[Z06] cam install help!!

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Jul 7, 2009 | 12:25 PM

jsbcorvette

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cam install help!!

I just purchased a cam for my zo6 and was wondering whats the best way to do the cam swap? When we looked up flat rate at a chevy dealership my buddy works at it said 20 hours to do the swap. For the quote it said that was pulling the motor out of the car due to clearance issues of the rack being in the way of the balancer. This isnt my first cam swap I have done f body's and just did a cam swap for a guy on a gto and the flat rate said to remove the bumper which we ended up not doing. So the question is is there a way not pull the motor and do it faster?

Jul 7, 2009 | 01:40 PM

ls1impulse

Burning Brakes

Joined: May 2007

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From: Gettysburg PA

I swaped heads/cam/intake/headers/stall, and a rear diff in 24 hours...that flat rate is wrong.

If youve done it in an F-body its basically the same procedure, only in the vette you will have to remove the rack.

Jul 7, 2009 | 02:36 PM

hector88

Burning Brakes

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From: brownsville tx

when i took my car to get the cam installed it took them about 8-9hrs after the car cooled down. they worked on it straight no breaks. they had to drop the rack. it was very uncomfortable. they said it was the hardest cam install they have ever done and they do fbodies, goats, and chevy truck on a daily basis.

Jul 7, 2009 | 03:04 PM

Tech

Safety Car

Joined: Jun 2005

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From: St. Louis Missouri

Use LS1howto.com and don't get in a rush. You'll be fine.

Jul 7, 2009 | 05:50 PM

Z06SRUL

Advanced

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Iv'e done a few and the best way is to pull into the dealer and put your tail between your legs as you walk out. Let them have the headaches and you can have the warranty. It's a real MF if you aren't down with the knowledge, the time, the tools & space to do it in. Not worth it just to say "you" did it yourself.

Jul 7, 2009 | 08:07 PM

jsbcorvette

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If I can just remove the rack that shouldnt be bad. I just am a newb to the corvette cam install. I would rather do it myself since i am mechanically inclined. I just wanted to make sure there was actually room to remove and install the cam with the motor sitting in the car. Thanks for all the info so far everyone.

Jul 10, 2009 | 07:34 AM

4SFED Z

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 2,704

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From: Lone Star State

You DO NOT need to pull the engine. All I did was drop the steering rack and pulled it through the passenger side wheel well (after tires were removed of course.) I also did not have to pull the radiator. Just un bolted it and pushed it forward enough to clear the cam....within a 1/4 of an inch. Took 15 hours with about 2 hours running around for parts (broke a couple of sockets) and another hour tuning just to get it to run good enough to bring it to get tuned professionally. I didnt remove the hood either.

I would get an underdrive pulley while your doing the swap, upgrade to better springs and push rods, and an upgraded timing chain. Best of luck. Your knuckles will love you afterwards...