View Poll Results: Who dis your cam install
Myself
26
50.00%
Help from friends
14
26.92%
Reputable shop
12
23.08%
Voters: 52. You may not vote on this poll
Who did your cam install?
08-04-2011, 08:52 AM
#1
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Who did your cam install? Ive installed my fair share of bolt-ons. Rearends, LT's, shocks and springs, ect. I've worked a few mustangs here and there as well. But a cam swap is something I don't think I could trust myself with. Seems like a bigger bite than I can chew. So how many of you have done your own cam install? Who helped you and how long did it take? I know there are plenty of awesome write-ups to go by, but it's always seems easier on paper. If you did do your own install, any advice?
08-04-2011, 12:55 PM
#6
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I did mine myself, but I cheated...the engine was on a stand at the time lol. I've done plenty of small block chevy cam swaps before, so I really just dug into the LSx and hoped for the best. Found out in the process that the LSx is WAY easier to work on than a typical small block chevy, IMO.
08-04-2011, 01:07 PM
#7
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I did my heads cam with the help of a few buddies. The write ups are so good its hard to screw it up. It does help to have someone with you that knows mechanics even if theyve never worked on an ls1 before. This way you could ask them questions like "is this ok? Is it supposed to be like this? How do I get this cam out without scoring something? etc etc..."
Im i guess what some would call a "weekend wrencher". I have no formal training or anything, just been doing it for years now and picking up what ive learned. I was scared about the install at first, but after searching around and asking people whove done it before and reading the how to's a couple of times i wasnt scared anymore. I was even going to do it by myself if no one was around to help.
All in all its really pretty easy, just take your time, follow the how tos, pay attention to what youre doing and if you get frustrated or need to take a break just walk away and cool off. My install took about a week working on it maybe 5 hours the first day, maybe an hour every night during the week, and then maybe 4-5 hours to get it all back together. I was double and triple checking everything. Good luck!
Im i guess what some would call a "weekend wrencher". I have no formal training or anything, just been doing it for years now and picking up what ive learned. I was scared about the install at first, but after searching around and asking people whove done it before and reading the how to's a couple of times i wasnt scared anymore. I was even going to do it by myself if no one was around to help.
All in all its really pretty easy, just take your time, follow the how tos, pay attention to what youre doing and if you get frustrated or need to take a break just walk away and cool off. My install took about a week working on it maybe 5 hours the first day, maybe an hour every night during the week, and then maybe 4-5 hours to get it all back together. I was double and triple checking everything. Good luck!
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08-04-2011, 01:14 PM
#9
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I did mine myself with the help of friends. Its always good to have some extra hands but if you have to you can manage. I followed the steps on ls1howto.com and it was very easy to follow.
ALSO invest in a set of ratchet wrenches.
ALSO invest in a set of ratchet wrenches.
08-07-2011, 05:12 PM
#14
I was planning on taking the plunge and installing my cam myself until my mechanic quoted me $700 for a full cam/heads/intake install (seems like a killer price to me!). I'll probably just go that route and maybe try my headers/motor mount install to recoup some of the costs.
08-07-2011, 06:24 PM
#17
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i have done a couple myself and its not too hard. also, ls1howto.com is great to reference and will be invaluable to you if you're doing it for the first time.
08-08-2011, 09:14 AM
#19
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I've done everything by myself. I've asked a lot of questions though as well. I've had a **** hair of help from some people but not enough to count. Just for an extra set of hands to hold this or that up while I do something.
So far its been two cam swaps, heads, stall and misc. **** as well.
So far its been two cam swaps, heads, stall and misc. **** as well.
