moon to make power. After talking with Crane and my tuner, the car should make good power on the stock heads to about 6200-6300 RPM. I just don't really feel it is necessary if I'm not spinning it past 6500 RPM.
3. Will rod bolts be an issue? I hear 98's have weaker ones, but at only 200-300 RPM higher than stock, I think they will be OK.
1. Since I have a 98, I hear the oil pumps are not the best. My car currently has 67,000 miles on it and it holds 60-70 PSI cold and 40-45 hot idle with 60 WOT when hot. I think my oil pump is fairly healthy still. Is it a must change for me or should I just leave it alone since it still works good?
2. One of the biggest debated issues is the timing chain. Do I need to replace it? It's not like I'm going with a crazy cam that needs spun to the moon to make power. After talking with Crane and my tuner, the car should make good power on the stock heads to about 6200-6300 RPM. I just don't really feel it is necessary if I'm not spinning it past 6500 RPM.
3. Will rod bolts be an issue? I hear 98's have weaker ones, but at only 200-300 RPM higher than stock, I think they will be OK.
A LS6 oil pump and Ls2 chain will cost you $200-$250. I see that as real cheap insurance. I would do it with a cam swap even if I had an 02 fbody with 10kmiles on it but thats just me. Also when are you planing the swap? I would love to see the numbers iam looking for a good daily driver cam.
The swap will likely be in 2 or 3 weeks. The car is getting the front bumper repainted and a few other little things touched up that drove me nuts about it. We are expecting it to make something like 370-380 rwhp. I'm not sure what it will show though because it's a pretty inconsistent mustang dyno. Track times are where it's at and the guy I bought the cam from went 12.20's with it on a 2.2 or 2.3 60' time. Should make for a really nice cam though.
I would recommend getting an oil pump, like mentioned before its fairly cheap insurance. You can get a ported pump for $160 and a LS2 chain for $42, considering both of these have to come off to get the cam out its not a bad idea to replace at that time. You can replace just your timing chain with the LS2, the stock gears never really have issues. The rod bolts in the 98 are not as good, but as long as you stay underneath 7000 rpm you should be fine.
