Labor $ for basic cam install?

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Dec 10, 2006 | 06:06 PM

BarneyZ

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Sep 1999

Posts: 2,301

Likes: 83

From: DFW, TX

Labor $ for basic cam install?

I'm considering a mild street cam with LS6 or similar springs and have a couple of questions:

1. If I only change out the valve springs, can the install be done properly (and more easily) without removing the heads?

2. What is a reasonable labor cost for such a job?

Thanks for you input!

Barney

Dec 10, 2006 | 06:42 PM

mdhmi

Team Owner

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 20,474

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From: Detroit

Usually $750 - $1,000 for a cam install depending what all else is upgraded at the same time and whether you have long tube headers or not.

Dec 10, 2006 | 07:18 PM

Gannet

Safety Car

Joined: Mar 2006

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From: Sarasota Florida

St. Jude Donor '06

1: Yes.

2: $750, not including the dyno tune, which is usually needed unless you install a very small cam. Another $500 for that.

Dec 10, 2006 | 07:31 PM

InSaNeKaMeL

Pro

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 543

Likes: 1

From: Detroit MI

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdhmi

Usually $750 - $1,000 for a cam install depending what all else is upgraded at the same time and whether you have long tube headers or not.

what mark said

Dec 10, 2006 | 08:26 PM

Ikester

Race Director

Joined: Mar 2001

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From: Whippany NJ

CI 6-7-8-9 Veteran

St. Jude Donor '08-'09

NCM Sinkhole Donor

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarneyZ

budget 800-1000 bucks...500 for tuning

Dec 11, 2006 | 01:29 PM

BMF42

Instructor

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 138

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From: Grand Rapids holy mother its cold here MI used to live in Cali what was I thinking

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ikester

budget 800-1000 bucks...500 for tuning

Don't mean to sound stupid here, but is this mod worth the money (HP wise)

Dec 11, 2006 | 01:34 PM

Architect

Pro

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 645

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From: Hermosa Beach CA

In an LS6, you won't see more than 2-3 tenths with an aftermarket cam. Not worth $1800 IMO. You'll need heads and headers to see a noticeable gain. Then you're talking $3500-4000. That's supercharger territory with half the gain.

Dec 11, 2006 | 04:12 PM

yankeevetteconvert

Burning Brakes

Joined: Apr 2003

Posts: 908

Likes: 2

From: TROY MI

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdhmi

Usually $750 - $1,000 for a cam install depending what all else is upgraded at the same time and whether you have long tube headers or not.

Why would headers change the price of a cam install?

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Dec 12, 2006 | 11:24 AM

RichieRichZ06

Race Director

Joined: Nov 2005

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From: Supporting the Corvette Community at Abel Chevrolet in Rio Vista, CA 707-374-6317 Ext.123

St. Jude Donor '08

any DIY way to do it.

does anybody have the procedure to do this without removing heads. Is there a special tool to keep the lifters up in their bores. All the info that I have states to remove the heads as well.

Dec 12, 2006 | 12:02 PM

#10

jfrc

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 2,328

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From: Central TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by yankeevetteconvert

Why would headers change the price of a cam install?

just one more thing to remove and install, that's all

Dec 12, 2006 | 01:04 PM

#11

Sigforty

Le Mans Master

Joined: Apr 2001

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From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA

Cruise-In IX Veteran

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichieRichZ06

does anybody have the procedure to do this without removing heads. Is there a special tool to keep the lifters up in their bores. All the info that I have states to remove the heads as well.

They have a special tool to hold the lifters up, but you can make one with some small dowls. You do not need to pull the heads off to change the cam unless you are changing lifters.

Dec 12, 2006 | 03:12 PM

#12

RichieRichZ06

Race Director

Joined: Nov 2005

Posts: 14,545

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From: Supporting the Corvette Community at Abel Chevrolet in Rio Vista, CA 707-374-6317 Ext.123

St. Jude Donor '08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sigforty

They have a special tool to hold the lifters up, but you can make one with some small dowls. You do not need to pull the heads off to change the cam unless you are changing lifters.

Thank you for the info. one more question though: Do you know where to purchase such a tool? TIA

RICH

Dec 12, 2006 | 03:40 PM

#13

fovsky

Racer

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 314

Likes: 0

From: Houston TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichieRichZ06

Thank you for the info. one more question though: Do you know where to purchase such a tool? TIA

RICH

here is a good start for the special tools you'll need

http://www.thunderracing.com/catalog...&vid=7&pcid=17

trust me...don't skimp on the tools unless you like spending 3x as much time doing this then you anticipated