flyin red TA

I am wondering if I'm capable of doing this without screwing up. I'm going to buy a smaller spring compressor, a 3 prong puller, and those pen magnets to keep a lifter from falling. If I work all day, possibly with a helper...can I finish in one day? I might even pull the radiator, airbox, valvecovers, and coil packs the night before.

$550 is a lot to spend on labor, so I really want to try this on my own. I'll be doing this sometime in the next few weeks when I have time off from work and school.

Jason99T/A

iTrader: (21)

I installed my cam a few weeks back. Not hard at all, just takes a little time. The valvesprings are the toughest part, but can be done with some patience. Having the correct tools is CRITICAL!!

AlonzoVersion 1.0

I just through installing my cam.It was not hard at all.Springs I dont know my heads already had them from my last cam.

TA_2001

You can do this.. I had a great time, took my
time , had GF help me.. started friday night
was fininished by 5 on sunday. Lots of breaks..
I used this proceedure..
http://ls1info.com/article.php?sid=49
Here is what the magnet trick looks like
also good pic of what springs and retainers
look like without rockers..
http://ls1info.com/article.php?sid=185
Here is a good look at the retainers and
there is pic of the entire setup broken down.
http://ls1info.com/article.php?sid=157

and this is the timing of DOT-2-DOT
http://ls1info.com/article.php?sid=192

dont forget you will need gaskets for
AIR tubes (2)
Cam Cover (1)
Water Pump (2)
new Crank Pully Bolt.

[ February 13, 2002: Message edited by: TA_2001 ]</p>

BIGBOS

We can do it peanut... <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0">

Bluestreak

Research, research, research. With a team of about 4 guys and a dozen or so "armchair mechanics" looking on, we did the install from start to finish in 13 hours. We started at 9am, finished at around 11pm.

I had about a half-dozen install documents from around here printed out. Tools are critical. I had air tools, the three-jaw puller, and several spring compressors handy.

Go slow, be thorough, check and double check torque specs and torque wrenches. I don't care what anyone tells you - just discharge your A/C, it's cheap, and it's easier to work on things if the condenser is out of the way - especially if you're unsure of your abilities as a mechanic, this will be one less thing to worry about. Use all new gaskets, and a new camshaft retainer plate, no matter what anyone tells you - it's cheap insurance that all the gaskets and new parts will seal well and work together seamlessly after all that labor. Replace the timing chain while you're in there unless you have very low miles. Keep valvetrain parts in good order so they go back in the same cylinders they came from.

I used the "magnet" trick, all 16, and the magnets were on sale for $1.49 a piece at AutoZone. I had three lifters refuse to stay in the retainers, so it was worthwhile.

Have a very stout impact wrench (500 or better ft-lbs. of torque) handy for breaking the crank bolt loose. Use a new crank bolt.

The springs are the hardest part, especially the last two on the passenger side. Put duct tape over the plastic cowl pins that hold the air shroud above the hood in place, or you'll scratch the **** out of your arms. Make sure the cam is pre-lubed and ready to go in. The actual cam swap takes less than 60 seconds, just go slow, have someone handy to hand-off cams, and be very cogniscent not to nick the cam bearings by gently seating it each time you slide another section of the cam in.

Bolt everything back up... and be sure you reconnect all the sensors and electrical connections, then turn her over. It's not a hard install, it just requires patience and a meticulous attention to detail if you've never done it before.

Above all, have fun. Despite all these little things to watch out for, I had a blast doing it. Good luck...

Jamie99TA

iTrader: (1)

I installed a T1 cam about a week ago and this was my first time changing a cam. I agree that it is not hard to do but it is a lot of work. It took me about 14 hours to complete. The valve springs took me about 5 hours to do. I didnt need any magnets to hold the lifters up. With the pushrods in, I rotated the cam and they all popped up and stayed there. In fact, it took some force to push them back down so I had no worries of a lifter falling. I did use a pen magnet to remove and install the keepers from the valve springs. This was a lifesaver.

Zangel

iTrader: (11)

Cam swap is REALLY easy! The springs are the hardest part but that only takes at the most..2 hours if you know what you are doing. It took us about 4-5 hours to change out the cam and the springs...but that is with some practice! Just take your time pulling/putting the cam in and listen to see if you can hear the lifters drop before taking it out. The valves stay up pretty well since the LS1 has the retainer plates that hold them there. If you want to be on the safe side use air to hold them up...apply it through the spark plug holes. Good luck!