I am doing a cam install over the Holidays and I'm about to order the parts for the install. I already got the cam, dual springs and push rods. My question is if I'm not doing anything to the heads should i worry about taking them off and replacing the head gaskets and use arp head bolts?

i know i need timing chain, arp cam bolts, arp retainer bolts, pulley, spring tool, ac belt, gasket kit and fluids.

its a 05 with 40k miles, 150 shot right now.

 

If you're interested, I have a cam-install gasket kit for an LS2 that isn't going to be used (going A&A blower instead).

If you want it I'll make you a great deal on it. We could meet up since you're in Friendswood and I'm in Missouri City. I also have a few other pieces if you need anything (can talk via PM about that though, if interested)


As far as the head gaskets....be VERY sure that your cam won't have any issues with a different gasket and PTV clearance. Talk to whoever specced the cam.

 

I just did my cam swap about 2 months ago so this information is relatively fresh. Mine is an LS3 though so the LS2 might have some slight differences.

From the list you provided, it sounds like you have everything you need.

By pulley, I'm assuming you mean underdrive which is essentially free hp while doing the cam swap. If you are doing the UDP, you will need different size belts as the diameter of the pulley will be different than the stock one.

Depending on how aggressive your cam is, you could remove the heads and put in a thinner gasket to up the compression by half a point or so. You would need to make sure you don't run into any PTV clearance issues though.

I don't know the specifics on what size gasket you would need but I'm sure a little research would yield the right answer. I know Joe_G is an expert in the LS2 motor so perhaps he'll chime in here.

Make sure you have a printout of the correct torque specs for the motor as well.

Here is a good link for them
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...-laminate.html


Here are the threads I started when doing my cam swap. I feel there is a lot of good information in them so you might find the answers to any lingering questions inside.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...g-it-down.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...the-bolts.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...ps-tricks.html

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...a-success.html

EDIT: Ya, Shawn knows his stuff too so he's another great resource to use

 

bobby at clear lake speed did my cam and said i should use the same as stock. I'm just wondering if its worth the extra couple hundred replacing them and bolts. some say its easier to remove the heads to do the cam install.

let me know about the gasket kit and we can meet this weekend.

 

thanks i have been reading all these/yours threads and have them booked marked :-)

i know i will be using them!

 

No reason to remove cylinder heads. Get yourself some wooden dowels to hold the lifters in there trays. Takes the pressure off you!!!

 

yeah i forgot about that but i know i need them!

 

+1 on the wood dowels but when you go to Walmart to pick them out, get them as straight as possible.

It's a tight fit and I was extremely nervous trying to remove them after the cam swap. I had visions in my head of them snapping off inside the head and wow, what a disaster that would have been.

If you go the wood dowel route, just oil them up good and you should be fine. Just be careful. You know the saying..an ounce of prevention. . .

Good luck and post up if you have any questions.

 

5/16 right?

 

I believe that is correct.

Funny story about trying to find those. . .

I was asking my wife where she thought there was a craft store around here as I needed these "special" dowels and she was like "just go to Walmart, they'll have them."

"No hunny, these are special dowels and they need to be like 3 feet long, I need a special craft store."

Low and behold. . .Walmart has a complete selection of dowels in all different sizes and I was apologizing for doubting my wife. Damnit she's smarter than me

 

my last oil change stuff i got from walmart and it was about $10 cheaper than autozone.

 

Walmart has everything. I bet you could just show up in the parking lot with parts and do the cam install there

I sent you a PM, btw.

 

Yep, that's sig material. Thanks Shawn

 

Learned this from Cloyes @ PRI show

http://www.cloyes.com/Portals/10/Ima...%20GM%20LS.pdf

Get the Cloyes timing chain set. They make them for the LS1/2/3/7 the unique thing about them is that there is no slop in the timing chain. GM cut the cam gear teeth to reduce noise but it allows for slop in the chain. Cloyes doesn't do this so there is no slop. It is tight like the Gen 1/2 SB. The chains are made by the same people that do the Katech chain.

 

^^ thanks i will check it out.

what about the oil pump? should i worry about that?

 

I would just get a shim kit from Katech unless yours shows signs of wear.

 

thanks! thats what i will do! $10 beats $160 ported ls6!

 

he guys above ar eright... head removal not necessary for cam swap. If you decide to go with ported or aftermarket heads, I would definately use ARP and even consider thinner head gaskets for higher CR.

 

thanks! i knew i didn't have to remove the heads but some people have been telling me its easier to do the springs and stuff.

i have been reading all the cam install threads on here, ls1 how to's and some on the GTO forums for about the last 6 months so i think i have a good idea how to do it. I'm a little worried about how to do the springs but i think when i see them it will make sense.

 

Springs are easy. 2 pieces of advice though

1) Get the correct tool

2) Don't forget #1

Also, I used the TDC method on the LS1 how-to and it was cake.

I used the comp cams LS3 spring removal tool and it worked perfectly so make sure you get a good quality tool or you'll be banging your head.