LT4 hot cam install
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,786
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis MN
LT4 hot cam install
What do you all think about what my machanic wants to do and charge me for my cam install. Ok this is my car it's lt4 with 39000 easy miles on the clock. I want a LT4 Hot Cam installed. He sed he would install but only waranty the cam and the work if he put on a new timing chan cam barings and springs and retaners. The price for just the cam install, and cam is $1500 no warnty. The price for the barings, cam, timing chan, retainers and springs is $2250 with warnty. I am not going to race this car just a little spirited driving seat of the pants fun. Do I need all this other stuff. Is it worth the gamble with the no warnty. Opinions please. Thanks 
Last edited by redvette6spd; Mar 28, 2005 at 07:43 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,928
Likes: 1
From: More cowbell...
St. Jude Donor '04
Find another mechanic.
When you do a hot cam, it is vital to do the timing chain, springs, and retainers (IMHO). However, there is no need to change the cam bearings. Hot cam + a good set of springs + new timing set shouldnt be more than $600 or so.
I did a cam a tad bit more extreme than the hot cam, a billet double roller timing set, 1.6RR, new springs, retainers, etc, and upgraded to a new opti, and a mez water pump, and the total ended up being roughly $1100 (if I am remembering correctly)
When you do a hot cam, it is vital to do the timing chain, springs, and retainers (IMHO). However, there is no need to change the cam bearings. Hot cam + a good set of springs + new timing set shouldnt be more than $600 or so.
I did a cam a tad bit more extreme than the hot cam, a billet double roller timing set, 1.6RR, new springs, retainers, etc, and upgraded to a new opti, and a mez water pump, and the total ended up being roughly $1100 (if I am remembering correctly)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 1
From: Green Bay WI
I would suggest purchasing a Helms service manual (two volume set), read what's involved with the cam swap, pick up your gaskets and any tools you might not have, and tackle the job yourself.
You'll save a ton of money and you'll know that the job is done right.
Of course this assumes that you have a reasonable amount of mechanical ability.
It's not hard, just time consuming and the best part of it is really getting to know your car!
You'll save a ton of money and you'll know that the job is done right.
Of course this assumes that you have a reasonable amount of mechanical ability.
It's not hard, just time consuming and the best part of it is really getting to know your car!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,793
Likes: 0
From: St. Peters MO Sometimes you have to prove yourself by doing alot of killing or alot of dying...
Originally Posted by cprgmr
I would suggest purchasing a Helms service manual (two volume set), read what's involved with the cam swap, pick up your gaskets and any tools you might not have, and tackle the job yourself.
You'll save a ton of money and you'll know that the job is done right.
Of course this assumes that you have a reasonable amount of mechanical ability.
It's not hard, just time consuming and the best part of it is really getting to know your car!
You'll save a ton of money and you'll know that the job is done right.
Of course this assumes that you have a reasonable amount of mechanical ability.
It's not hard, just time consuming and the best part of it is really getting to know your car!
or at best get a second price quote. The price you were shot seems awful steep especially with no guarantee for the work done. Just because you own a vette doesn't mean you are made of $$$... and if you are it still does not warrant or justify such a ridiculous price.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,786
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis MN
Originally Posted by cprgmr
I would suggest purchasing a Helms service manual (two volume set), read what's involved with the cam swap, pick up your gaskets and any tools you might not have, and tackle the job yourself.
You'll save a ton of money and you'll know that the job is done right.
Of course this assumes that you have a reasonable amount of mechanical ability.
It's not hard, just time consuming and the best part of it is really getting to know your car!
You'll save a ton of money and you'll know that the job is done right.
Of course this assumes that you have a reasonable amount of mechanical ability.
It's not hard, just time consuming and the best part of it is really getting to know your car!
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,671
Likes: 20
From: Lake Wylie SC
Drop by a Chevy dealer and see what the job would cost. There are dealerships with good mechanics, you just have to find them. They will offer you a flat rate price, it's on their computer. Labor is what's going to be the major cost.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,928
Likes: 1
From: More cowbell...
