Heads and Cam question . .
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 0
From: Mississauga ONTARIO
Re: Heads and Cam question . . (C5MongooseFL)
Whatcha got..and what would you recommend ? ?
Should I go with just a set of heads, or heads and cam ? ?
On a somewhat limited budget..so I cant go crazy.
Thanks
"D"
Should I go with just a set of heads, or heads and cam ? ?
On a somewhat limited budget..so I cant go crazy.
Thanks
"D"
I was in a very similar situation... and did quite a bit of research and wanted the best bang for my buck.
If you can do the labor yourself, even better....
take a look at at these posts I put up on my experience:
Part I: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=438265
Part II: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=451165
Part III (the best part) : http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=452086
hope this helps........ let us know what u end up doing and post your results!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 5,005
Likes: 38
From: jackson nj
Re: Heads and Cam question . . (C5MongooseFL)
The mileage is not an issue, provided the engine is in good shape to begin with. My first H/C setup was put on at approx. 36,000 mi., the second was put on at 50,000 mi. and I now have 80,000 mi on the car, and over 500 drag strip runs.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 91,518
Likes: 173
From: o|||||||o
CI 4-5-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07 thru '11
Re: Heads and Cam question . . (C5MongooseFL)
My 2001 has almost 56K on it, and I'll be doing heads and cam shortly. :D Good luck with your h/c quest.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 4,026
Likes: 0
From: Renaissance Festival TAZ the Wolfdog (R.I.P.)
Re: Heads and Cam question . . (CJS)
Question: "but do you still have the factory warranty, if so, the dealer won't hassle you in the future if warranty work is req'd?"
Yes, my local dealer will warranty the rest of the car, things like radio, radiator, window motors etc. I would not ask or expect GM to warranty a cam I purchased from ThunderRacing Co. I would go to TR for any cam warranty if they even offer any.
I would however ask my dealer to warrany items like my Stock replacement Z06 clutch and heads. But honest I don't know if my dealer would warranty those items. Those Items are original GM, but the heads were used take-offs and I purchased the clutch from Fichtner Chevrolet (supporting dealer) so that is a gray area.
My general feeling is that the car won't break unless I abuse it, now that I have gotten to know it pretty well for 2 years and 26,000 miles.
But I have to say I have a great dealer who really treats us hot rodders rignt! I did not even buy the car there!
Yes, my local dealer will warranty the rest of the car, things like radio, radiator, window motors etc. I would not ask or expect GM to warranty a cam I purchased from ThunderRacing Co. I would go to TR for any cam warranty if they even offer any.
I would however ask my dealer to warrany items like my Stock replacement Z06 clutch and heads. But honest I don't know if my dealer would warranty those items. Those Items are original GM, but the heads were used take-offs and I purchased the clutch from Fichtner Chevrolet (supporting dealer) so that is a gray area.
My general feeling is that the car won't break unless I abuse it, now that I have gotten to know it pretty well for 2 years and 26,000 miles.
But I have to say I have a great dealer who really treats us hot rodders rignt! I did not even buy the car there!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,818
Likes: 3
From: SoCal
Re: Heads and Cam question . . (billreid1@***.net)
Cam swaps are not easy... and I've done several and have the tools and lift to make the job as easy as possible. The labor to swap a cam is about $1000 give or take $200. I know this is a big span but some shops will remove the heads and some will not. If a dealership does it... the heads will come off... per the book. For a cam swap only we will not remove the heads... we pull the valvetrain and insert custom rod/magnet assemblies that hold the lifters up so the cam can be removed... one of very few procedures where we will deviate from the book. It has been posted before that some spin the cam to push the lifters up into the retainers before pulling the cam out. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee a lifter will not drop... making impossible to install the new cam. Other things to consider before tackling this yourself is the rack has to come out. Torquing/degreeing the harmonic balancer can be tricky on jack stands... especially if you do not have a flywheel lock. Its been done... but I wouldn't do it without a lift. The front engine cover plate should be aligned properly before torquing the bolts. People have cracked their covers and/or experienced severe oil leaks because the alignment tool was not used. I not saying its impossible... nor am I trying to scare anyone into paying to have it done. I am just informing folks of important portions of the task... and how involved it can be.
:cheers:
:cheers:
Cars are not rocket science, they are bolts and nuts. People need to learn to be less scared to do things themselves, and thats why I do what I do. I used to be scared of working on my car too, and now im not (and I'm enjoying the extra money it affords me from not paying labor).
I'm *not* saying $1000 isnt fair, I'm just saying the work is not difficult (its something most any wrench monkey could do), just tedious. If that is what you meant by "cam swaps are not easy", then I agree.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 1
From: Woodlands Texas
Re: Heads and Cam question . . (jmX)
I'm *not* saying $1000 isnt fair, I'm just saying the work is not difficult (its something most any wrench monkey could do), just tedious. If that is what you meant by "cam swaps are not easy", then I agree.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,372
Likes: 51
From: New Milford CT
Re: Heads and Cam question . . (Steve02C5)
Steve02C5, I agree! I am very, very lucky to have such a good Chevy dealer.
But it is just people that make it nice, the service advisor is very car savvy, and the actual mechanic/technician told me he had owned and raced many vettes himself, went to Porches though.
I told them that their good service made up for the fact that the car needed rings in the first place. Believe me I was dreading it, but not anymore, I will take my car back to them anytime.
But it is just people that make it nice, the service advisor is very car savvy, and the actual mechanic/technician told me he had owned and raced many vettes himself, went to Porches though.
I told them that their good service made up for the fact that the car needed rings in the first place. Believe me I was dreading it, but not anymore, I will take my car back to them anytime.
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Former Vendor
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,812
Likes: 3
From: DFW, TX www.vettestripes.com
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08
Re: Heads and Cam question . . (C5MongooseFL)
I'm *not* saying $1000 isnt fair, I'm just saying the work is not difficult (its something most any wrench monkey could do), just tedious. If that is what you meant by "cam swaps are not easy", then I agree.
Ok...wanna come to Tampa to do mine.... :jester
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 120
From: East Tennessee
Re: Heads and Cam question . . (C5MongooseFL)
My 98 has just hit 50k miles....is this too late in the game to put a set of heads and cam in ? ?
"D"
"D"