Cam Install ? for DIY's
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 699
Likes: 0
From: Vettemod.com For the C3 People
St. Jude Donor '06
Cam Install ? for DIY's
Hey guys,
I have read the procedure on how to do a C5 cam and have done many a cam on older corvettes. For those who did their own cam on a C5, for above average mechanic(s), what is a true estimate of how long it takes?
Goal is to do cam, heads / headers, and new stall converter as funds come available. Cam being the slowest I am going to tackle it first. I would be happy to achieve 400+ hp / 450+ torque rw on an A4. This is a weekend / trip cruising machine only. Looking for biggest gains on bottom end, 0-60 mph.
How far can I stretch the old stock valve springs without issues? i.e change the heads later but go ahead to a larger cam now. 51K miles
I am into scarring old folks and kids and would love to have input on going to a 112LSA on the cam. Anyone unhappy with that much lope? My 82 has a 110LSA and dang it sounds wicked to only have maybe 300/300 hp / torq.
Thanks in advance! I appreciate all you guys with the help through the years!
tt
I have read the procedure on how to do a C5 cam and have done many a cam on older corvettes. For those who did their own cam on a C5, for above average mechanic(s), what is a true estimate of how long it takes?
Goal is to do cam, heads / headers, and new stall converter as funds come available. Cam being the slowest I am going to tackle it first. I would be happy to achieve 400+ hp / 450+ torque rw on an A4. This is a weekend / trip cruising machine only. Looking for biggest gains on bottom end, 0-60 mph.
How far can I stretch the old stock valve springs without issues? i.e change the heads later but go ahead to a larger cam now. 51K miles
I am into scarring old folks and kids and would love to have input on going to a 112LSA on the cam. Anyone unhappy with that much lope? My 82 has a 110LSA and dang it sounds wicked to only have maybe 300/300 hp / torq.
Thanks in advance! I appreciate all you guys with the help through the years!
tt
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 4
From: Jacksonville Florida
Hey guys,
I have read the procedure on how to do a C5 cam and have done many a cam on older corvettes. For those who did their own cam on a C5, for above average mechanic(s), what is a true estimate of how long it takes?
Goal is to do cam, heads / headers, and new stall converter as funds come available. Cam being the slowest I am going to tackle it first. I would be happy to achieve 400+ hp / 450+ torque rw on an A4. This is a weekend / trip cruising machine only. Looking for biggest gains on bottom end, 0-60 mph.
How far can I stretch the old stock valve springs without issues? i.e change the heads later but go ahead to a larger cam now. 51K miles
I am into scarring old folks and kids and would love to have input on going to a 112LSA on the cam. Anyone unhappy with that much lope? My 82 has a 110LSA and dang it sounds wicked to only have maybe 300/300 hp / torq.
Thanks in advance! I appreciate all you guys with the help through the years!
tt
I have read the procedure on how to do a C5 cam and have done many a cam on older corvettes. For those who did their own cam on a C5, for above average mechanic(s), what is a true estimate of how long it takes?
Goal is to do cam, heads / headers, and new stall converter as funds come available. Cam being the slowest I am going to tackle it first. I would be happy to achieve 400+ hp / 450+ torque rw on an A4. This is a weekend / trip cruising machine only. Looking for biggest gains on bottom end, 0-60 mph.
How far can I stretch the old stock valve springs without issues? i.e change the heads later but go ahead to a larger cam now. 51K miles
I am into scarring old folks and kids and would love to have input on going to a 112LSA on the cam. Anyone unhappy with that much lope? My 82 has a 110LSA and dang it sounds wicked to only have maybe 300/300 hp / torq.
Thanks in advance! I appreciate all you guys with the help through the years!
tt
If your planning to eventually do cam/heads/headers i would save up and do all three at once, it is much easier to swap head and cams at the same time vs swapping in just the cam, save yourself all the effort and having to pay for multiple tunes and do that all at once.
Before you go putting in a big cam, your gonna need the stall converter, youll be miserable in an A4 with a big cam and no stall,
My advice, do a stall and rear gears first (i prefer 3.73's in A4 Cars)
After stall and gears do your heads/cam/headers all at once, youll be glad you did
Last edited by euro@EFIAlchemy.com; Dec 6, 2007 at 12:03 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,493
Likes: 1,178
From: Dyer, IN
You cant do anything cam wise with the stock springs, stockers are marginal at best with a stock cam.
If your planning to eventually do cam/heads/headers i would save up and do all three at once, it is much easier to swap head and cams at the same time vs swapping in just the cam, save yourself all the effort and having to pay for multiple tunes and do that all at once.
Before you go putting in a big cam, your gonna need the stall converter, youll be miserable in an A4 with a big cam and no stall,
My advice, do a stall and rear gears first (i prefer 3.73's in A4 Cars)
After stall and gears do your heads/cam/headers all at once, youll be glad you did
If your planning to eventually do cam/heads/headers i would save up and do all three at once, it is much easier to swap head and cams at the same time vs swapping in just the cam, save yourself all the effort and having to pay for multiple tunes and do that all at once.
