Say you wanted to do a H/C/I swap, and you'd never done one. But you were on leave for 30 days.

What's a good estimate on time to do the build?

Build would be done on a lift, with pretty much every power tool I would need.
(hobby shop FTW)

 

One of the biggest factors is if you have all the parts you need to do the job beginning to end or else you spend a lot of time waiting on the UPS guy. Pushrods is about the only thing that you would have to wait to order until after you make the measurements.

 

So, say I ordered a heads cam package 225 As-Cast from TSP, timing chain, oil pump, already have the ls6 intake, LT's. Basically the works. I'll have one extra set of hands and that's about it. Few day job-ish?

 

You can easily get it done in a weekend, but dont kid yourself in thinking the craft shop has everthing you need. And their tools are usually all beat up and abused to the point they arent worth using. And dont use power tools on the engine, not good. You will definitely need the flywheel holding tool to pull off the balancer, and no craft shop has that. Good luck with your build though.

 

The tools they won't have I have easy access to, haha yea Hobby shops tools are usually about toast. The lift's just so damn convenient.

As for power tools, I'm looking at throwing a K member underneath her too, which I've already done once at the shop already. We have a pretty decent Hobby shop out at Beale.

 

I work slow and took my time to tag everything, put parts in bins well organized, cleaned out the head bolt holes very well etc. Took me about 4-5 days with no lift all by myself.

Only tools I didn't have were a few sockets, push rod checker, in/lb torque wrench and pully install and removal tool.

 

As stated, the actual work doesn't take that long assuming you have the right tools and parts.

Here is the list of parts for my H/C package, this may help you to be sure you have everything covered.

 

I pulled my whole drivetrain, smoothed and painted the engine bay, wire tucked, rewired some of my engine harness to relocate plugs I did not need, installed new heads and cam, billet fuel rails and built all the stainless lines, and painted a bunch of stuff in about a month. You should be fine doing that. Make sure you have everything first. Was annoying waiting on small parts I forgot.

 

Took me a couple days about 6 hours a day, just because it was my first time and I followed the GM service manual to a T....and I was very **** about every little thing...I'm thinking it would only take me about 8 hours to do a heads and cam install now that I know what's involved and the tricks...

 

Rezintexas I just read your post, nice chart very useful info that for sure! It's the worst when your halfway through the job and say "damn it I forgot this little part so now I am at the mercy of the shipping gods!!!! F**k!"

 

You might wanna think about your tune as well, I would recommend just getting HP Tuners and start pecking away at it. Dialing in a heads and cam swap shouldnt be to difficult to do yourself if you dont mind doing some reading. Plus it's better than paying a place for a tune that will most likely just get you close enough to get you out the door.

 

Yeah, that's a nice chart to go by and extremely accurate.

Should make it a sticky if not already.


I'd say you can knock it out in two long days or three 8hr days. Have an extra set of hands and find someone that's done it before with these cars to help. It'll save you a lot of time and frustration.

 

I did a H/C/I swap in less than 30 days and I was taking day breaks, ordering parts, etc..etc....

You can do it in a day if your jobbin. 30 days in more than enough. Like mentioned, not having the LS specific tools is what will kill you. (Pulley and Cam sprocket)

 

The biggest issue is getting the parts. Get the parts ordered and on the way asap. You will be amazed at how fast you waist 30 days when stuff goes wrong. If its possible, have the parts waiting for you when you get home.

 

Well damn fellas. I didn't expect this much of a response. I really do appreciate it. Texas-Speed, I'm going to be going through you guys for my c/h setup.

 

I pulled my engine and trans in two evenings. That's where I am. I'm doing it on jackstands.

Eventually I'll work on the motor. Waiting on the flycutting tools...

 

What heads and cam are you getting?

 

I've done a lot of H/C/I swaps. For my own car, I'll take my time to clean everything when it's apart and make everything perfect. Takes me about 5 days taking my time.

For other people, I get it done in a day and a half. I have done them before in a day. I have all the tools, so it's just a matter of making sure I have all the parts before I begin.

 

3 days you could do it with all the parts, at a decent pace to avoid mistakes

 

Good deal, I've gotta make a decision between a custom grind cam and the MS3. Heads, looking at PRC's 5.3 2.5's, just don't wanna order until I know for sure what route I wanna go.