The harmonic balancer on my 02Z has been wobbling so I've ordered a new one. When I was reading through all the forums about how to make this repair, multiple people recommended upgrading the cam since I'll already have a lot of things off. Wasn't initially planning on it but the mod bug bit me and I ordered a new camshaft kit and of course you need some longtubes to go with it so I ordered a set of those too. Looks like I'm going to be busy for a while! I've never installed any of these things but am fairly competent and think I'll be able to handle it. Does anyone have any tips or recommendations? Performance-wise, my car is currently all stock. Below is a list of what I'll be installing:

• Powerbond 25% underdrive harmonic balancer (PBU1480SS25)
• ARP bolt (234-2503)
• New belts (Gatorback #4060775, #4040400)
• ATI pin kit (ATI918993)
• Valve cover gaskets
• XSPower v4 longtube headers and x-pipe
• FTI streetsweeper HT 228*-232*-111*-.612"-.600"

Cam kit comes with:

• FTI Pro-Series Hardened Push Rods
• Steel Shelled Viton Valve Seals
• Hardened Seven Degree Valve Locks
• Seven Degree Chromemoly Retainers
• LSx .650" Lift Dual Valve Springs
• Comp cam and lifter installation lube

Am I missing anything or is there anything else I should look at while I've got a lot of things pulled off? I'm still looking at tuning options and also considering a CAI (vararam, halltech, blackwing...), but that might be a future mod along with possibly a larger TB.

 

How many miles? The oil pump will need to be r and r'ed so consider replacing/upgrading. Timing chain too. Rocker trunnion upgrades are also popular. Since the electrical system is known to be particular I've heard people recommending against smaller balancers.

 

96k miles. I read about people replacing the oil pump and timing chain during a cam swap so I'll look into those. Are upgraded ones recommended or are stock replacements good enough? I'm not sure what a rocker trunnion is. Is it a bad idea not to upgrade those when installing a larger cam? I've read mixed reviews about underdrive pulleys causing the alternator to not be able to supply enough power. It seems like it mostly happens when you're stuck in traffic and not moving for a while. I imagine there are alternator upgrades that can resolve this problem?

 

You’re going to be busy. Good luck with all the changes.

 

Nice build, will definitely be a different car afterwards

Katech c5r timing chain, trunnion upgrade for sure, might want to replace lifters with that many miles, Johnson 2110’s are good, I’ve been running the powerbond 25% underdrive pulley for years with no issues, they make a 10% that would work fine also

 

I would do the oil pump at 96k. There are lots of options and I don't think you need to go crazy for a modest N/A build. I went with a melling pump when I did mine. The LS2 timing chain is a beefier chain that's a direct fit for $45 or so, which is what I went with. There are plenty of other options as well. The rocker arms move on a needle bearing system and can cause some problems if they fail. Plenty of options for upgrade kits out there. Straub makes a popular kit that replaces the bearings with a bushing. I'm not sure about the an alternator correcting the UD pulley...I stuck with a factory size.

 

I wouldn't consider a cam swap on my own - headers/intake sure, but cam is definitely more than I'd like to bite off for a DIY project - particularly because of the fact there are numerous other "upgrades" & little details you should attend to while changing a cam that the job gets bigger than it initially seems, as you're well aware.

The shop that did my cam install did the following @ same time: pushrods, BTR dual valve springs (actually already had some in the car w/ about 20k miles on em - these should be swapped anyhow as the factory ones are prone to cracking), Ktech C5R timing chain, SFI stock sized UD pulley, rebuilt port/polished the oil pump, front main seal replace w/ OEM, water pump R&R's w/ new OEM gasket, & fresh irdium plugs + oil change/coolant/freon etc. that needs refreshing during install

If you're doing headers make sure you get a set of GM OEM quality gaskets even the high-end header companies don't provide the same quality gaskets & last thing you wanna do is remove em after install due to a leak. Also should have plug wire protectors keep em from getting fried.

I'd also throw in a clutch fluid bleed while you're at it

I'd recommend adding some dynamat/heat shield stuff around the Torque tube tunnel & around cockpit wherever you can get too depending how crazy you wanna go. These things get hot as it is w/ stock manifolds once you throw headers on alot of heat seeps into cabin & the dynamat also helps making the car quieter inside keeping out road noise & makes interior feel "tighter"

May be some other stuff I'm missing but those are the big items

 

Did you already order this (Powerbond 25% underdrive harmonic balancer (PBU1480SS25))? I don't think that is the right part # for a 2002

 

Yes I've already ordered it but I'm sure I can send it back and replace it with the right one. Any idea what the correct part # is?

 

Thanks for all the replies. I'll order a new oil pump, timing chain, and rocket trunnion kit too. Might as well do it right and replace them while I'm working on everything. Hope I didn't bite off more than I can chew! I'm planning to replace a power steering hose that has a small leak too. Going to be a lot of work for sure. Thankfully there's this forum and youtube!

 

pbu1117ss25

 

Thanks for pointing that out! Not sure how I got the other part number... I've ordered a new one and will send the wrong one back.