What's harder, cam swap or header install?
 

I'm asking this because I installed a set of Mac headers yesterday. This is the first time I ever installed headers on any car, and the install went fine (no disasters. very careful with torquing things in, etc...) but it took forever. About 10 hours.

Keep in mind this was done on rhino ramps with very little clearance under the car... Anyway it was a PITA.

I plan on doing a cam/spring swap this summer. I'm wondering if this would be considered a "harder" project than headers? I know the springs will take time. I already swapped the oil pump out myself so I am familiar with tearing the front of the engine down...

Thanks for any input.

Tommy <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

BTW Loudmouth and Macs with an ORP is halarious!!!

Re: What's harder, cam swap or header install?
 

I think the Cam swap is harder.Not really that bad if you have the right tools,but first time always takes longer.
My first H/C swap took 2 days,now I can do it under 1 day.

Re: What's harder, cam swap or header install?
 

a cam install is a little more in depth as far as installing to certain specs and making sure you are very careful to not drop any of the lifters. honestly i wouldnt recommend doing a cam install if it would be your first time. A header install isnt hard but a good project for those wanting to learn how to work on the LS1 platform. Just a cam install has the possibilties for a lot more set-backs. best of luck <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" />

Re: What's harder, cam swap or header install?
 

just did the mac header install a while ago. It went alot better than i expected. before that the most i did was change the oil. now my car is in my grage with the heads of due to a bent pushrod and 5 valves hitting the pistons after misshifting at the track. I believe you could probably do it you just need to take your time and do it right the first time. you should probably find someone that knows something about cars to help you but as i have found the ls1 is different from you normal small block. good luck and save the extra couple hundred bucks and some for a intake manifold. mario

Re: What's harder, cam swap or header install?
 

I'm thinking Hotcam for a few reasons:

Inexpensive.
Lope.
LS6 springs will last. (Low lift cam)
Lope.
Good Midrange Power, so I don't have to raise rev limiter too high.
Lope.
Good for M6.
Lope Lope LOPE!!!!

Yeah, I know it will not squeeze the maximum amount of power out of my car, but the pros outweigh the cons in my opinion...


Tommy <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

Re: What's harder, cam swap or header install?
 

Hey Tommy, check this out, here's a tool that should really help you with that cam install:
http://www.thunderracing.com/images/springtool4.jpg

Re: What's harder, cam swap or header install?
 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Cal:
<strong> Hey Tommy, check this out, here's a tool that should really help you with that cam install:
http://www.thunderracing.com/images/springtool4.jpg </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yeah, the tool looks great.

Re: What's harder, cam swap or header install?
 

I've always worked on engines, but I have never done a cam swap in a car. I've done suspension work, brakes, exhaust, engine accessories, intakes, Carbs, Throttle bodies, ect... Just never a cam swap..

I've rebuilt motorcycle engines, 2 and 4 stroke, makny times which great success.

I also replaced the oil pump on my LS1 already, and I thought that was pretty hard due to the friggin' oil pump pickup tube bolt that you could drop into the oil pan...

Anyways, thanks for all the comments. I'll probably give myself a whole weekend. Strip it down Friday night, and start replacing springs Saturday morning...

Re: What's harder, cam swap or header install?
 

...so this is your next project ...cool

which cam will you go with?