Bare minimum cam swap!
Bare minimum cam swap! What's the bare minimum parts I can get by with while doing a can swap on my LS1. I know the gaskets, springs, and cam, but if I just want to get it in and back running should I need new push rods or anything else to make it work right? The cam is a custom grind, comp cams 232/236@50 542/545 on a 112. Also I was wondering if anyone had run a cam similar to this one. Thanks
Depending on the mileage on the engine, and how hard it's been driven, you might want to also consider a new timing chain and oil pump. You can get by on the stock push-rods if there's enough lifter preload with the new cam, otherwise stiffer longer push-rods should be on your list.
Gaskets, springs, valve seals, cam, coolant, oil, oil filter, pushrods, a/c recharge (if you have a/c) and a tune minimum. I wouldn't run an aftermarket cam and springs with stock pushrods and it is critical that you check the pushrod length and get stiffer springs. You also need a tune. Every time I have ever torn an engine down to install a cam I planned on figuring a little extra money for incidentals just in case (spark plugs, etc...). Unless it's low miles I don't see why you wouldn't replace the timing chain and oil pump also though.
Its running good now but I have dogged the **** out of it. I'm just trying to use all of the parts I had laying in the shop while I'm freshing up the trans. Its a stock car now but I'm about to put in a 4000 converter, long tubes, a 3.5" exhaust, and a 3.73. I've got this cam sitting here that I wanted to use but I'm getting ready to build a new motor so I didn't want to spend much on this one. I hate to waste money on stuff I won't need but about 6 months. I was mainly wondering about the push rod issue.
Launching!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 255
Likes: 1
From: Alberta, Canada
The push rod thing is kinda a tricky one. I installed a cam into a 2004 4.8l and it needed .050" longer pushrods, I installed the same cam in a 2002 6.0l and stock length pushrods were perfect. So I'm pretty sure it depends on your particular engine, since the 2 engines I listed should have been the same.
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Pushrods bend in bone stock motors. I had 3 that were "slightly" bowed when I did my cam swap. They're like limp noodles. Spend the 80-100 bucks and get some chromoly PR's.
Your going to need push rods. The stock pushrods can hardly control the stock valve train. They are equal to wet noodles. Plus you will need a tune for it to run correctly.
