HELP Fixing to do a Cam Swap
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Russellville Arkansas
HELP Fixing to do a Cam Swap
I've got a 98 Auto with about 110,000 miles. Put a set of Long tubes on and a new cat back. it already has a under drive pulley and cold air intake. I'm wanting to put a LG G5X3 in it. I know ill need new push rods... But what size???. and some new springs...a new timing chain...and gonna go ahead an get a new oil pump. what else will i need or should i go ahead and get. Do i need lifters...rockers...new valves??? I plan on having a local shop do the work. Advice is much need and i'm open to all opinions.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Cedarburg, WI
I would go with new lifters and trays.....but that will mean pulling the heads! Should measure for pushrods with a pushrod length checker. Don't just get a timing chain, get a complete new timing set with cam & crank sprockets.
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Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 86
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From: Russellville Arkansas
So if i get new lifters should i get OEM stock lifters or a better aftermarket lifter. And are the stock rocker arms adjustable? Some after market lifters say ill need a adjustable valve train...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 2
From: Cedarburg, WI
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 2
From: Cedarburg, WI
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From: Anthony TX
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St. Jude Donor '08
Just get the LS7 lifters and new lifter buckets. I would get NEW Valve Seals and new GOLD Springs.
Have your rockers up-graded with improved roller bearing retainers. There are a couple companies that do that.
Get a new LS2 timing chain with BOTH gears.
You will need a new timing chain cover seal, oil pump O ring and water pump gaskets. I used a Melling pump on my 02 ZO6 and I am very happy with it.
See if you can locate a LS6 intake or a 2001 + C5 intake (same as an LS6) and install that in place of your stock intake. Much better air flow.
I would also recommend installing a Powerbond Damper.
If you remove your heads, you will need NEW head bolts (there a ONE TIME USE bolt) and head gaskets. Order the MLS Gaskets I up-graded to an ARP damper bolt.
BC
Have your rockers up-graded with improved roller bearing retainers. There are a couple companies that do that.
Get a new LS2 timing chain with BOTH gears.
You will need a new timing chain cover seal, oil pump O ring and water pump gaskets. I used a Melling pump on my 02 ZO6 and I am very happy with it.
See if you can locate a LS6 intake or a 2001 + C5 intake (same as an LS6) and install that in place of your stock intake. Much better air flow.
I would also recommend installing a Powerbond Damper.
If you remove your heads, you will need NEW head bolts (there a ONE TIME USE bolt) and head gaskets. Order the MLS Gaskets I up-graded to an ARP damper bolt.
BC
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From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
All the posts above pretty much say it all.
One thing I would mention is that the G5X3 is a big donkey di(k of a cam on stock heads... You're not even shaving them to bump compression - helps with throttle response on large duration cams.
I'd get a cam in the 228 intake duration and 23x on the exhaust for a stock headed car.
One thing I would mention is that the G5X3 is a big donkey di(k of a cam on stock heads... You're not even shaving them to bump compression - helps with throttle response on large duration cams.
I'd get a cam in the 228 intake duration and 23x on the exhaust for a stock headed car.
If you going that big in the cam, consider better heads with a better compression ratio.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
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Dont know the specs of that cam, but given you have an auto...
You may need a new torque/stall converter.
Large cam's have no power down low, so higher stall get's it going out the gate along with higher numeric gear ration in the rear.
Also, large cams can produce surge which you will feel a lot in a stock converter A4.
You may need a new torque/stall converter.
Large cam's have no power down low, so higher stall get's it going out the gate along with higher numeric gear ration in the rear.
Also, large cams can produce surge which you will feel a lot in a stock converter A4.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 2
From: Cedarburg, WI
That is what I decided to do - but heads can be done later also. When you decide to do heads I would recommend TFS or AFR. There are pros and cons of doing it all at once. Pro is the labor savings and you can have heads all set up for you prior to install. Con is the significant more time & money it adds to the project!
