Going rate for a Hotcam+install !!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 400
Likes: 4
From: Phoenix AZ
Going rate for a Hotcam+install !!
I had another thread going about what I could get for $2000. I was thinking of several mods but as I get down to it, thats about the cost of the GM hotcam+parts+labor. Am I missing something or is this awfully high. Maybe my costs are off
GM Hotcam~$400 (
GM Heavy Duty timing Chain and Gear set~$300
Labor at $75/hr (probably more) X 18-20hrs ( Average I got on other threads) =$1300-1500
Thats an easy $2000!!! What else am I missing. I have heard guys say to replace the optispark as well.
GM Hotcam~$400 (
GM Heavy Duty timing Chain and Gear set~$300
Labor at $75/hr (probably more) X 18-20hrs ( Average I got on other threads) =$1300-1500
Thats an easy $2000!!! What else am I missing. I have heard guys say to replace the optispark as well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 7,634
Likes: 326
From: Greenville SC
I think you should do the heads& headers too, or it not worth the cost to HP gain. My mechanic said it would be easier for him to pull the motor and freshen it up VS. doing the cam with motor in car. What do others think?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 6,018
Likes: 565
From: Conroe Texas
i'd say, do the lt4 heads & intake, 52 mm throttle body, 1.6 - 1.65 roller rockers, headers, and adjustable fuel pressure regulator. that should pretty well eat your 2k and you can do the mods yourself, and without going in the engine. then you can sell your stock components and have the money for a cam change later. or.... you can send me the money and i'll do the mods here and tell you how it feels.hahahahaha
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,455
Likes: 2
From: East TN
Originally Posted by 94brick
I had another thread going about what I could get for $2000. I was thinking of several mods but as I get down to it, thats about the cost of the GM hotcam+parts+labor. Am I missing something or is this awfully high. Maybe my costs are off
GM Hotcam~$400 (
GM Heavy Duty timing Chain and Gear set~$300
Labor at $75/hr (probably more) X 18-20hrs ( Average I got on other threads) =$1300-1500
Thats an easy $2000!!! What else am I missing. I have heard guys say to replace the optispark as well.
GM Hotcam~$400 (
GM Heavy Duty timing Chain and Gear set~$300
Labor at $75/hr (probably more) X 18-20hrs ( Average I got on other threads) =$1300-1500
Thats an easy $2000!!! What else am I missing. I have heard guys say to replace the optispark as well.
Might as well get a double roller timing chain, new timing cover and electric water pump instead of the heavy duty chain. The opti has to be a '95 model if you put in the hotcam, unless you want to hammer in the dowel pin to make it fit the old opti.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 1
From: atlanta Georgia
Originally Posted by 95wht6spd
I think you should do the heads& headers too, or it not worth the cost to HP gain. My mechanic said it would be easier for him to pull the motor and freshen it up VS. doing the cam with motor in car. What do others think?
more hp.... and what not.
but they have to pull the radiator
if they dont..like when i install min in a couple of months... I am gonna remove the radiator and just put the cam in that way as i do not have a way of pulling it!
good luck your friend
Sean
if u were near atlanta i could get a couple guys and we could help u install the thing...
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 1
From: atlanta Georgia
Originally Posted by MrNuke
What I don't get is that, if they charge you $1500+ to install a friggin cam, why not just spend a little more and buy a new engine with mroe HP outright and drop it in??
thats y i put in all my own parts, save me alot of $!!!!
also heads wont really do much unless you have a cam to take advantage of the extra flow!
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 0
From: Ft. Worth Texas
St. Jude Donor '11
Originally Posted by 94brick
I had another thread going about what I could get for $2000. I was thinking of several mods but as I get down to it, thats about the cost of the GM hotcam+parts+labor. Am I missing something or is this awfully high. Maybe my costs are off
GM Hotcam~$400 (
GM Heavy Duty timing Chain and Gear set~$300
Labor at $75/hr (probably more) X 18-20hrs ( Average I got on other threads) =$1300-1500
Thats an easy $2000!!! What else am I missing. I have heard guys say to replace the optispark as well.
