Consensus on ZO6 cam swap
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 4,077
Likes: 240
From: Houston TX
Consensus on ZO6 cam swap
So never swapped a ZO6 cam before, the balancer location makes it a special project. So, some say drop the cradle and jack up the motor, some say take the rack loose and move it over. I think I also read one where they take the tube loose and tilt the motor back. I also have the heads off for rebuild, have yet to go for the cam. So question is..........What's the easiest technique to get the needed clearance on the balancer to get it off? Looking for the number 1 reply here.
Thanks for suggestions.
Thanks for suggestions.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: tooele ut
I just did a motor swap on my 05' that had an 08 LS7 in it. There is no way to loosen up the steering rack and get the required clearance to pull the dampener. It would require you to lossen up the cradle too. I read and was told that it could be done. No way! Changed my mind on my cam in the new motor and had to try and swap it. I measured .821 to shy of getting the dampener off. Then you still have to try and get the lower timing gear off if you switch timing sets too. Not to mention getting the oil pump off.
I have been successful doing it on a friends C-5 multiple times though so maybe I just had a few too many beers to think straight. Hope that helps some. Maybe one of the experienced guys can tell you what I did wrong.........
I have been successful doing it on a friends C-5 multiple times though so maybe I just had a few too many beers to think straight. Hope that helps some. Maybe one of the experienced guys can tell you what I did wrong.........
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,655
Likes: 293
From: Canton Georgia
Disconnect the steering shaft, unbolt the upper control arm mounts from the frame, unbolt the upper shock mounts, then unbolt the lower nuts on the engine mounts.
Lower the front cradle with a pair of jack stands while supporting the engine with a jack under the bell housing. Then you can remove the dampener. You also need to lower the oil pan a slight amount to remove the oil pump without damaging the oil pan gasket. Good luck.
Lower the front cradle with a pair of jack stands while supporting the engine with a jack under the bell housing. Then you can remove the dampener. You also need to lower the oil pan a slight amount to remove the oil pump without damaging the oil pan gasket. Good luck.
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,479
Likes: 42
From: Dallas / Ft. Worth The Republic of TEXAS
So never swapped a ZO6 cam before, the balancer location makes it a special project. So, some say drop the cradle and jack up the motor, some say take the rack loose and move it over. I think I also read one where they take the tube loose and tilt the motor back. I also have the heads off for rebuild, have yet to go for the cam. So question is..........What's the easiest technique to get the needed clearance on the balancer to get it off? Looking for the number 1 reply here.
Thanks for suggestions.
Thanks for suggestions.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 508
From: Oshawa, Ontario
not quite
I just did a motor swap on my 05' that had an 08 LS7 in it. There is no way to loosen up the steering rack and get the required clearance to pull the dampener. It would require you to lossen up the cradle too. I read and was told that it could be done. No way! Changed my mind on my cam in the new motor and had to try and swap it. I measured .821 to shy of getting the dampener off. Then you still have to try and get the lower timing gear off if you switch timing sets too. Not to mention getting the oil pump off.
I have been successful doing it on a friends C-5 multiple times though so maybe I just had a few too many beers to think straight. Hope that helps some. Maybe one of the experienced guys can tell you what I did wrong.........
I have been successful doing it on a friends C-5 multiple times though so maybe I just had a few too many beers to think straight. Hope that helps some. Maybe one of the experienced guys can tell you what I did wrong.........
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: tooele ut
Pops? And no it wouldn't without lowering the cradle on my car. Glad you had some helpful advice for the guy trying to do the work. Post some pictures and help out if you know of an easier way to do it.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 4,077
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From: Houston TX
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 107
Likes: 1
From: Andrews AFB MD
I just slid the rack over to the passenger side, and had more than enough room to remove the balancer... no cradle dropping, no tube removal, a/c condenser did have to come out though... other than that it was fairly simple, and hooking up the PS lines was a complete pain! but if I were to do it again... idk which route I would take.... maybe dropping it? but then again, im pretty content with what I have now...
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Pensacola Florida GO GATORS!!! www.rlsebring.com www.c6c7vette.com
St. Jude Donor '17
I just slid the rack over to the passenger side, and had more than enough room to remove the balancer... no cradle dropping, no tube removal, a/c condenser did have to come out though... other than that it was fairly simple, and hooking up the PS lines was a complete pain! but if I were to do it again... idk which route I would take.... maybe dropping it? but then again, im pretty content with what I have now...
Did it about a year ago with Aware02, Motorhead47, TallyHo and didn't do any of the aforementioned stuff in the other posts. But Don't remember having to remove the condenser though.
Pulled a Hot Cam and installed an LS7 cam since the number were close except for the LSA. Runs the same as the HotCam but also idles and has low speed drive-ability with my A6.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: tooele ut
I just slid the rack over to the passenger side, and had more than enough room to remove the balancer... no cradle dropping, no tube removal, a/c condenser did have to come out though... other than that it was fairly simple, and hooking up the PS lines was a complete pain! but if I were to do it again... idk which route I would take.... maybe dropping it? but then again, im pretty content with what I have now...
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: tooele ut
Hey Thanks for trying to get me some more info. Based on the amount of guys that have checked in here and then replied I'm getting less than a .04% response rate. Thought I would get a bit more help than that. At this point I think I have it pretty much figured out. Going to hit it hard Friday morning and see how it goes. But anymore suggestions on technique would be greatly appreciated.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 4,077
Likes: 240
From: Houston TX
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,342
Likes: 89
From: Maryland
Did anyone ever get pictures and/or do a DIY on the cam install? I have my heads out and everything torn down awaiting the new heads and wanted to do the cam in the mean time. Thanks for any help you all can provide!
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Florence KY
This is what i followed. I removed the rack. Did mine a couple months ago. I also installed an ATI super damper to avoid any HB issues in the future. Might want to get it aligned after if you remove the rack.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...s-of-pics.html
This should also come in handy…
https://store-581ad.mybigcommerce.co...rque_Specs.pdf
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-t...s-of-pics.html
This should also come in handy…
https://store-581ad.mybigcommerce.co...rque_Specs.pdf