How to on cam install?
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TECH Apprentice
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From: Atlantic city nj
How to on cam install? I am thinking of camming the ss , but have never installed a cam before. I'm a do it yourselfer, so dont want to spend $1600 plus on having it done. My question is, is there a how to site specific to and lsx car on the ins and outs of how to do it? Springs, degree, pushrods,ect. This is something i always wanted to know how to do , and now that my car isnt my dd , i have the chance. I just dont want to go in blind.
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From: E.Peoria, IL / Jacksonville, NC
ls1howto.com is the place to go. JUST TAKE YOUR TIME! If you have any doubt about the last thing you did.... take it apart double check and do it again if you think its wrong. Be sure to have a Haynes manual handy as a good backup.
Originally Posted by h8s2w8
ls1howto.com is the place to go. JUST TAKE YOUR TIME! If you have any doubt about the last thing you did.... take it apart double check and do it again if you think its wrong. Be sure to have a Haynes manual handy as a good backup.
i have done many cam installs but on older vehicles/cars so it was very good experience for me!!! 
11 Second Club
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 169
Likes: 4
From: Millersville, Maryland
Another vote for ls1howto.com. I did my first cam swap last winter and by following the step-by-step instructions everthing went smoothly.
Like h8s2w8 said, take your time. Rushing leads to mistakes and the consequences can be very costly.
A couple of other recomendations:
1) if you get to a step in the directions that doesn't seem completely clear to you, don't guess. Ask for help on ls1tech. I had to check one or two things and I got answers back in like 15 minutes. People are glad to help.
2) don't work when you're tired.
3) alway use a torque wrench. Guys that do this for a living might have the experience to tighten bolts "by feel" with reasonable accuracy. The rest of should use a torque wrench and not risk snapping bolts, stripping threads or having things come apart.
4) wait until you knock off for the day before you open the beer.
Like h8s2w8 said, take your time. Rushing leads to mistakes and the consequences can be very costly.
A couple of other recomendations:
1) if you get to a step in the directions that doesn't seem completely clear to you, don't guess. Ask for help on ls1tech. I had to check one or two things and I got answers back in like 15 minutes. People are glad to help.
2) don't work when you're tired.
3) alway use a torque wrench. Guys that do this for a living might have the experience to tighten bolts "by feel" with reasonable accuracy. The rest of should use a torque wrench and not risk snapping bolts, stripping threads or having things come apart.
4) wait until you knock off for the day before you open the beer.
www.ls1howto.com OWNS all other cam install write-ups. If you run across a problem aske here, people are quick to respond usually.
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Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 54
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From: Minnesota
I just used ls1howto this weekend and it is extremely helpful.
An absolute must is buying a couple spare locks, I didn't and probably spent an hour with a pen magnet probing around to find a few we dropped.
An absolute must is buying a couple spare locks, I didn't and probably spent an hour with a pen magnet probing around to find a few we dropped.
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Originally Posted by zheiling
I just used ls1howto this weekend and it is extremely helpful.
An absolute must is buying a couple spare locks, I didn't and probably spent an hour with a pen magnet probing around to find a few we dropped.
An absolute must is buying a couple spare locks, I didn't and probably spent an hour with a pen magnet probing around to find a few we dropped.
A couple of extra valve locks are cheap insurance. I got all the way to the last valve and lost ONE lock. 
Had to put everything on hold for about an hour while I BACK to the dealership (thats the only place that I could find them) I had just visited that morning.
I used LS1howto as well and highly recommend it. Good luck on your install.
R/
Frat
Had to put everything on hold for about an hour while I BACK to the dealership (thats the only place that I could find them) I had just visited that morning.
I used LS1howto as well and highly recommend it. Good luck on your install.
R/
Frat
Originally Posted by CASHss99
valve locks... when you compress the springs there are lock sthat hol dthe spring to the valve
Do not forget about the stickies in the internal engine section at the top of this page. That info and the ls1howto.com are all you need to know... if you get stuck just come on here and ask for help you will get all the help you can stand..
