how much will a cam install cost?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,063
Likes: 38
From: Menifee CA
Originally Posted by 5.0_CJ
This isn't 5.0 land anymore Todo.
Most of the guys on here have labor done for them, most don't do their own installs. Its not JUST a cam, you need to replace your valvesprings and retainers because the factory springs and retainers are crap, and can barely handle a stock cam. A cam is about 300-550 bucks depending on the brand and aggressiveness. You could do a cam for less than 1,000 if you know what your doing, and get it dyno tuned for a couple hundred on top of it, so at 1,000 or maybe a little over.
As for underdrives, roller rockers, etc.. you don't need any of that. Underdrives in my opinion are a waste of money, I've never seen any sort of reasonables gains with them whatsoever, and they can cause problems from overspinning accessories on many vehicles (I don't know about corvettes specifically, but I wouldnt bother). If you just want an in and out cam install your going to want the cam, springs/retainers, and timing chain. The rest of the stuff are a "while your in there" mod.
Most of the guys on here have labor done for them, most don't do their own installs. Its not JUST a cam, you need to replace your valvesprings and retainers because the factory springs and retainers are crap, and can barely handle a stock cam. A cam is about 300-550 bucks depending on the brand and aggressiveness. You could do a cam for less than 1,000 if you know what your doing, and get it dyno tuned for a couple hundred on top of it, so at 1,000 or maybe a little over.
As for underdrives, roller rockers, etc.. you don't need any of that. Underdrives in my opinion are a waste of money, I've never seen any sort of reasonables gains with them whatsoever, and they can cause problems from overspinning accessories on many vehicles (I don't know about corvettes specifically, but I wouldnt bother). If you just want an in and out cam install your going to want the cam, springs/retainers, and timing chain. The rest of the stuff are a "while your in there" mod.
the rest is MARKETING and COrvette TAX
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,133
Likes: 1
From: ~The DARKSIDE Group~
This package price sounds about right to me...
Originally Posted by Chris@East Coast Supercharging
That is correct, this is a cam only price.. 
Its not always fair to compare our price at $2,995 to other shops cam install prices because they usually dont include all the items that we do. I would rather put together a complete list of everthing that is associated with a cam install then just put out a cheap price to get them in the door and then try to get them for all the extras once they drop off the car. If you do some checking around, most of the cam prices in the 2K range include a base spring such as a Comp 918. We use a Comp 921 spring which is about $325 more then the 918 springs. We also include a ASP under drive pulley with new belts, Double roller timing chain, ported oil pump, ported throttle body, 160 degree thermostat, new plugs and Taylor wires and complete dyno tuning. We might be a bit more expensive but we also include a lot more items for our price. Hope this helps explain our higher cost
Its not always fair to compare our price at $2,995 to other shops cam install prices because they usually dont include all the items that we do. I would rather put together a complete list of everthing that is associated with a cam install then just put out a cheap price to get them in the door and then try to get them for all the extras once they drop off the car. If you do some checking around, most of the cam prices in the 2K range include a base spring such as a Comp 918. We use a Comp 921 spring which is about $325 more then the 918 springs. We also include a ASP under drive pulley with new belts, Double roller timing chain, ported oil pump, ported throttle body, 160 degree thermostat, new plugs and Taylor wires and complete dyno tuning. We might be a bit more expensive but we also include a lot more items for our price. Hope this helps explain our higher cost
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,684
Likes: 425
From: Indiana Cornfield
This is the correct price. How do I know? I just priced a cam only at just under 3k from Straightline Performance in New Lenox Il. I've known these guys forever and they wouldn't steer me wrong. I'm going to ask to change out the harmonic balancer as long as they're in there. May go with a 4.11 too. I owned a new 96 Z/28 with the M6 and had a 4.10 put in it. (Strange) Car was a blast.
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