Would you do your own cam install???
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
I just got back from the dyno... car made 424/378 for the final numbers... maxed at 429 rwhp. This is on fuel w/ 10% ethanol.
I'm very very happy that I did this all myself... I know it's done right, and if something ****s up it's my fault. No worrying if the 'tuner' did this or that correctly.
You've obviously seen my thread... glad I could help nudge you in the right direction
I'm very very happy that I did this all myself... I know it's done right, and if something ****s up it's my fault. No worrying if the 'tuner' did this or that correctly.
You've obviously seen my thread... glad I could help nudge you in the right direction
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 3
From: Simi Valley CA
I just got back from the dyno... car made 424/378 for the final numbers... maxed at 429 rwhp. This is on fuel w/ 10% ethanol.
I'm very very happy that I did this all myself... I know it's done right, and if something ****s up it's my fault. No worrying if the 'tuner' did this or that correctly.
You've obviously seen my thread... glad I could help nudge you in the right direction
I'm very very happy that I did this all myself... I know it's done right, and if something ****s up it's my fault. No worrying if the 'tuner' did this or that correctly.
You've obviously seen my thread... glad I could help nudge you in the right direction
Nice numbers. I'm sure your are happy with them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 1
From: Rugby North Dakota
I just got back from the dyno... car made 424/378 for the final numbers... maxed at 429 rwhp. This is on fuel w/ 10% ethanol.
I'm very very happy that I did this all myself... I know it's done right, and if something ****s up it's my fault. No worrying if the 'tuner' did this or that correctly.
You've obviously seen my thread... glad I could help nudge you in the right direction
I'm very very happy that I did this all myself... I know it's done right, and if something ****s up it's my fault. No worrying if the 'tuner' did this or that correctly.
You've obviously seen my thread... glad I could help nudge you in the right direction
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 7,121
Likes: 3
From: Shreveport/Bossier Louisiana
St. Jude Donor '08
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 170
Likes: 1
From: Newcastle OK
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,275
Likes: 4
From: Vancouver WA
I went through the same situation when I bought headers. I could not decide on whether I wanted to tackle the job myself or pay someone 500-600 to do it. I ended up doing the install myself, which I am glad I did. It was fairly easy to begin with and aside from saving money, I got the satisfaction of doing it myself.
Anyways....on to the cam.
I have a TSP cam package, oil pump, and chain on the way. I can't decide on what to do. I know it's more involved than the headers but doesn't look like anything too major with the right tools. Recent threads like Cobra4B's really give me some drive to do it myself but touching the internals on a 30+K car worries me. A couple of local VERY REPUTABLE shops want 1000 for the install and 500-600 to tune it. I would really love to do it myself for the experience not to mention saving the dough.
I hope you guys help me decide because I want this done soon.
D.I.Y
-Need to buy spring compressor tool
-Need rods to hold up lifters
-Pully puller
-Air compresor and spark plus fitting
-gasket set
-XX hours of work
-XX beers
-The uncertainty of a first time cam swap
SHOP
- pay thru the nose, buy know its done right
- no tools to buy
- no cuts, scrapes, or bruises
i am trying to weigh all my options, and yes I have read the ls1howto plenty of times. Sorry for the long post but I had to get it out there.
Give me some opinions guys.
Thanks,
Ivan
Anyways....on to the cam.
I have a TSP cam package, oil pump, and chain on the way. I can't decide on what to do. I know it's more involved than the headers but doesn't look like anything too major with the right tools. Recent threads like Cobra4B's really give me some drive to do it myself but touching the internals on a 30+K car worries me. A couple of local VERY REPUTABLE shops want 1000 for the install and 500-600 to tune it. I would really love to do it myself for the experience not to mention saving the dough.
I hope you guys help me decide because I want this done soon.
D.I.Y
-Need to buy spring compressor tool
-Need rods to hold up lifters
-Pully puller
-Air compresor and spark plus fitting
-gasket set
-XX hours of work
-XX beers
-The uncertainty of a first time cam swap
SHOP
- pay thru the nose, buy know its done right
- no tools to buy
- no cuts, scrapes, or bruises
i am trying to weigh all my options, and yes I have read the ls1howto plenty of times. Sorry for the long post but I had to get it out there.
Give me some opinions guys.
Thanks,
Ivan
You should get a inpact wrench, and I would also suggest renting a King Kong 400-500 ft/lb TQ wrench, that has about a 4 foot long handle. It's more than you need, but it makes tightening it up much easier.
Also, you will need an install tool to pull the balancer on. DO NOT TRY TO PULL THE BALANCER ON WITH THE STOCK BALANCER BOLT.
One more thing. Be sure to get a BRAND NEW o-ring for the oil pump, and I would recommend replacing the oil pump and the timing chain. I used a LS4 oil pump and a LS2 timing chain. You can get both for about $100 from Fred Beans.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 3
From: Simi Valley CA
Looks like a DIY landslide. It's looking like I will atempt it myself. There are alot of helpful people on here, which is great. Now I just need to round up some tools and I should be ready to roll.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 1
From: Rugby North Dakota
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
If you have the skill and the patience, DIY. If you have to buy a tool you don't have, chances are you might need it again for something, and it would still be cheaper than paying someone else. Also, I don't think you need parts to hold the lifters up. They are supposed to stay up after removing the rockers and rotating the crank twice. You know a pro shop could screw it up as well as you could. Personally, I do all my own work on my Z. I learned by building my street rod as much of it myself that I could.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
BTW, I just bought my car out from the leasing company a couple of days ago. This is relevant because now I will do the unreversible mods. First I'm going to do headers and HID lights. After that I'm going to tackle my own cam swap.
