ZR1 cam in LS2
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 756
Likes: 2
From: EDMONTON ALBERTA
ZR1 cam in LS2
I installed the cam and the 3 bolts walked out into the cover took out lifters etc. Got it fixed by the GM store new everything, you guessed it the same thing happened again. I talked to a speed shop he told me the stock GM bolts are no good and they come out?
Any one run into this?
thanks
Any one run into this?
thanks
Track Junky
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 36
From: Orlando Area
Tech Contributor
did you loctite the bolts? There's a sad thread out there of a guy who forgot and destroyed his motor in less than 2 days from the same problem.
As a side note, what made you decide on a ZR1 cam in an LS2? Without knowing the cam specs, I wouldf think it would be pretty mild. That's a lot of work for a small cam.
As a side note, what made you decide on a ZR1 cam in an LS2? Without knowing the cam specs, I wouldf think it would be pretty mild. That's a lot of work for a small cam.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 756
Likes: 2
From: EDMONTON ALBERTA
did you loctite the bolts? There's a sad thread out there of a guy who forgot and destroyed his motor in less than 2 days from the same problem.
As a side note, what made you decide on a ZR1 cam in an LS2? Without knowing the cam specs, I wouldf think it would be pretty mild. That's a lot of work for a small cam.
As a side note, what made you decide on a ZR1 cam in an LS2? Without knowing the cam specs, I wouldf think it would be pretty mild. That's a lot of work for a small cam.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,331
Likes: 18
From: Missouri City Texas
I decided on that cam because i am running the A&A system and i heard that cam was good for about 20hp and still retained the same driving cateristic etc. I can tell you that for the 500 or so miles i ran the car it was a huge difference on top, and i felt less on the bottom end wich is fine by me.
It's still a decent blower cam, but there are just better options. I'm sure you'll be happy with it though and still be able to make crazy power on the street
Last edited by FloydSummerOf68; Aug 31, 2011 at 08:57 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 152
Likes: 8
From: San Diego California
A friend has gone thru this and here is what he figured out.
The GM torque spec is wrong. The bolts need to stretch to
do their job and 18 ft lbs is not enough. My guess is it is actually
a typo(should be 28 ft lbs).
Gary
The GM torque spec is wrong. The bolts need to stretch to
do their job and 18 ft lbs is not enough. My guess is it is actually
a typo(should be 28 ft lbs).
Gary
Last edited by Dial In Corvette; Sep 3, 2011 at 10:46 AM.
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Track Junky
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 36
From: Orlando Area
Tech Contributor
Does that mean that everyone who has a vette or has done a cam swap could be at risk? I torques my cam bolts per spec with loctite and haven't had an issue yet (4 months). I have seen several WOT dyno pulls and one track day so far.
I would certainly hope that if there was an error, GM would have alerted us. What specific research has your friend done?
I would certainly hope that if there was an error, GM would have alerted us. What specific research has your friend done?
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: King of Prussia PA
I've done numerous cam installs on gto's and have reused the bolts every time. red loctite and 18ft-lbs and never had an issue. I tighten them to 18ft-lbs first and then take them out, loctite, then retorque them back to 18 ft-lbs.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,002
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From: Southeast TX
Brake Clean works well for this. Dries quickly and leaves no residue. Just be careful spraying it in a "blind" hole or you will be blinded. That stuff hurts more than a little if you get it in your eye
Track Junky
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 36
From: Orlando Area
Tech Contributor
I curious to hear your reasoning. Without doing the research, I would bet that 28 ft-lbs on that small a bolt would cause it to fail. That's over 50% higher than the original number!
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
From: King of Prussia PA
It's actually 26 ft-lbs if we're talking about the same bolts here. 18 ft lbs are for the 4 10mm bolts that hold the cam retainer down. 26 ft-lbs are for the 3 cam sprocket bolts, also 10mm head, with loctite. I've done so many installs but its funny how I still have to look at the ls1howto.com torque specs just to assure myself ...