whammer33024

iTrader: (6)

hey guys...just bought a cam and have all the supporting parts to do a cam swap. just wondering about how long i should be expecting this to take. me and a mechanic buddy will be doing it and we have pretty much every tool under the sun, except the spring remover tool which we will be borrowing from someone else. rough estimate? i will probably add 2-3 hours to what i hear as beer will be involved i'm sure, haha

thanks!

ss.slp.ls1

iTrader: (36)

Depends on how familiar you are with these engines and how quickly you work. You should be taking your time anyway. If you have all the tools, parts, gaskets, seals, sealers, and fluids, cleaners, and lots of paper towels on hand and a buddy to help...I don't see why you couldn't get it done on a long productive sat or sun. That being said, if it's your first time, try to budget for two days, like a weekend. You should have plenty of time to learn as you go and get the job done.

Cvaught

iTrader: (13)

I have done two cam swaps with a couple buddy's. We were all rookies at it and the first one took about 26 hours and the second one was about 22 hours. We did it all day friday and all day saturday.

Badazz 97 TA

iTrader: (18)

provided everything goes smoothly and you dont have any hold ups during the process. You should be able to have it running in a weekend.

jayz28

iTrader: (3)

That's a pretty big job. But can definately be done in a weekend. I'm assuming the engine will remain in the car. Good luck with removing the timing cover. The oil pan gasket is usually stick to it and many people rip it causing oil leaks and/or replacement of the gasket. Good luck with the cam swap and I'd like to know myself on how long it will take. I will be attempting one myself sometime this summer. A friend of mine is in the market for a cam if anyone has one. Oh, and what cam are you going with?

airfix

iTrader: (30)

When I did Mine a month ago, It was my first time tearing into an engine. I took my time and worked on it a bit everynight after work, took me 2 Weeks including waiting for a few parts. If I did it again Im sure I could do it in a weekend. Depends on your experiance.

robsquikz28

iTrader: (246)

definately in a weekend, if you have all the proper tools, air compressor and reasonable knowledge of engines.....torque specs and shbox.com works awesome

whammer33024

iTrader: (6)

shbox has been read over a few times. should be a pretty straight forward thing. just wanted to get an idea before we broke into it. i will definitely be taking my time and making sure its all done properly.

i went with the AI 226/334 i bought used off of fergymoto. i've heard nothing but good things about it so i went with it.

bought pretty much all the parts used but with very low miles and from reputable sellers so i'm very confident i won't have any issues

ss.slp.ls1

iTrader: (36)

I'm sure you will love that cam.

myltwon

iTrader: (1)

if you have an oil cooler on your car remove it before you try to remove the oil pan, also remove the condensor don't try to just swing it out of the way, seen way to many people break the lines going into it

whammer33024

iTrader: (6)

thanks for the advice...i will keep both of those in mind. any other ideas to make this easier on me would be very appreciated!

the_merv

iTrader: (88)

I could do it in a day, but I've been around these engines for a while and I have the tools. Pretty much it comes down to experience.

z28rob18

iTrader: (7)

my advice to make it quicker get some zip lock bags and seperate and label all the bolts.

myltwon

iTrader: (1)

honestly two biggest PITA things were the spring swap (crane dual coils) and dropping the oil pan, everything else was pretty cake

+1 on organizing ****

the_merv

iTrader: (88)

I had to customize the Craftsman Valve Spring Puller for my Dual Coil Springs..them things are a pain in the ***.

myltwon

iTrader: (1)

I have a scar on my forehead about half an inch from my left eye. bs scissor style spring compressor was the only one that had enough lip to grip the inner spring but the style of the compressor didn't allow me to have a hand securing the spring to keep it from shooting out incase of a slip. split my head open and almost lost an eyeball over a friggin cc503

ss.slp.ls1

iTrader: (36)

^^^Ouch.
Crane spring compressor ftw.
Had mine modified to work on both LT1's and LS1's.

whammer33024

iTrader: (6)

ugh...now my buddy is trying to talk me into just building the block i have sitting in my garage. its been bored .030 over, i have forged srp pistons and forged manley rods with an eagle 3.875 forged crank. he says he is more than confident that he can put the pistons, rods, and crank in with no issues. i would still need better heads, and if i want to maximize the power, i'd need a better cam. decisions decisions...i suppose it would be easier to do everything to an engine that's not in the car though. waht do you think?

ss.slp.ls1

iTrader: (36)

You need to have the rotating assembly balanced by a machine shop. Not to mention having the block clearanced for the larger stroke. Has your buddy assembled engines before?

Good flowing heads are essential to making power in a stroker motor.
Another vital aspect is a wisely chosen cam.

jayz28

iTrader: (3)

In the end you would enjoy it alot more. And pulling one of those engine isnt' all that bad. The worst thing, is the wait.