St. Jude Donor '04
Originally Posted by C4Crazy787
Seeing as you already have an LT4 you only need the Cam, at 39K easy "maybe" a new timing set.
Also, the hot cam likes higher rpms. I would not feel comofortable at all going to higher rpms with a stock/40k mile timing chain. Just my 2 cents.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 0
From: Olathe, KS USA
Originally Posted by MarkLT1
The stock timing sets are junk- I have seen heftier bicycle chains. Just my 2 cents.
It's my understanding the LT4 already has the Heavy Duty timing chain, is this not correct??
If the HD set does have an "easy 39K" and *if* it checks out after a through inspection, why not reuse it.
Last edited by C4Crazy787; Mar 29, 2005 at 02:56 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,928
Likes: 1
From: More cowbell...
St. Jude Donor '04
Originally Posted by C4Crazy787
Mark,
It's my understanding the LT4 already has the Heavy Duty timing chain, is this not correct??
It's my understanding the LT4 already has the Heavy Duty timing chain, is this not correct??
see: http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/perfpart...397§ion=ep
PN 12555887 is the stock LT4 chain, and PN 12370835 is the "extreme duty" setup, which is a beefier timing set.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 0
From: Olathe, KS USA
Originally Posted by MarkLT1
Nope. The LT4 has a chain that is a little beefier than the LT1, but it isnt the "extreme duty" timing set.
see: http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/perfpart...397§ion=ep
PN 12555887 is the stock LT4 chain, and PN 12370835 is the "extreme duty" setup, which is a beefier timing set.
see: http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/perfpart...397§ion=ep
PN 12555887 is the stock LT4 chain, and PN 12370835 is the "extreme duty" setup, which is a beefier timing set.
"extreme duty" set 210$ 
remember when a good dbl roller set was 40$ 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,928
Likes: 1
From: More cowbell...
St. Jude Donor '04
Originally Posted by C4Crazy787
Thanks, "extreme duty" set 210$ remember when a good dbl roller set was 40$
"extreme duty" set 210$ remember when a good dbl roller set was 40$ I got a billet double roller set for my LT1 for about $60 if I remember correctly. Problem is, you then have to drop the mechanical pump, and run an electrical water pump (not that that is too much of a problem.. just make sure you wire it well.. ask me how I know..
)
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 0
From: lafayette co
Originally Posted by MarkLT1
Nope. The LT4 has a chain that is a little beefier than the LT1, but it isnt the "extreme duty" timing set.
see: http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/perfpart...397§ion=ep
PN 12555887 is the stock LT4 chain, and PN 12370835 is the "extreme duty" setup, which is a beefier timing set.
see: http://www.gmgoodwrench.com/perfpart...397§ion=ep
PN 12555887 is the stock LT4 chain, and PN 12370835 is the "extreme duty" setup, which is a beefier timing set.
I was told by two different shops that the LT4 timing chain would be plenty.
I don't think you need the chain. The LT4 may not be the beefiest, but it is fine!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 1
From: Green Bay WI
Originally Posted by redvette6spd
cprgmr I am not into working on cars I would rather do a little overtime at my regular job to pay for the goodies. For what ill have in this car with a hot cam, headers and corsas I could have had your car DAMIT
Now you know why I jumped on the LT4 - it was too good to pass up! I would've had to dump about $25k into the '93 to get it to where the '96 is currently at.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,786
Likes: 0
From: Minneapolis MN
Well im going to give Doug Rippie a call for a quote also I don't expect mutch difference in price.The guy who gave me the first quote sed if I would have called a month or two ago price would have ben a little better. I have a 3 week wait to get the car in now. 95% of the work this shop dose is vetts and it is the season. Damn this fricken horse power is worse than dope. 
Last edited by redvette6spd; Mar 29, 2005 at 11:15 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 0
From: lafayette co
Originally Posted by redvette6spd
I have a 3 week wait to get the car in now. 95% of the work this shop dose is vetts and it is the season. Damn this fricken horse power is worse than dope.
GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK UNCLE SAM!