$5K is about right if you want a quality job with quality parts.
Cam/Heads cost
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 15
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Cam/Heads cost
I'm in the market for my first c5. If I get a stock one I'd like to do heads/cam. What is the cost parts/labor to do a proper Camswap with aftermarket/ported heads with tune. A guy quoted me close to 5k, seems a bit ridiculous to me. What do you guys think?
Also he said porting the LS1 heads is a waste of time an to just buy/port LS6 heads. He also said you need a lift to do the job(because I mentioned I might do it myself). Any truth to the above?
Any feedback is appreciated.
Ben
Also he said porting the LS1 heads is a waste of time an to just buy/port LS6 heads. He also said you need a lift to do the job(because I mentioned I might do it myself). Any truth to the above?
Any feedback is appreciated.
Ben
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
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To do an optimized heads cam swap, parts and all, your looking at an easy 2-2.5k in heads, $400 on a cam, headers $800 or more, head bolts, timing chain, gaskets, depending on heads you use 3-500 in rockers. These are just the main parts you'll need, not including an intake, catback exhaust, underdrive pulley, and pushrods, so even if you manage to get all that for $3500 that's still $1500 in labor, and that's fair on labor.
So in all honesty, 5k is very reasonable.
So in all honesty, 5k is very reasonable.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2015
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400 RWHP is roughly the target, I've seen ones with headers for 10k and cammed/heads/headers ones for 13k(both high mileage obviously) I just wasn't sure if maybe it was cheaper to buy the 10kk and do the heads/cam myself
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I'd say $5K would be a minimum to get a heads/cam job done. England Green, a respected vendor here, offers to do a cam swap and with labor it runs right at $3500. Add in the cost of the heads and associated parts needed for them, and you'll be over $5K for sure.
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Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Greensboro Nc
$3500 for just a cam swap!? There is absolutely no reason it should be over $2500 max, and that is on the high side still. A shop in Charlotte quoted me $1750 for everything including tuning, with all drivetrain upgrades.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Kelowna BC
Get a Z06, drop in some headers, CAI and a tune and you're just about there. No engine mods. Also has deeper 1st gears, wider tires, less weight...
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
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If your just wanting around 400whp, do a mild cam from eps, tick or BTR, headers, CAI, a clutch (stall if auto) with a good tune you can easily break that mark, could even get a set of 243s for roughly $500 and make a little more power. Car will drive virtually stock and make good power throughout the power curve. No need for heads and cam if your not looking for a max effort set up. Could do all that for roughly $2500 in parts.
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I added a set of 243 (Patriot) heads and a cam to mine a few years after I bought it. A friend helped install the items for a few hundred and the retune was on $50 as the tuner had already tuned the car previously. The cost of the heads & cam was roughly 2k
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: West Branch, MI
Yeah, if that's the only thing you're doing, that's about right. But the OP asked for Heads and Cam. And you won't get the bang for the $$ if you don't at least add headers.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Greensboro Nc
Called aquadale speed shop. He actually saw me on this forum and sent me a message, which turned into some emails and then into a quote. Really cool guys, been following them on facebook and seeing some of the stuff they put out.
$3500 for headers and cam is reasonable, but just for a cam swap it's nuts.
$3500 for headers and cam is reasonable, but just for a cam swap it's nuts.
Melting Slicks
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I would be very careful doing this, I have heard many bad stories of guys doing this. Might end up end up with some else mistakes and end up costing you more in the long run. I would say 5K is on the low end by the time you add parts, labor and tune.