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Thinking of tackling a cam install myself

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Old Mar 11, 2015 | 11:40 AM
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Default Thinking of tackling a cam install myself

I am new here, so any help around is appreciated.


I have a 00 ws6 has about 100k miles. So far i have done

Slp Lid
Ls6 intake
Hooker headers
Magnaflo and Y pipe
4:10 gears

I would like to add a cam in the next month or so. Just from reading around a ms3 might be the way i want to go. Any pro's or con's to this decision?
I have never done a cam install in a TA, surely there is a good write up i can stumble across.
The car is not a DD i drive it about a day or two a week usually.
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Old Mar 11, 2015 | 11:53 AM
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LT1wsap.com will have the info you need for cam install. Just make sure you get the proper tool to reinstall your balancer. Don't use the original bolt to pull it or you could be like others and ruin your crank.
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Old Mar 11, 2015 | 12:13 PM
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Also, let me warn you in advance to buy the pro comp valve spring compressor from summit. It's $100 well spent to save a tremendous amount of time. The actual cam swap part of the swap isn't bad at all.

Search for my thread "cam install from hell" to read how not to do it, or if you just want a few laughs.

As to which cam - anything in the 224-230 range on a 110-112 intake center line will give you a good power upgrade over stock and still drive pretty well. You don't indicate manual or automatic transmission. If auto, you'll need to look at a higher stall converter

If you did the headers yourself, you can do the cam swap. Ls1howto has a great write up with tons of pictures. Instead of the JRP tools, you can use 24" long 5/16 dowels to hold the lifters
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Old Mar 11, 2015 | 12:15 PM
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What are you end goals for the car? Getting a cam is good and all but heads are very important as well.
here is a thread that gives you a few things that will be needed for the install. I have never done one myself but I can tell you it will take a while, probably a weekend project.
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Old Mar 11, 2015 | 12:16 PM
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Check out the stickies to help get you up to speed. They're the threads at the top of the section highlighted in yellow and they were written to help answer questions that get asked over and over again or to help get noobies up to speed. For example:

*** Cam Guide ***

Post #5 has a link for probably one of the best and widely reference write ups for installing a cam and valvetrain into an LS F-Body.
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Old Mar 11, 2015 | 01:02 PM
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http://bangshift.com/bangshift1320/t...a-ton-of-work/
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Old Mar 11, 2015 | 01:08 PM
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it is a m6..

thanks for the info, i will start reading.
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Old Mar 11, 2015 | 01:20 PM
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I always use the ebay style tool. We actually made one with 1/4" metal and a stud and nut. I've done several this way.
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Old Mar 12, 2015 | 09:55 AM
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Tims tool
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Old Mar 15, 2015 | 12:37 PM
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The ls1howto write up is THE MOST detailed and accurate write up out there to do a cam swap. I like speed inc's spring compressor the best. Also 5/16 wooden dowel rods are what i used to hold the lifters up. Also wouldnt hurt to go ahead and buy either the comp cams or kent moore valve seal install tool. Just take your time and pay attention to what youre doing and you should be alright
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Old Mar 16, 2015 | 08:53 PM
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I second ls1howto. Extremely informative and plenty of pictures. Also second the 5/16" dowel rods for holding the lifters. Works great. It's worth the experience to do it yourself.

Last edited by SoonerBrad88; Mar 16, 2015 at 08:54 PM. Reason: mispelling
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Old Mar 17, 2015 | 11:16 PM
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Gray86hatch on here sells a nice flywheel holding tool for doing the crank bolt. A Nice valve spring tool is worth it as mentioned. I'd look into cam motion and fti for off the shelf cams.
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