Time to do cam & springs?
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11 Second Club
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From: Michigan (Macomb or Lansing)
Time to do cam & springs? So I ordered a cam. Here's my situation. I am at college 1.5 hrs from home. My ride is in storage. I need to know in reality how long it would take to do a cam swap. I wil lhave everything I need at my disposal but I only go home like once or twice a month. Turkey day ill be home a few days longer. Also, Xmas ill be home for 2 weeks. When do you think I should do the project? Can i finish it in a weekend (fri, sat, and some of sun) or should I wait for a longer break? I am gonna be changing cam, springs, retainers, seats and misc, pushrods, timing chain, oil pump, and i think thats about it. Also, do you think it might be a goo idea to do springs one weekend and then do the cam itself another time?
I did longtube headers in 3 days or so. One day of heavy labor and another two of just a few hours.
Also, do you think I should get the car on full coverage for a few days and take it driving so i can know a distinct before and after or will I know the difference for sure? I havent driven my ride in months.
I will worry about a tune after. Ideally, I want to have the car ready in the spring so I can hop in it and go!
I did longtube headers in 3 days or so. One day of heavy labor and another two of just a few hours.
Also, do you think I should get the car on full coverage for a few days and take it driving so i can know a distinct before and after or will I know the difference for sure? I havent driven my ride in months.
I will worry about a tune after. Ideally, I want to have the car ready in the spring so I can hop in it and go!
Yes, you can do it in a weekend. I'm curious what made you decide to change the retainers, seats, oil pump, and timing chain especially with an 02. No need to go that in depth IMO. Just do the springs and pushrods and be done. Just take your time and follow the how to. Mike
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (14)
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,653
Likes: 1
From: Michigan (Macomb or Lansing)
the ls2 timing chain was cheap. Umm I chose the torquer v3, it has a lot of lift so i had to go with prc doubles and they come with all the other stuff. I was debating oil pump but in the end i said screw it and did it.
Originally Posted by pHEnomIC
I was debating oil pump but in the end i said screw it and did it.
. Pump has to come off if you're gonna do the chain, so if you plan on doing the chain plan on doing the pump. If you lived closer to GR I'd tell you to bring the car over and we'd bust it out, but Mt. Clemens is too far for me. The biggest PITA is the springs IMO. Especially if you're not using air to hold up the valves. Rolling each one to TDC sucks. Good luck. Mike 
The time it will take to install will depend on your experience. I took my time and spread it out over a week, however, getting it all done on a weekend is definately possible. IMO I would do it over the two week christmas break. That would allow for any "uh-oh's"....and you could still watch football. 
As for the oil pump, I dissassembled mine and put the body on, got the pick up tube in and was able to ensure the o-ring did not kink, and then centered it on the crank. A little oil on the gears and you are set. When you put the cover back on it gets torqued to 18 ft lbs. If you decide to take your pump apart you should still use a clean rags in the bottom of the pan in case you drop the bolt....and have a pen magnet handy as well. Thats what I used to get the bolt positioned.
Zspot98 has a good point with the springs. The TDC method will work just fine, however, I found it was easier to use air to hold the valves up.
LS1tech and LS1howto will come in handy during your install.
R/
Frat
As for the oil pump, I dissassembled mine and put the body on, got the pick up tube in and was able to ensure the o-ring did not kink, and then centered it on the crank. A little oil on the gears and you are set. When you put the cover back on it gets torqued to 18 ft lbs. If you decide to take your pump apart you should still use a clean rags in the bottom of the pan in case you drop the bolt....and have a pen magnet handy as well. Thats what I used to get the bolt positioned.
Zspot98 has a good point with the springs. The TDC method will work just fine, however, I found it was easier to use air to hold the valves up.
LS1tech and LS1howto will come in handy during your install.
R/
Frat
Last edited by Fratsit; Oct 25, 2006 at 08:46 AM.
