C5 Cam Install _ Any tips before I start?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Detroit MI
C5 Cam Install _ Any tips before I start?
I will be starting a cam only install in the upcoming week and wondering if anyone has any last minute suggestions/tips. I will be leaving the heads on and using the TDC method for swapping springs.
I will be using both LS1Howto.com articles (avoiding their method for removing/installing balancer), and the GM Service manual. Thanks.
Parts List:
-25-TSP228R6112 - Texas Speed LS1 Camshaft:
228/228, .600/.600, 112 LSA, 110 ICL
-199-PAC660PRCSpringKit - Texas Speed &
Performance .660" Dual Valve Spring Kit Featuring
PAC Valve Springs
-97-TVS-2187 - PAC .660 Dual Valve Spring, Per
Spring, Nano-Peened, 160 lb. @ 1.80", 415 lb. @ 1.15",
CB @ 1.015"
-25-7400-1 - Texas Speed & Performance 7.40
Chromoly Pushrod (Verifying with Comp Cams checker)
-28-12646386 - LS2 Timing Chain
-122-MEL10295 - Melling High Pressure Oil Pump,
1997+ LSx Based Vehicles (aligning gears using shims)
-28-CamGskKit - Texas Speed & Performance
Camshaft Gasket & Bolt Package
-Stock rocker arms
-Stock lifters
-TSP Tune
-Vararam W/powerduct
-axle back
-TSP Tune
I will be using both LS1Howto.com articles (avoiding their method for removing/installing balancer), and the GM Service manual. Thanks.
Parts List:
-25-TSP228R6112 - Texas Speed LS1 Camshaft:
228/228, .600/.600, 112 LSA, 110 ICL
-199-PAC660PRCSpringKit - Texas Speed &
Performance .660" Dual Valve Spring Kit Featuring
PAC Valve Springs
-97-TVS-2187 - PAC .660 Dual Valve Spring, Per
Spring, Nano-Peened, 160 lb. @ 1.80", 415 lb. @ 1.15",
CB @ 1.015"
-25-7400-1 - Texas Speed & Performance 7.40
Chromoly Pushrod (Verifying with Comp Cams checker)
-28-12646386 - LS2 Timing Chain
-122-MEL10295 - Melling High Pressure Oil Pump,
1997+ LSx Based Vehicles (aligning gears using shims)
-28-CamGskKit - Texas Speed & Performance
Camshaft Gasket & Bolt Package
-Stock rocker arms
-Stock lifters
-TSP Tune
-Vararam W/powerduct
-axle back
-TSP Tune
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 874
Likes: 107
From: Detroit MI
Strongly consider doing a trunion upgrade on the rockers. When you run a higher lift cam like that, you run a high risk of the stock bearings failing, and throwing needle bearings into the crank case (yikes).
The Straub bushing upgrade is really nice. It's what I went with.
Also, take a close look at your cam plate. There's an integrated gasket in there that seals an oil galley. Most re-use it, but the part is cheap and an easy swap for cheap insurance. If this gasket fails, you'll have oil pressure concerns.
Otherwise, it's pretty straight forward. Definitely buy a damper installer (I bought one on eBay for less than $20) and buy the front cover alignment tool from Sac City. DO NOT let the cover self-center, because it won't. Ask me how I know...
Also, when you install dot-to-dot, make sure you turn the engine over by hand a few times. and verify that the dots continue to line up. They should, but it's a handy way to see if you're off by a tooth or so. It also give you confidence that you won't have any piston to valve interference issues.
The Straub bushing upgrade is really nice. It's what I went with.
Also, take a close look at your cam plate. There's an integrated gasket in there that seals an oil galley. Most re-use it, but the part is cheap and an easy swap for cheap insurance. If this gasket fails, you'll have oil pressure concerns.
Otherwise, it's pretty straight forward. Definitely buy a damper installer (I bought one on eBay for less than $20) and buy the front cover alignment tool from Sac City. DO NOT let the cover self-center, because it won't. Ask me how I know...
Also, when you install dot-to-dot, make sure you turn the engine over by hand a few times. and verify that the dots continue to line up. They should, but it's a handy way to see if you're off by a tooth or so. It also give you confidence that you won't have any piston to valve interference issues.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 254
Likes: 36
From: Rotonda West, Florida
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
There's mixed reviews on the trunion upgrade, I had them done on a old Fbody heads, cam car. I asked the shop doing the work on my C5 install (sponsor here) and he told me that he saw just about the same about of those fails as the ones without. And im assuming its a mail order tune, even though its there cam I would suggest at least a street tune in the future.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 874
Likes: 107
From: Detroit MI
There's mixed reviews on the trunion upgrade, I had them done on a old Fbody heads, cam car. I asked the shop doing the work on my C5 install (sponsor here) and he told me that he saw just about the same about of those fails as the ones without. And im assuming its a mail order tune, even though its there cam I would suggest at least a street tune in the future.
But the stockers really won't last when running a cam with high lift. (more than .575"). When I pulled my rockers and played with them, it's clear that their range of motion is limited. Meeting or exceeding that range won't last long.
.
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,042
Likes: 1,157
From: Oregon
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
Comp uses the bronze bushings now from what I have seen. This is the old post about their failure.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...s-of-pics.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...s-of-pics.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 874
Likes: 107
From: Detroit MI
Comp uses the bronze bushings now from what I have seen. This is the old post about their failure.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...s-of-pics.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...s-of-pics.html
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.
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,042
Likes: 1,157
From: Oregon
St. Jude Donor '14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
Interesting from this pic seems they still Might use it
http://www.compperformancegroupstore...Category_Code=
I have this set still NIB but never used it. I also went with the Straub kit
http://www.compperformancegroupstore...Category_Code=
I have this set still NIB but never used it. I also went with the Straub kit
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
Personally, I would wait on pushrods and measure before buying. Then, buy larger OD like 11/32". The hardened pushrods don't buy you any stiffness increase at all over the stock pushrods. With those springs, 5/16" pushrods will be like a pole vault and will likely bound your valves causing issues down the road IMO.
Last edited by vettenuts; Apr 27, 2017 at 06:55 AM.