Jax03z06

whats the usual cost for all the neccesary parts for a cam swap??

Millenium Z06

$1900-2500 last i looked. I've seen some forum sponsors as low as $15-1800

Jax03z06

what are all the necessary parts?

jonnyc

cam,springs,and pushrods are minimum.but depending on your mileage it's a good idea to do valve seals,oil pump,and timing chain while you're in there.you will need a new bolt for the harmonic balancer but i would also suggest new valve cover gasket and timing cover gasket.then you need a new tune.
also since you have to unbolt the steering rack it might be a good idea to put new bushings there.

wrkdWS6

I've been pricing things out lately. If you shop around you can do cam, valve springs, pushrods, gaskets, crank bolt, and ls2 timing chain (better than stock) for ~$800. Going with a new or ported oil pump will tack another $100-200 onto that cost.

radar502

I did a cam install on my 04 Z this past winter plus other parts 505 FWHP on LMR rollers drive anywhere..I spent around $15-$1,800 with the tune was $550.00 ,PM me I'll give you in inside info on the details who to contact on parts and the build that won't break the bank. Missouri City TX..MIKE..

NosLaser

It's something I can do myself, but I got quoted $1100 including puling the heads and changing the balancer so I'm just going to go that route and pay to have it done.

chassed

Pulling the heads is not necessary.... if they say it is, id go someplace else.

NosLaser

It is to install the LS7 lifters I bought

chassed

HAHA

radar502

Need to have some understanding of how the LS motor works and really really know what your getting into to do a cam swap you got to take the front of the motor off rotator steering box on and on not a small deal but for someone that has worked on motors in the past not too big of a deal either . Mine came out great but been working on motors for years even at that was a pain for sure ,I did remove the heads and ported them more work but I think worth it ,just saying if can't do and find a good shop well worth it . Most shops get $95-$125 HR for there work plus parts..

Jax03z06

Thanks for the advice! Also I cant make up my mind on the cam. I want around 420rwhp but I don't want the drivability ruined. Ive been looking into the MS4 and SNS stage 3. I also want a decent chop at idle.

radar502

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm-U...ature=youtu.be Comp custom 230/236/ 595/595 on 112 Ported stock heads headers bullet cats and GHLs few other things 505 FWHP on LMR rollers.. Drive anywhere ..

wrkdWS6

I think you're looking at too much cam (unless all you want is max top-end power for roll racing or the drag strip). The MS4 is a huge cam for a 346 motor (239/242 .649/.600 specs) with the SNS stage 3 being a tad smaller than it but still large. If you want chop you want a cam with a healthy amount of overlap. That can still be achieved with a cam that has duration at a more reasonable level for a street car seeking out good drivability. Instead of the Texas Speed MS4 I'd suggest looking at the Torquer 2. Instead of the Tick SNS stage 3 I'd suggest the SNS stage 2. The cams mentioned will have better drivability than the SNS stage 3 and MS4 while still being real nice and choppy at idle and should definitely make 420+ rwhp. I'd research/target the cams I mentioned or something similar. Also, the drivability while being dictated by the cam is also at mercy with the quality of the tuner and tune.

NosLaser

Streetsweeper HT by FTI (Ed Curtis)

Great chop at idle but real good driveability, and will make your horsepower goal no problem, with more 'area under the curve.'

wrkdWS6

X2

That cam is money.

Millenium Z06

LS7 lifters are not an upgrade, you may want to research them before you go through the expesne of pulling the heads for them. I'd put some quality link bars in or leave the stock ones before I did LS7 lifters

radar502

from what I was told had to buy LS-7 lifters anymore there is no stock LS-1-6 lifters anymore I didn't have to change anything to install ,not an upgrade just new lifters ..Call Brian Tooley @888-959-8865 tell him what you need he will tell what you need and the best part WHY you need or don't need it .. Have know stuff to build the LS lots of BS out there give him a call. Cut to the chase..

NosLaser

Are there issues with the LS7 lifters? The car just turned 60k miles, and I was quoted only $200 more to pull the heads to do the lifters since he said it would make changing the springs easier anyway, and I'm also doing ARP head bolts. I wasn't getting them thinking they were an "upgrade" but more as "while you are in there" maintenance.

Yeah, pretty much the reason I'm doing them right here. I don't plan on going beyond cam-only I just wanted to do as much preventative maintenance as I could with the cam install. (One and done, you know? I already bought all the parts.)

Millenium Z06

LS7 lifters are the LS6 replacement but they are not an upgrade over the stock lifters and with the expense of head removal to do it, its a do it right once kinda thing. I'd use Lunati, Johnson or Morel who make Lunati's. I doubt theres the need for Johnsons so I'd go with simple link bars from Morel/Lunati