98 Vette build in progress...
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Munster Indiana
98 Vette build in progress...
Alright guys here is what I've got so far. I picked up a '98 Corvette in October and had the head replaced with a Z06 Head (LS??) and all the Z06 parts (throttle body, cam, etc.)It's got the Vararam intake and BBK ssi Intake Manifold. It's got some form of aftermarket exhaust that the previous owner had put on...It's got a pretty deep rumble at idle and under throttle sounds beefy enough for me 
It's got factory Z06 Headers. I just ordered a short throw shifter, and I'm trying to figure out what to do next. I called a shop to see if they could swap in a 4.11 ring and pinion gear, and they quoted me $2,300 Which seemed reallllly high. What should I expect to pay to get a 4.10 or 4.11 ring and pinion gear installed (parts and labor please for the Chicagoland area)
Also, I kind of want a new cam. I want one that will make good power gains when put on a dyno, and one that has a pretty nice blop sound to it.
If I got a good tune does anyone have a guess as to about how much power I'll be making? (before and after the new mods)
Do the Z06 Headers flow enough or should I think about upgrading them?
What are other common upgrades that people do?
Sorry for soo many questions. Thanks guys!
It's got factory Z06 Headers. I just ordered a short throw shifter, and I'm trying to figure out what to do next. I called a shop to see if they could swap in a 4.11 ring and pinion gear, and they quoted me $2,300 Which seemed reallllly high. What should I expect to pay to get a 4.10 or 4.11 ring and pinion gear installed (parts and labor please for the Chicagoland area)Also, I kind of want a new cam. I want one that will make good power gains when put on a dyno, and one that has a pretty nice blop sound to it.
If I got a good tune does anyone have a guess as to about how much power I'll be making? (before and after the new mods)
Do the Z06 Headers flow enough or should I think about upgrading them?
What are other common upgrades that people do?
Sorry for soo many questions. Thanks guys!
Last edited by Simbotto; Jan 31, 2009 at 09:42 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 76
Likes: 1
From: palatine illinois
You should contact Speed inc. in shaumburg they will answer all your questions, and yes 2300 for a gear change is kinda steep especially when you can buy whole Z06 diff with 3.42 gear for about 550 to 650 on ebay. You also better off getting some long tubes they sound way better. One more thing I did all the work on my vette and it is actually easy to work on so try it yourself that way you can avoid paying the "corvette tax". Good luck!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 13
From: Akron Ohio
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Munster Indiana
I don't have working speakers on my personal desktop but later today when I get in to work I'll load that video and give it a listen =) Thanks!
I've worked on cars before but they were always imports....How difficult is a cam swap? Could I just drop in the new cams and then drive to a dyno or what?
I've worked on cars before but they were always imports....How difficult is a cam swap? Could I just drop in the new cams and then drive to a dyno or what?
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 76
Likes: 1
From: palatine illinois
Cam swap is not as easy as overheadcam 4cylinder but its not bad I suggest you either buy a book (there is couple good ones out there) or Google it. And most likely when you change the cam you wonn't be able to drive it (I couldn't, no idle).
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Munster Indiana
I called a local shop today and they told me that to swap the cam on a Vette engine you've gotta pull it out? He said the computer called for 20.5 hours of labor. Is that right?? Back in my Honda days they'd just drop right in 
What did it take to get it up and running again after you swapped yours?
What did it take to get it up and running again after you swapped yours?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Munster Indiana
Jeeze Ragtop, I'm really starting to think I should just listen to you and call Speed Inc. up, lol. I live in Munster Indiana, so I'm not too far from Shaumburg. Maybe I can get em to give me a deal if they do the Cam and rear end at the same time
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 8
From: Indian Rocks Beach FL
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I called a local shop today and they told me that to swap the cam on a Vette engine you've gotta pull it out? He said the computer called for 20.5 hours of labor. Is that right?? Back in my Honda days they'd just drop right in
What did it take to get it up and running again after you swapped yours?
What did it take to get it up and running again after you swapped yours?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 879
Likes: 0
From: Waynesville Missouri
cam swap
Do not take your vette to that shop. They have no clue what they are talking about. You do not have to take out the motor to swap the cam. There are plent of posts on here about how to swap a cam with pics and more than enough people on here that can guide you in the right direction. They are just trying to rip you off. I swapped out my heads and cam on my turbo set up and never pulled the motor once. Good luck!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 27
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From: Munster Indiana
Speed Inc. Said that they don't swap gears, they swap rear ends. He said $1,800 would get me a new rear end with 4.10 gears and labor is included. Do you guys think I should just do that?
How much will the 4.10 gears take off my 1/4? Do you guys think it's $1800 worth of kickassness? Do you think maybe I should just buy a $600 eBay diff. with like 3.42 gears? What would the difference in acceleration between the 3.42's and the 4.10's be?
He also said it would be $2,000 for the cams, pushrods, springs, labor, and tune.
How much will the 4.10 gears take off my 1/4? Do you guys think it's $1800 worth of kickassness? Do you think maybe I should just buy a $600 eBay diff. with like 3.42 gears? What would the difference in acceleration between the 3.42's and the 4.10's be?
He also said it would be $2,000 for the cams, pushrods, springs, labor, and tune.
Last edited by Simbotto; Feb 3, 2009 at 01:19 PM.