GM Hotcam~$400 (
GM Heavy Duty timing Chain and Gear set~$300
Labor at $75/hr (probably more) X 18-20hrs ( Average I got on other threads) =$1300-1500
Thats an easy $2000!!! What else am I missing. I have heard guys say to replace the optispark as well.
jeff
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 1
From: atlanta Georgia
yea ne one have the link to the install procedures?
I remeber seeing it and i thought i had it in my favorites...but dont...
much appreciated!
thanks alot your friend
I will be doing this install along with the electric water pump and cloyles chain as well later on this spring
I will let everyone know how it goes....
I have everything down to removing the water pump crank pulley, radiator, etc... but nothing with the opti, and cam etc.....
do I have to take the push rods out to change a cam?
your friend
Sean
I remeber seeing it and i thought i had it in my favorites...but dont...
much appreciated!
thanks alot your friend
I will be doing this install along with the electric water pump and cloyles chain as well later on this spring
I will let everyone know how it goes....
I have everything down to removing the water pump crank pulley, radiator, etc... but nothing with the opti, and cam etc.....
do I have to take the push rods out to change a cam?
your friend
Sean
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 400
Likes: 4
From: Phoenix AZ
You know for $1300 I might as well brush up on my mechanic skills and do the job myself 
It seems to me that there are no one-at-a-time mods to do. Its the if I do this then might as well do this and since you have this removed then you might as well replace this...Gotta love it.
It seems to me that there are no one-at-a-time mods to do. Its the if I do this then might as well do this and since you have this removed then you might as well replace this...Gotta love it.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,455
Likes: 2
From: East TN
Originally Posted by redbullapril23
yea ne one have the link to the install procedures?
Sean
Sean
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,448
Likes: 1
From: Tracy CA
Originally Posted by redbullapril23
yes!
thats y i was like hmm hot cam...then hot cam kit...hot cam kit and electric water pump, hot cam electric water pump timing chain opti heads 396 supercharger/s haha
thats y i was like hmm hot cam...then hot cam kit...hot cam kit and electric water pump, hot cam electric water pump timing chain opti heads 396 supercharger/s haha
-E to the nth
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Doing the cam swap would be a great time to get to know your Vette, very well.
Go to the Comp. Cams web site and you can download the vital steps in doing a cam. Then you will have some new tools in the box when done and your wallet won't be as light as if you have it installed.
If you don't already have the GM Shop Manual, get one from HELM. It has details on most any part of your engine as well as the rest of the car along with complete electrical diagrams and parts locations.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 834
Likes: 1
From: Keller Texas
Just a FYI...........go to www.hashmark.com/teck/hotcam I think that is the website you may need. I will confirm
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Originally Posted by 95wht6spd
I think you should do the heads& headers too, or it not worth the cost to HP gain. My mechanic said it would be easier for him to pull the motor and freshen it up VS. doing the cam with motor in car. What do others think?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 400
Likes: 4
From: Phoenix AZ
Well I am seriously thinking about doing the cam swap myself. I have no time limits and I am sure I would learn alot. This is a big thing for myself as I am not a "seasoned" mechanic. The above mentioned links are great info. Anyone see any major things that MUST not be overlooked or that I might need help with in with regards to doing the cam swap myself?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 1
From: atlanta Georgia
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ALL THE PARTS NEEDED also dont go into a day saying i am gonna do whatever
set a goal and set what you need to do and then change it as the project changes remember patience is key!
dont forget gaskets, sealant, and nuts and bolts!
also keep track of your parts you take off in bags and # or name them so its easier when u put back together
your friend
Sean
set a goal and set what you need to do and then change it as the project changes remember patience is key!
dont forget gaskets, sealant, and nuts and bolts!
also keep track of your parts you take off in bags and # or name them so its easier when u put back together
your friend
Sean