Technical Question: Self Cam / Heads Install
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Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 515
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From: Las Vegas NV
Technical Question: Self Cam / Heads Install
So, I looked through the last 6 pages of this forum seeing if anyone else has posted this question, but I can’t seem to find anything.
I have an 06. To be honest, I am not very happy with the performance. My C5 Z06 with all the mods I had done makes this new car feel like a pig. I have been so discouraged with it that I just leave it in the garage and hardly take it out. I put it up for sale once and did not get any takers.
The only thing that would make me happy with it is to make it sound and perform like a beast (like my C5).
So, I just moved to Reno, and it will be in the garage most of the winter. I think it would be a cool project to work on while she hibernates.
I would like to do a cam, or heads/cam install. I don’t know of any good places here in Reno that I can trust, and I could save a nice chunk of change doing it myself (its fun getting into these cars anyways).
Has anyone here done their own cam install? How hard is it? What kind of pointers could you give to me? I don’t mind tearing down the front of the car to get to the cam, I know this is a major job.
Can anyone give me any pointers?
I have an 06. To be honest, I am not very happy with the performance. My C5 Z06 with all the mods I had done makes this new car feel like a pig. I have been so discouraged with it that I just leave it in the garage and hardly take it out. I put it up for sale once and did not get any takers.
The only thing that would make me happy with it is to make it sound and perform like a beast (like my C5).
So, I just moved to Reno, and it will be in the garage most of the winter. I think it would be a cool project to work on while she hibernates.
I would like to do a cam, or heads/cam install. I don’t know of any good places here in Reno that I can trust, and I could save a nice chunk of change doing it myself (its fun getting into these cars anyways).
Has anyone here done their own cam install? How hard is it? What kind of pointers could you give to me? I don’t mind tearing down the front of the car to get to the cam, I know this is a major job.
Can anyone give me any pointers?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,046
Likes: 884
From: Tampa Florida
Okay, I feel you on this because I had an 02 Z06, Mods: Borla Stingers, Halltech T1, dyno tune, 375rwhp/359rwtq with 10,000 miles. It was my first Corvette and it was fast. I bought it back in June 2005 sold it and in Nov 2005 bought an 05 C6 with only 2700 miles. The C6 felt like a pig, no comparison to the Z06. But something started to happen around 5000 miles. I started to feel SOTP and torque. Maybe it was a break period. As the miles increase I felt better with the rapid pick up. Now, that I have the VaraRam, it is not the same car as day one.
I would start with an CAI of your choice. Calloway Honker and LPE are pretty good also. And another thing, I have the Z51 Mn6. If you want my personal opinion, I believe that my C6 Z51 would outrun the 02 Z06 I had on top end, but the 1/4 mile the 02 Z06 may have edge. I'm very happy with my C6 now.
I would start with an CAI of your choice. Calloway Honker and LPE are pretty good also. And another thing, I have the Z51 Mn6. If you want my personal opinion, I believe that my C6 Z51 would outrun the 02 Z06 I had on top end, but the 1/4 mile the 02 Z06 may have edge. I'm very happy with my C6 now.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 14,950
Likes: 264
From: St. Louis, MO
St. Jude Donor '08
I felt the exact way as you after my H/C C5 was stolen and I got in this slow a$$ C6 and got spanked at the drag strip by stock C5Z06's.
I decided to go the Vararam, headers and 3:90 gears and tune route this time, to avoid the hassles of a cammed car dying in daily drive traffic and bad mileage of a cammed car. I'm happy with the car now, I am hoping to get my 11 second time slip when winter finally hits S. Fla soon.
That said, this website has excellent step by step instructions for a C5, and most things are the same (or you can figure out the differences).
http://www.ls1howto.com/
I decided to go the Vararam, headers and 3:90 gears and tune route this time, to avoid the hassles of a cammed car dying in daily drive traffic and bad mileage of a cammed car. I'm happy with the car now, I am hoping to get my 11 second time slip when winter finally hits S. Fla soon.
That said, this website has excellent step by step instructions for a C5, and most things are the same (or you can figure out the differences).
http://www.ls1howto.com/
Last edited by Joe_G; Nov 17, 2006 at 09:22 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,796
Likes: 1
From: Annandale VA
There are several excellent DIY instructions for heads/cam installs on the forum, and a search should uncover them. There is also the "install university" website. LS1TECH.COM may also have some good info.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 0
From: Brownsville Tx
You should send a pm to forum member CYA-vette. He has complete DIY instructions with pictures for a cam swap. He can also help with any other questions you might have...really great guy.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Las Vegas NV
Thanks everyone for the info.
One of the major reaons I want the Cam is for the sound. My last z06 was so freaking nasty sounding that eveywhere I went I would have a croud. I love the lopyness (sp?) of a low LBA
I'll pm CYA-vette and see where is info is posted. Thanks.
Travis
One of the major reaons I want the Cam is for the sound. My last z06 was so freaking nasty sounding that eveywhere I went I would have a croud. I love the lopyness (sp?) of a low LBA
I'll pm CYA-vette and see where is info is posted. Thanks.
Travis
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 199
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From: Sterling hts. MI
Originally Posted by Travis99C5
Thanks everyone for the info.
One of the major reaons I want the Cam is for the sound. My last z06 was so freaking nasty sounding that eveywhere I went I would have a croud. I love the lopyness (sp?) of a low LBA
I'll pm CYA-vette and see where is info is posted. Thanks.
Travis
One of the major reaons I want the Cam is for the sound. My last z06 was so freaking nasty sounding that eveywhere I went I would have a croud. I love the lopyness (sp?) of a low LBA
I'll pm CYA-vette and see where is info is posted. Thanks.
Travis
HARDEST PART DOING A H/C IS GETTING THE RACK & PINION OUT THE WAY. EVERYTHING ELSE IS A BREZZE
