Head and cam swap difficulty?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Head and cam swap difficulty? Hey, i'm sorta a newb but i got a lot of patience and love to work on my car. I've got about 3 grand coming my way and was wondering how difficult it'd be to do a head and cam swap on my car (1995 formula). Thinking about doing a le2 head and 223/230 cam, how long and how difficult would it be to do the swap myself? Also what other parts am i looking at replacing if i go through with it (engine has almost 140,000 miles), timing set, lifters, and whatnot?
Any input would be great.
Any input would be great.
it can be as complicated as you make it! like anything worth doing attention to detail is the only solution!
look over the parts get tools laid out,drain pans ready,jackstands and jack and be patient especially with the oil pan to chain cover seal........
look over the parts get tools laid out,drain pans ready,jackstands and jack and be patient especially with the oil pan to chain cover seal........
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?category=0 this will give you a pretty good idea. not all that dificult but not something you want to do the first time w/o someone that has done it before. installing the cam properly is a big deal to say the least lol.
If its a 14 yo car you will want to do a few things Im sure. timing chain, spark plugs, wires, thermostat etc. What do you have done already? If your car doesnt have headers already I would do that first, along with the stuff mentioned above. If the cars stock I would check with some of the lt1 guys and see what they recommend but I would do headers and some kind of intake and exhaust first. Of course then youll have to worry about your clutch/stall.
Again not sure about lt1's but Im sure you will need a new fuel pump, probably an upgraded oil pump, most likely injectors too. Its a pretty big jump from stock-h/c. I dont wanna discourage you at all in any way, but if the cars stock youll probably need more than 3k to do a h/c swap and the supporting stuff.
If its a 14 yo car you will want to do a few things Im sure. timing chain, spark plugs, wires, thermostat etc. What do you have done already? If your car doesnt have headers already I would do that first, along with the stuff mentioned above. If the cars stock I would check with some of the lt1 guys and see what they recommend but I would do headers and some kind of intake and exhaust first. Of course then youll have to worry about your clutch/stall.
Again not sure about lt1's but Im sure you will need a new fuel pump, probably an upgraded oil pump, most likely injectors too. Its a pretty big jump from stock-h/c. I dont wanna discourage you at all in any way, but if the cars stock youll probably need more than 3k to do a h/c swap and the supporting stuff.
Trending Topics
For your first time, budget yourself a week, to work slow and get everything done right. Do as said above, get everything organized. Keep everything clean! A good write up is priceless. Here are a couple:
http://www.afrashteh.com/guide/install.htm
http://shbox.com/ci/cam_removal.html
http://shbox.com/ci/cam_install.html
http://www.afrashteh.com/guide/install.htm
http://shbox.com/ci/cam_removal.html
http://shbox.com/ci/cam_install.html
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Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Texas
so far the only mods i've done is cai, gonna do new exhaust including catback and headers (probably magnaflow and pacesetter), also gonna get my intake ported and upgrade the TB to a 52mm unit. I plan on doing those very soon, and then do the head cam swap.
Thanks for all the responses so far, how do ya'll like the le2 with 223/230 cam?
Thanks for all the responses so far, how do ya'll like the le2 with 223/230 cam?
so far the only mods i've done is cai, gonna do new exhaust including catback and headers (probably magnaflow and pacesetter), also gonna get my intake ported and upgrade the TB to a 52mm unit. I plan on doing those very soon, and then do the head cam swap.
Thanks for all the responses so far, how do ya'll like the le2 with 223/230 cam?
Thanks for all the responses so far, how do ya'll like the le2 with 223/230 cam?
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Northwest of Milwaukee, WI
I helped with my H/C upgrade last summer. I was introduced to a very knowledgeable guy of LT1s. He almost had every tool that we needed, already. He asked me if I wanted to help with the swap or pay for having it done. I said I had no problem turning wrenches with him, and it was a great experience. I hadn't worked on any car motors since the mid '70s when I had a 1970 Olds 442 W30. Motors have changed a lot with all the pollution equipment that has been added and fuel injection since that time. It took the two of us between 40-44 hours to get the job done. I had a great time and the satisfaction of helping make the improvements...well it can't be measured. I also gained a friend. We didn't have many problems, but my Firehawk only had 16,000 miles on the car and no winter miles at all, so no salt corrosion. So all I can say is have fun and take it slow. Eventually you'll get that smile from ear to ear when you take that first run after it is complete.
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: st jo mo
just did mine and the worst part i thought was torqin the head bolts the rear ones are a pain. and def watch the timing to oil pan seal i tore mine taking the cover off. i would also replace push rods while your n there all in all its not all that bad of a deal. dont forget all the gaskets and fluids you have to get its ll the little stuff that adds up
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: st jo mo
proly around a hundred hundred fifty for all the gaskets and fluids and i got my comp push rods from thunder racing they were like 30 or 40 i think i just got ls1 lifters used cus new there high. but you can use ls1 ls2 ls6 ls7 lifters in the lt1 there all the same part number.
pay close attention to TQ sequence and , what to use thread sealant on
take your time and read up
I would atleast replace the timing set/belt,lifters,pushrods, dont forget about a tune.
140,000 is alot of a short block, H&C is more stress on it might want to rebuild the shortblock now, instead of later
take your time and read up
I would atleast replace the timing set/belt,lifters,pushrods, dont forget about a tune.
140,000 is alot of a short block, H&C is more stress on it might want to rebuild the shortblock now, instead of later
