[Z06] Head/cam/header install - any last minute tips?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 106
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Head/cam/header install - any last minute tips?
I'll be doing a head/cam/header install on a 2003 Z06 this weekend. Not new to LSx cam and head work, but am new to doing it on a Corvette.
The writeup on LS1howto seems pretty thorough, but can you think of any last minute tips of things you wish you'd done differently before I start this?
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=1
The parts will be PRC 225 as cast heads, TSP Magic Stick 3 cam, TSP 1 3/4" long tubes/offroad X, Vararam intake, TSP ported LS6 old pump and LS2 timing chain.
Thanks!
The writeup on LS1howto seems pretty thorough, but can you think of any last minute tips of things you wish you'd done differently before I start this?
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=1
The parts will be PRC 225 as cast heads, TSP Magic Stick 3 cam, TSP 1 3/4" long tubes/offroad X, Vararam intake, TSP ported LS6 old pump and LS2 timing chain.
Thanks!
Last edited by evo462; Oct 13, 2013 at 09:57 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 10
From: Morrisville PA
You're gonna love swapping the oil pump, it takes like 5 minutes on a c5 once you're there. The bolt is right there and no dropping of the pan needed like other LSX cars. It's a dream.
Make sure you red loctite all of the bolts behind the front cover. Get ARP bolts if you can.
Make sure you red loctite all of the bolts behind the front cover. Get ARP bolts if you can.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,245
Likes: 25
From: Blue Ridge Georgia
Two tips, the oil pump o ring needs to be lubed good so it can slide in without a binding on the tube. Be very careful, make sure it seats good. Use the Hawk balancer tool for installing the balancer. And use the service manual for torquing the rocker arms. If you need that info just ask and we can post it. Have fun, take pictures and enjoy.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2013
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Well I am ready to pull the heads after breakfast....everything was pretty straight forward except that damn power steering line removal! I probably burned two or three hours on that one part. If taking it off was bad....I expect putting it back on will be worse. Ugh!
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,823
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From: East Aurora NY
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Well that gives me some hope....other than removing the steering rack and radiator, it's been pretty straight forward. Not my first time doing head/cam swaps on LSx vehicles but still.
I got some flex-head flare wrenches being delivered today, so I'm hoping that'll make the power steering line installation a little easier. I was using flare wrenches that connect at 90* to a 3/8" drive socket wrench so was pretty limited in the angle of attack.
I got the cam installed and the front cover buttoned up last night. Also got the block cleaned off from the head gaskets and cleaned out the head bolt holes so I'm ready to plop the heads down tonight. Headers install much easier when there's no upper half of the engine in the way. Just set them right down in the engine bay and will mate them to the heads once they're on.
I got some flex-head flare wrenches being delivered today, so I'm hoping that'll make the power steering line installation a little easier. I was using flare wrenches that connect at 90* to a 3/8" drive socket wrench so was pretty limited in the angle of attack.
I got the cam installed and the front cover buttoned up last night. Also got the block cleaned off from the head gaskets and cleaned out the head bolt holes so I'm ready to plop the heads down tonight. Headers install much easier when there's no upper half of the engine in the way. Just set them right down in the engine bay and will mate them to the heads once they're on.
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 10
From: Morrisville PA
You need to loosen the power steering bracket first then you can easily move that to the side to get to the lines.
I've done it probably 10-12 times and never once had an issue with the lines. They can be a bit of a bitch to thread in, but taking them out is always really easy.