Before you go putting in a big cam, your gonna need the stall converter, youll be miserable in an A4 with a big cam and no stall,
My advice, do a stall and rear gears first (i prefer 3.73's in A4 Cars)
After stall and gears do your heads/cam/headers all at once, youll be glad you did
i would change the springs as well. How many miles on the car?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Since lifters are under the heads, less risk to do the cam when the lifters/heads are off if you plan to anyhow. I usually work on the car a couple hours after work and weekend between the usual household chores. I typically plan two weeks for these types of things so I don't get rushed. Setting up the cam, measuring for pushrods, set rocker wipe, etc. take time.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 246
From: Toronto Ontario
how will these affect today to today..
How will the driveabily be after Heads/Cam/Headers/rear gears....
Not so much with respect to gas mileage, but for stop and go traffic and short runs about town...
Not so much with respect to gas mileage, but for stop and go traffic and short runs about town...
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Lumberton TX
I know when funds are a issue it is hard to wait. The best thing you can do on your car is 3.73 gears and a 3400 or 3600 stall. This will wake up your car for now. Then do cam & heads & U/D pully. Next do headers to get the benefit of cam & heads. Don't overlook cost of gaskets, ported oil pump, timing chain, new head bolts, lifters, push rods, and tune. Horse Power don't come cheap. Best of luck. Frank
Last edited by jordanfd; Jan 12, 2008 at 11:23 AM. Reason: goof
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Lumberton TX
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 823
Likes: 0
From: Newport Beach CA
Hey guys,
I have read the procedure on how to do a C5 cam and have done many a cam on older corvettes. For those who did their own cam on a C5, for above average mechanic(s), what is a true estimate of how long it takes?
Goal is to do cam, heads / headers, and new stall converter as funds come available. Cam being the slowest I am going to tackle it first. I would be happy to achieve 400+ hp / 450+ torque rw on an A4. This is a weekend / trip cruising machine only. Looking for biggest gains on bottom end, 0-60 mph.
How far can I stretch the old stock valve springs without issues? i.e change the heads later but go ahead to a larger cam now. 51K miles
I am into scarring old folks and kids and would love to have input on going to a 112LSA on the cam. Anyone unhappy with that much lope? My 82 has a 110LSA and dang it sounds wicked to only have maybe 300/300 hp / torq.
Thanks in advance! I appreciate all you guys with the help through the years!
tt
I have read the procedure on how to do a C5 cam and have done many a cam on older corvettes. For those who did their own cam on a C5, for above average mechanic(s), what is a true estimate of how long it takes?
Goal is to do cam, heads / headers, and new stall converter as funds come available. Cam being the slowest I am going to tackle it first. I would be happy to achieve 400+ hp / 450+ torque rw on an A4. This is a weekend / trip cruising machine only. Looking for biggest gains on bottom end, 0-60 mph.
How far can I stretch the old stock valve springs without issues? i.e change the heads later but go ahead to a larger cam now. 51K miles
I am into scarring old folks and kids and would love to have input on going to a 112LSA on the cam. Anyone unhappy with that much lope? My 82 has a 110LSA and dang it sounds wicked to only have maybe 300/300 hp / torq.
Thanks in advance! I appreciate all you guys with the help through the years!
tt
Guest
Posts: n/a
You cant do anything cam wise with the stock springs, stockers are marginal at best with a stock cam.
If your planning to eventually do cam/heads/headers i would save up and do all three at once, it is much easier to swap head and cams at the same time vs swapping in just the cam, save yourself all the effort and having to pay for multiple tunes and do that all at once.
Before you go putting in a big cam, your gonna need the stall converter, youll be miserable in an A4 with a big cam and no stall,
My advice, do a stall and rear gears first (i prefer 3.73's in A4 Cars)
After stall and gears do your heads/cam/headers all at once, youll be glad you did
If your planning to eventually do cam/heads/headers i would save up and do all three at once, it is much easier to swap head and cams at the same time vs swapping in just the cam, save yourself all the effort and having to pay for multiple tunes and do that all at once.
Before you go putting in a big cam, your gonna need the stall converter, youll be miserable in an A4 with a big cam and no stall,
My advice, do a stall and rear gears first (i prefer 3.73's in A4 Cars)
After stall and gears do your heads/cam/headers all at once, youll be glad you did
Do this in stages it will pay off in the long run.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
From: Lumberton TX
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,134
Likes: 1
From: Arlington Texas
Since lifters are under the heads, less risk to do the cam when the lifters/heads are off if you plan to anyhow. I usually work on the car a couple hours after work and weekend between the usual household chores. I typically plan two weeks for these types of things so I don't get rushed. Setting up the cam, measuring for pushrods, set rocker wipe, etc. take time.
I did the same. I took two weeks to do cam, heads, and all the components that go with them. I'm doing the intake next weekend.