blknSS

Well I'm at a crossroad. I've had the SS for spittle over a year now and have most of the major bolt one done...but I want/need more power and a choppy idle. (Crazy right?) I have done things right with this car and refuse to go the cheap route as far as parts but will save every dollar I can installing things myself. I am good with mechanical stuff and have almost every tool known to man at my disposal (except a lift). But I am weary of engine stuff due to the risk of having the damn thing explode on start up (yes I know not likely if I follow directions via ls1tech). Basically I want to hear it from someone who was sceptical of doing a h/c swap and then did it. Talk me into it. It will be my project over winter and will take my time to make sure its right. I just need a brave heart speech from ls1tech to push me further. Prepare me for battle.....

blknSS

As of now this is how the car sits.....

Slp tuned length Lt headers
Ory
Magnaflow CB
Ls6 intake
New plugs/wires
25% ud pulley
Air/egr!
Umi rear controll arms
Umi sway bars
Umi on-car adjustable panhard bar
Hotchkis struts tower brace
Bilstien hd's
Dyno tune
Made 33(x)hp/34(x)tq

I have done more but the rest is cosmetic and comfort stuff.

What Im thinking for a set up...
Texas speed package 5.3l heads and whatever springs they recomend
228r cam
Pushrods
Ls7 lifters
Ls2 lifter trays
C5r timing chain
Texas speed oil pump
Texas speed gasket kit
And p&p my throttle body
Rocker truision upgrade
Dyno tune

I might be missing some stuff so fill me in...

Looking for 400+HP/tq

Sales3@Texas-Speed

iTrader: (2)

Seems as your list is pretty complete. I vote for the DIY route as I find it is very satisfying when you have put something together with your own hands. Heads and cam are time consuming, but after one install yourself, you will be glad you did it and saved yourself the $.

tjwashow

iTrader: (2)

im in the same boat as you...i could take a long weekend and try and get it done my self. but i could also pay someone 300 and have it done in a day

sokr915

iTrader: (3)

I just did a cam swap and was very very skeptical. It really wasnt to bad. The most time consuming was the valvesprings, I wouldnt say it was hard tho. The most difficult for me was the oil pump. Just do it yourself and take your time.

blknSS

This is what I am talking about. But I do want to do it. I think when the real cold weather gets here and it snows I'll want something to do so why not.

A.R. Shale Targa

iTrader: (2)

Spend the next month studying LS1 Tech build threads and ask questions
from others while saving up some more coin. You'll be amazed at how the
blueprint to a successful H/C swap will come to you in no time.

2000PewterT/A

Go for it, take your time and read up as much as you can before attempting it. I am always an advocate for people doing the work themselves because it feels 100 times more gratifying when you drive it knowing you did all the work.

99Bluz28

iTrader: (35)

When I did H/C on my Camaro it was the first time ever doing it on any vehicle, and I did it all by myself; IMO do it yourself ! I'd also make sure you have all the fasteners, torque specs, and tightening sequences, and plenty of time before starting.
BTW, use a shopvac with a washable wet/dry filter after you remove the water pump to get most of the coolant out of the block and heads, it'll reduce your cleanup time after removing the heads.

1990LSx

iTrader: (9)

just take your time and double check everything. Make sure you install the cam dot to dot and also have a good calibrated torque wrench. Make sure you torque the rocker bolts properly. You CAN snap those bolts easily. Also stuff rags in the oil pan before you remove the oil pan pickup bolt. It will save you a headache.

blknSS

This I have been doing as well as trying to find out which can i will be happy with. I was at first thinking ms3 and but think with the mods I have now (mainly the slip tuned length lts) that it probably be better to keep my curve lower in the Rpm range.

blknSS

This will be my first h/c swap as well so this is good to hear. I do have a wet/dry vac. Good advice.

blknSS

Maybe I should wait til we get snow then I won't have the temptation to rush through it so I can drive it lol. I have A torque wrench...don't know how good it is... its brand new though so I hope its close. Good tip on the rags.

Sales3@Texas-Speed

iTrader: (2)

This has probably already been mentioned, but LS1howto.com has a pretty good step-by-step for this.

sokr915

iTrader: (3)

this video helped me alot

ldyzluvdis06

iTrader: (24)

i just did a H/C/trans/stall install...i was skeptical because i had never been that deep into an engine before...it's now finished and I'm glad i did it myself!!

Sales3@Texas-Speed

iTrader: (2)

I will be honest, I was a skeptic before my first install as well, but if you take your time and do your homework before hand, you will find its not too bad!

garygnu

blow out the head bolt holes !

CHADsterss

I pulled my engine/trans and did a LQ4 swap by using a write-up on this site. I quadruple checked every bolt I tightened down when I was putting it back together just to have the ease of mind. I vote DIY, after everything is done and you start it up for the first time the feeling you get is AWESOME!!!!

BrntWS6

iTrader: (7)

That's great, nice find.