Trucks are easier then F/Y- bodys but still take time..... 
Cam install in WA
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Cam install in WA Hey guys I am a regular on PT.net ever since the trucks got separated from ls1tech.com. I looked into a cam install in Spokane and just labor was $1,000. 
Here is my problem. When I drove my truck to TX in December, cam installs(labor) were ~$300. I asked around a few shops and they were all in the same ballpark. The only thing that kept me from doing it was the drive back which was around 2200 miles. Now I dont have to worry about it being a daily driver and want to install a TR224 or custom grind COMP 226 .585 112 with XER lobes.
I have searched and it looks like Ellis might know shops in the area. What kind of prices do they got?
Thanks in advance for any help
Here is my problem. When I drove my truck to TX in December, cam installs(labor) were ~$300. I asked around a few shops and they were all in the same ballpark. The only thing that kept me from doing it was the drive back which was around 2200 miles. Now I dont have to worry about it being a daily driver and want to install a TR224 or custom grind COMP 226 .585 112 with XER lobes.
I have searched and it looks like Ellis might know shops in the area. What kind of prices do they got?
Thanks in advance for any help
Last edited by GEARHED; Apr 14, 2007 at 04:58 AM.
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Cam installs are not easy, you have to tear the whole front of the motor off.. and I know it will be more than $300...not sure how much though, Ellis or someone should be chiming in here soon...
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Yeah I know they arent easy. I have seen several of the how to guides and just dont want to tear into it myself. Allen Nelson from Nelson Performance in San Antonio, TX has done it anywhere from 3-5 hours.
I am expecting to pay more than $300 but never will I pay $1K just for labor.
I am expecting to pay more than $300 but never will I pay $1K just for labor.
I don't know of a shop in the Spokane area. If you were over here, I'd say call Ellis. I don't know for sure what his std rate is - depends on several things like do you want to replace springs, oil pump, timing set, etc - but if you are supplying the parts that is too much, I'd expect more like $5-600, unless it included a dyno tune, then maybe....
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If he is going to install just the cam and nothing else. Maybe 5 to 600. But if he has to install a new set of springs to match the cam you are talking another couple hours at least. Labor rates in our area here average $90+ per hour. If you throw in a dyno tune that adds another $450 or there abouts.
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I don't think that anyone should be encouraging you to think in terms of "cam ONLY" With that 226 you WILL need a dyno tune... I'm not sure, but,... you should be looking at the WHOLE set up what kind of,...."flow" will you have?? in other words what kind of (1) intake (2) throttle body (3) exhaust system (from front to back) Brother I just got my car back from T.J. Wong's performance @503-784-9345.. YESTERDAY!!! Head and cam install,.. and it is more than I was even hoping for and man,....I was hoping for a LOT!! But,.....It took me FIVE FREEKEN YEARS to get all the things done That you MUST get done to avoid WASTING money by NOT maximising your investment!! and bro.,......I'm sorry but it cost a lot of money,..that's why I took so long and started with ALL the supporting mods in ORDER of sequence I'm just trying to help. I don't turn a lot of wrenches anymore but we have a local "wrench" that can answer ALL your questions hes no poser you will find him in the "staging lane"
Last edited by GEARHED; Apr 16, 2007 at 09:00 PM.
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I am by no means doing cam only. I was asking for labor costs as far as a cam goes. I do not need a "dyno tune" so I got that covered. Some 918 springs and hardened pushrods will also be going in.
My main rant was that a speed shop in Spokane was charging me $1,000 for the cam install ONLY.
My main rant was that a speed shop in Spokane was charging me $1,000 for the cam install ONLY.
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OK OK Bro. but be advised,....you will NOT find ANYONE worth his straps telling you that with the 226 @ 585 that you mentioned that you will not have to ALSO get a dyno tune. I think that for the aplication you mentioned that the 224/224 @ 112 is the most popular and even that DOES require the re-tune of the engines electronics. That said, you might be one of the guys that can do it! Good luck and take your time.
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Oh no I dont mean to come off as if I am not tuning it again at all, but if I did I apologize. I WILL be getting a retune for any cam I choose. The only cam I probably wouldnt tune for is the 212/218 .522/.529 114 most trucks USED to run. Even then I would probably extend shift points, etc, etc. My tuner will be tuning it shortly after install and I will be going back to the dyno to compare to my previous dyno run of 305/334. Actually the TR224 was my cam of choice last year and a very popular cam in the LQ9, but AP2002(a member here) ran a 12.50 all motor in his LQ9 ECSB with all boltons, fuddle 3200, and the 226 585 112(similiar to the patriot cam but custom ground by comp). Stock heads.
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Originally Posted by OUT2WIN
I am by no means doing cam only. I was asking for labor costs as far as a cam goes. I do not need a "dyno tune" so I got that covered. Some 918 springs and hardened pushrods will also be going in.
My main rant was that a speed shop in Spokane was charging me $1,000 for the cam install ONLY.
My main rant was that a speed shop in Spokane was charging me $1,000 for the cam install ONLY.
Sounds like whoever is trying to ding you with Corvette tax with the labor price.
Hey have you called Brian Rothman at Shelley's performance and dyno center here in Spokane. He is pretty good and usually doesn't charge too much and he has the tuning software. Give him a call if you haven't already 509-891-0177
Originally Posted by OUT2WIN
LOL.....Between Seattle and Spokane 
12 miles south of Moses Lake
12 miles south of Moses Lake TECH Enthusiast
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Originally Posted by 2002BLKTA
Hey have you called Brian Rothman at Shelley's performance and dyno center here in Spokane. He is pretty good and usually doesn't charge too much and he has the tuning software. Give him a call if you haven't already 509-891-0177
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Originally Posted by Rawr256
Out of curiosity... what speed shop did you take it too? There are three that I can think of off the top of my head, never talked to any of them though. Snow's auto, Auto Worx and Shelley's performance. Shelley's is the only one that I am aware of that has a dyno, probably going to drop by there sometime this summer with my cars to get a run and see what #'s they are making.
Sounds like whoever is trying to ding you with Corvette tax with the labor price.
Sounds like whoever is trying to ding you with Corvette tax with the labor price.
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Originally Posted by 2002BLKTA
Hey have you called Brian Rothman at Shelley's performance and dyno center here in Spokane. He is pretty good and usually doesn't charge too much and he has the tuning software. Give him a call if you haven't already 509-891-0177