It really is an easy job to do yourself as long as you can turn a wrench.
Take out the radiator and waterpump and your there. Get a decent pulley remover, I rented mine from a local rental place. Pop off the crank pulley and you have the timing cover and thats it. If your changing the oil pump you have a little more work ahead of you and you should read that section carefully. It can be a little tricky putting the pickup tube bolt back in.
I rent out the specialty tools thru the mail as well. You'll need to hold the lifters out of the way when you swap the cam. You use either 16 pen magnets, wooden dowels or buy the rods that I have already bought and rent out.
Then you'll need to hold the valves up when you change valve springs. I have the air fittings if you decide to use compressed air. I also have the Crane dual spring tool for changing the valve springs. It is the best tool on the planet for the job. It is made for the ls1/lt1 head. It will cut your time in half at least.
If you have any questions post up.
Take out the radiator and waterpump and your there. Get a decent pulley remover, I rented mine from a local rental place. Pop off the crank pulley and you have the timing cover and thats it. If your changing the oil pump you have a little more work ahead of you and you should read that section carefully. It can be a little tricky putting the pickup tube bolt back in.
I rent out the specialty tools thru the mail as well. You'll need to hold the lifters out of the way when you swap the cam. You use either 16 pen magnets, wooden dowels or buy the rods that I have already bought and rent out.
Then you'll need to hold the valves up when you change valve springs. I have the air fittings if you decide to use compressed air. I also have the Crane dual spring tool for changing the valve springs. It is the best tool on the planet for the job. It is made for the ls1/lt1 head. It will cut your time in half at least.
If you have any questions post up.
Originally Posted by 99blancoSS
It really is an easy job to do yourself as long as you can turn a wrench.
Take out the radiator and waterpump and your there. Get a decent pulley remover, I rented mine from a local rental place. Pop off the crank pulley and you have the timing cover and thats it. If your changing the oil pump you have a little more work ahead of you and you should read that section carefully. It can be a little tricky putting the pickup tube bolt back in.
I rent out the specialty tools thru the mail as well. You'll need to hold the lifters out of the way when you swap the cam. You use either 16 pen magnets, wooden dowels or buy the rods that I have already bought and rent out.
Then you'll need to hold the valves up when you change valve springs. I have the air fittings if you decide to use compressed air. I also have the Crane dual spring tool for changing the valve springs. It is the best tool on the planet for the job. It is made for the ls1/lt1 head. It will cut your time in half at least.
If you have any questions post up.
Take out the radiator and waterpump and your there. Get a decent pulley remover, I rented mine from a local rental place. Pop off the crank pulley and you have the timing cover and thats it. If your changing the oil pump you have a little more work ahead of you and you should read that section carefully. It can be a little tricky putting the pickup tube bolt back in.
I rent out the specialty tools thru the mail as well. You'll need to hold the lifters out of the way when you swap the cam. You use either 16 pen magnets, wooden dowels or buy the rods that I have already bought and rent out.
Then you'll need to hold the valves up when you change valve springs. I have the air fittings if you decide to use compressed air. I also have the Crane dual spring tool for changing the valve springs. It is the best tool on the planet for the job. It is made for the ls1/lt1 head. It will cut your time in half at least.
If you have any questions post up.
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Atlantic city nj
thanks again guys, when i start i will most likely be asking you guys for more help. I'm sure Your recomendations will def come in handy. Also. If i need those tools , i know who to see.
11 Second Club
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 169
Likes: 4
From: Millersville, Maryland
Originally Posted by 99blancoSS
I rent out the specialty tools thru the mail as well. You'll need to hold the lifters out of the way when you swap the cam. You use either 16 pen magnets, wooden dowels or buy the rods that I have already bought and rent out.
Originally Posted by 99blancoSS
Then you'll need to hold the valves up when you change valve springs. I have the air fittings if you decide to use compressed air.