Northwest Members WA, OR, ID, MT, WY, SD, ND

cam installer?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 6, 2009 | 11:54 PM
  #1  
firechicken76's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 697
Likes: 1
From: washington state
Exclamation cam installer?

looking to cam my ls1, if i provide the cam and all suporting items ( timing chain, springs etc) how much do places charge in the tacoma/oly/seattle area? car is in sig, looking to install a custom cam, not to big. Also wondering about dyno tuning...

just trying to get an estimate of how much the cam and everything will run me..
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2009 | 12:49 AM
  #2  
Crisisman's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 747
Likes: 0
From: Kent, WA
Default

There's a number of places in the south sound that can do it. I seem to recall most places charge around $2k for a cam job, but it's been a while since I had mine installed so I'm a little fuzzy on it. Some of our sponsors are set up for it. Turbo Tech comes right to mind, but there may be others.

Last edited by GEARHED; Feb 8, 2009 at 04:15 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2009 | 01:04 PM
  #3  
firechicken76's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 697
Likes: 1
From: washington state
Default

2k??? does that include cam, and everything?? or do i have to supply the cam? what should i change if im doing a cam swap? timing chain? my motor has about 35k on it.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2009 | 01:43 PM
  #4  
hawk584's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,786
Likes: 43
From: earth
Default

do you have tools?
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2009 | 03:50 PM
  #5  
firechicken76's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 697
Likes: 1
From: washington state
Default

Originally Posted by hawk584
do you have tools?
yup, and a shop, ive just never done a cam before, where are you located? im down here in aberdeen? about how long does it take to install one?
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2009 | 05:04 PM
  #6  
99blancoSS's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (115)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 9,892
Likes: 3
From: ST Helens, OR
Default

Where is Aberdeen? j/k your about 125 miles form me. I'll give you a hand. I have what ever tools you dont and between the both of us we'll get er done Save your money for the tune
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2009 | 06:35 PM
  #7  
crazylane's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 965
Likes: 0
From: Whidbey Island, Wa.
Default

Dude there is nothing to it. Once you start tearin into it, it goes like clock work. It took me two days to do my first one. But I only worked on the car a total of 13 hrs. I just took my time, and double checked everything.

Go to ls1howtoo.com.. Read the write up a couple of times, and tear into it.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2009 | 06:56 PM
  #8  
jsteele90's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,870
Likes: 2
From: delaware
Default

easy job just make sure to get something to hold those lifters up!
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 7, 2009 | 10:29 PM
  #9  
firechicken76's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 697
Likes: 1
From: washington state
Default

yea, ive heard about the russian roulette lifter game lol.

anyone have any patriot gold valve springs for sale?
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2009 | 06:58 AM
  #10  
98goldz28's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
Default

I just got some patriot golds for my cam swap but not for sale.... Good luck with your swap man.

You asked what you would change out.
I would change
LS7 lifters
hardened push rods
melling high volume pump
patriot gold springs
ls2 timing chain

I might be forgetting something there
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2009 | 11:04 AM
  #11  
firechicken76's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 697
Likes: 1
From: washington state
Default

Originally Posted by 98goldz28
I just got some patriot golds for my cam swap but not for sale.... Good luck with your swap man.

You asked what you would change out.
I would change
LS7 lifters
hardened push rods
melling high volume pump
patriot gold springs
ls2 timing chain

I might be forgetting something there
how much did your swap run you? including tune and all... how big of a cam did you go with? should i have to change my clutch? its an ls6 clutch with 35k on it.
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2009 | 11:23 AM
  #12  
hawk584's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,786
Likes: 43
From: earth
Default

Originally Posted by firechicken76
yup, and a shop, ive just never done a cam before, where are you located? im down here in aberdeen? about how long does it take to install one?
save the $$ and get them hands dirty. i'm not near you so i can't help, would if i could though. i think my buddy can do a cam swap in a matter of hours. YOU AN DO IT!!
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2009 | 02:32 PM
  #13  
sidewayz28's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,548
Likes: 1
From: seattle
Default

Originally Posted by hawk584
save the $$ and get them hands dirty. i'm not near you so i can't help, would if i could though. i think my buddy can do a cam swap in a matter of hours. YOU AN DO IT!!
seriously, spending anything close to "$1000-1500", is a rip off.
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2009 | 03:00 PM
  #14  
99LSS1's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 0
From: Monroe Wa.
Default

$1000.00 is really not that much if the tuning is included in the price. That being said, Most people can do it themselves if they have the right tools and a little bit of mechanical knowledge!! They will still have to pay for the Tuning though. On average this will cost $250 to $450 depending on who you have do it.
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2009 | 04:34 PM
  #15  
NWDragRacer's Avatar
10 Second Club
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by 99LSS1
$1000.00 is really not that much if the tuning is included in the price. That being said, Most people can do it themselves if they have the right tools and a little bit of mechanical knowledge!! They will still have to pay for the Tuning though. On average this will cost $250 to $450 depending on who you have do it.

Do you have the tools to align the pan and front seal or are you going to "wing it" and hope it doesn't leak?
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2009 | 05:25 PM
  #16  
crazylane's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 965
Likes: 0
From: Whidbey Island, Wa.
Default

Originally Posted by NWDragRacer
Do you have the tools to align the pan and front seal or are you going to "wing it" and hope it doesn't leak?
I never needed a pin, and mine never leaked. Just make sure you put the Crank pully on before you tighten the pan bolts... Its self aligning.
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2009 | 05:55 PM
  #17  
firechicken76's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 697
Likes: 1
From: washington state
Default

Originally Posted by sidewayz28
seriously, spending anything close to "$1000-1500", is a rip off.
400 for a custom cam
255 for the springs
350 for the tune
95 for the timing chain
100 or so for pushrods
100 for lifters

it adds up and thats getting my hands dirty lol
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2009 | 05:56 PM
  #18  
tjwong's Avatar
FormerVendor
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 247
Likes: 0
From: Portland Oregon
Default

Originally Posted by crazylane
I never needed a pin, and mine never leaked. Just make sure you put the Crank pully on before you tighten the pan bolts... Its self aligning.

I have all the LS engine tools and I have never had one come back with a leak. Before that I winged two of them and they didn't leak either knock on wood. But I prefer not to wing it, especially on a new Z06 and when its got my name on it. It's pretty embarassing when someone comes back with oil drooling all over their nice clean Corvette.

Originally Posted by NWDragRacer
Do you have the tools to align the pan and front seal or are you going to "wing it" and hope it doesn't leak?
What about rent and overhead in a REAL SHOP? That goes for a lot too. Shops go by flat rate manuals to charge their labor out, it isn't time that they just dream up. While one thinks $1000 is high for a cam install, labor hours per the book and the shops labor rate can often be high.
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2009 | 07:06 PM
  #19  
firehawk618's Avatar
Launching!
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Marysville, WA
Default

Yep what TJ said. Plus winging it on the front cover may work, but do you really want to pull of the pulley a 2nd time? They are a pain to get back on.

Also you mentioned changing out the timing chain....I think most of these guys who are saying it's super easy did not change their timing components. Just cam and springs.

It's not too difficult but certainly isn't easy.
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2009 | 08:21 PM
  #20  
crazylane's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (19)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 965
Likes: 0
From: Whidbey Island, Wa.
Default

100K Plus on my 02 z.. I changed the pump and chain. Not hard at all.

Just throw a lot of vasiline on there so the pump slides on easyier....
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:44 PM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE