Well I have my motor ready to be pulled out to fix some seals and gasket leaks and a major cleaning. I was planning on doing a motor rebuild but I decided not to because its too much at this point for how much I use the car. I would LOVE a cam tho. I am currently running hooker long tubes with no cats or muffs. I love the sound of a cam, Not interested in a HUGE one. Just a smaller one to give me a good lope. I am wondering if Anyone can recommend me a mild cam at a great price. And how hard is it to put in? what is required? I will have to get a tune or course but will I be able to drive it after I install it or get it towed to a dyno? Anyone on here have the mods I have PLUS a cam? which cam did you get, how did you put it in and how much? a direct link maybe to a site to buy?

1994 LT1 stock motor
6spd
187k on motor

 

I wouldn't install a cam in a 187k engine.

 

, but if you do, replace the valve springs.

 

Look at it this way, it is P.I.A. to pull the motor in the first place. So, unless you want to pull it again, you might reconsider the rebuild. Really, once you have the engine out, the rest is pretty straight forward. And if you want to put a cam in it, this will require lifters, most likely springs (considering your mileage). Then, the result of the cam will result in more cylinder pressure, (head gaskets, rod and main bearings) and don't forget the timing chain assembly, you'll probably want the sturdier LT4 set, again consider your mileage.

I'm just saying, if it were me, and I had the engine out of my car, and I wasn't dependent on the car for transportation, I would take my time and make it solid from top to bottom. Even if you do it in steps to help the budget, you could still have a really solid, really strong runner by springtime.

Of course I understand if you don't want to do all of that. So the best cam for your situation would probably be the LT4 hotcam. It's a direct fit, fairly mild with nice lope. A tune is recommended but not absolutely required if you stay with the factory rockers. I would however, at this time get the LT4 springs, replace valve seals, replace lifters, do at least a cap and rotor on your opti (use the AC/Delco parts) and replace your water pump. I would also look seriously at replacing the oil pump assembly as well. And I would consider seriously replacing rod and main bearings. As I understand, it is possible to do this without removing the crank.

And when you pull the engine, have alot of baggies and label tape for evey little bolt and nut. Mark every wire as to where it goes, and if possible take pics of every little thing. This will make install so much easier. But really, replace everything you can afford to. Your there, you have to take all this stuff apart anyways to put the new gaskets on, so what the heck? This way you won't have to pull it again any time soon. JMHO

 

You can do it now thing is once you have the cam in youll want to be getting on it more often and you will if the powers there. On a bottom end with that kind of miles its pretty risky really.

If you absolutely CANNOT get a simple rebuild done now suppose you could toss a cam in it just becasue its easy to get to heck the motor is out but seems like a lot of work just to clean and put back in. Couldnt control myself, woulda had the pan off by now money or no money

 

so if I got the hotcam kit, I would need... lifters, springs, valves, seals ? how hard is this to put in? Ill have the motor out this weekend, is it easier to take it to a shop?

 

 

Would you really want to put a new cam in an engine riding on bearings with almost 200K? Then factor in the fact that any cam you install in the engine is going to be a lot more rev happy, do you really want to crank on an engine with so many miles? You could do a stock rebuild for not much money, so why not do it? You can get a complete rebuild kit from Summit with forged pistons for 600 bucks. After machine work your only into for around 1500. One thing to consider is the cost of any cam you choose with the required parts, will require the entire valve train will be replaced. Kind of like building a new house on an old, cracking foundation. Anyway I slice it I can't make it sound like a good idea.

I've been contemplating the same idea's with my 155k mile '92. And just decided if i'm going to reseal the top end and throw a cam at it, I'm gonna do it right the first time and just rebuild the entire thing. That way I can drive the **** out of it and not worry about spinning a bearing which LT1s seem to be prone to for some reason.

 

As previously mentioned, if you're going to have the motor out, do a rebuild (cheap if necessary- check PAW for their engine assemblies). You'll be much better off.

 

My only problem is that I don't know what parts to get. I want to be as stock as possible PLUS a cam. I have no idea whats in a motor. A kit sounds like a great idea as it should come with EVERYTHING I need. I was hoping someone would list me out stuff I need LOL

 

well should I send my motor to you Pete K like everyone else? that would be really easy for me haha..I know you are busy helping others and I am very great full for others input and hard work in finding info that is use full to others. I say thank you for everything everyone has helped me with.. Some of you are engine experts I am not you are correct. If you come in my dental office and have a slight idea of what is going on in your mouth but need my expertiese, I would help and walk you threw it , not tell you to go google or use the search function why you have pain in your mouth.


I found a rebuild kit from summit. Can someone check this out and see if it is what I need?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FEM-CSMHP766-300/...

 

Until you have it out and inspected.. You won't know if the crank needs to be turned.. So you won't know what bearings you need. You won't know if it needs to be bored.. So you wont know what size piston you need.. You won't know if the heads need to be redone ETC... Take it out have a machine shop look it over for you and give you an estimate including parts..
Or look for a Rebuilt Long block.
I'm sure if I wanted a root canal and didn't know how you would not advise me to do so on my own.

 

I was curious how someone who has little experience on engines was confidently removing an engine. Now I know. A dentist loves to do extractions!

 

HAHA.. I am not a dentist my father is. But I know teeth.. Well I think that is what I should do then. I am asking questions about my motor when you guys aren't even able to look at it ya know. Thanks for trying to help me out. I can only imagine how annoying it is having someone like me ( engine uneducated) coming in and asking so many questions. Thanks for all the help. I hope I didn't annoy anyone. I will rip the motor out and take it to a shop. See what they say and go from there. Again thank you

 

Your right. I am a dentist and I've pulled my motor dozens of times.

 

Derek,

You sound like a serious candidate for a pre-assembled longblock. (And, you could sell the used motor for a few hundred). The other option is finding a good rebuilder in your city. Have them help you find a kit for a 355 or 383. You need to build for the long haul,,,or consider it's time to move up to a newer car.

Sticking a cam in an old motor is like putting paint on a barn that's ready to fall down. Would you do that?

 

Not unless there is a good coat of primer..Lowes has a new paint with primer in it. Pretty good reviews I guess.

I am going to rip the motor out, take it to a shop, let them check it out and ill go from there. I will probably come back in 2 weeks after they check it out and ask the same questions all over again. HAHA

Thanks guys

 

I doubt if you are annoying anyone. The advice on here is the best unbiased advice you will get. Unfortunately most of us are in the same boat where we buy an old corvette and want it to go like a brand new model.

I have an 87 where I have had the heads serviced and shaved. How will the bottom end cope with the extra compression? Only time will tell I suppose. It's going well at the moment.

If you do the cam and the motor fails then buy a long block and fix it. The biggest part of the job is removing and reinstalling the motor which you seem to be doing quite happily anyway.

 

I might suggest looking up the nearest Corvette club, or really even a Camaro/Firebird club and see if they can you help you with shop selection. I might then try and find some books on the subject, there are many out there about building SBC's. There's one, I think it's called, "How to build a Small Block Chevy". You can probably find it at Autozone or your local parts store. The latest edition includes specs for the Gen II LTx engines. The only reason you, or I for that matter is inexperienced at rebuilding a motor is because we've never done it. This should, in no way, lead us to assumption that we can't.

At the beginning of any adventure into the unknown, one starts with a full bag of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience before the bag of luck is empty.

 

Well thanks for the confidence booster. It gets hard to see all you guys talking motor and rebuilding stuff ect. I can take it apart that is the easy part I just don't know what I am looking at or how to build it back up. I will read up on some books