Cam install cost
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 422
Likes: 16
Cam install cost
I just finished doing a full exhaust, headers, plugs, wires, thermostat, and intake. I was going to do a tune but I think I want to go ahead and do a cam. I'm not confident on the install so I was wondering what shop in or around Cincinnati you guys would recommend and how much am I looking at? $2kish?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,672
Likes: 2,726
From: Atlanta GA
I just finished doing a full exhaust, headers, plugs, wires, thermostat, and intake. I was going to do a tune but I think I want to go ahead and do a cam. I'm not confident on the install so I was wondering what shop in or around Cincinnati you guys would recommend and how much am I looking at? $2kish?
Dave
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,492
Likes: 261
From: Miami Florida
I say take 2ish and buy a set of 6 bolts trick flow heads and do it your self, it will be the same price and end up with more power satisfaction and experience then sell your stock heads and recover money for tools you may have to get and use it for tuning, keep the tools the satisfaction the extra power and experience plus you don't have to let nobody touch your ride and from then on you are hands on in control.
Will walk you true it you'll be glad you did it yourself.
Will walk you true it you'll be glad you did it yourself.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 142
Likes: 29
From: Fayetteville TN
I have never took a motor apart other than changing out parts and I did the cam install a few months back and it was very simple just take your time. I read the walk through 100 times before doing the job. However to answer your question I had quotes from $500/$1200
The $500 guy was just installing and reusing what they could.
One I had for $800 was for install plus new cam bolts, crank bolt and all gaskets.
The $1,200 guy would only do it if he replaced every pulley and replaced every bolt with ARP's.
I did it myself only cost was $100 spring compressor and $40 HB Installer and I had to get a 3 bolt cam gear. Then $400 for a tune made my LS2 push 444/410.
Like XBoostX said get a set of Heads with your cam, so they can match the specs of the cam with the heads.
The $500 guy was just installing and reusing what they could.
One I had for $800 was for install plus new cam bolts, crank bolt and all gaskets.
The $1,200 guy would only do it if he replaced every pulley and replaced every bolt with ARP's.
I did it myself only cost was $100 spring compressor and $40 HB Installer and I had to get a 3 bolt cam gear. Then $400 for a tune made my LS2 push 444/410.
Like XBoostX said get a set of Heads with your cam, so they can match the specs of the cam with the heads.
Last edited by lawson1603; Dec 21, 2016 at 03:03 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 422
Likes: 16
I say take 2ish and buy a set of 6 bolts trick flow heads and do it your self, it will be the same price and end up with more power satisfaction and experience then sell your stock heads and recover money for tools you may have to get and use it for tuning, keep the tools the satisfaction the extra power and experience plus you don't have to let nobody touch your ride and from then on you are hands on in control.
Will walk you true it you'll be glad you did it yourself.
Will walk you true it you'll be glad you did it yourself.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,492
Likes: 261
From: Miami Florida
The new heads come with all you need new and perfect except the 3 bolt sprocket and the 3 bolts for it and maybe a new timing chain if you decide on doing it your self, lower sprocket you can reuse in any case always use GM sprockets only.
The cam we have spec out by Patrick G for your parts combination and your purpose. Any cam will work but only one is perfect the difference is only $40. bucks worth every penny.
Buy the heads and cam separately.
What engine do you have?
The cam we have spec out by Patrick G for your parts combination and your purpose. Any cam will work but only one is perfect the difference is only $40. bucks worth every penny.
Buy the heads and cam separately.
What engine do you have?
Pro
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 590
Likes: 37
From: Austin TX
OP, what are your goals? Keep in mind if you go with an aggressive cam you will need other supporting components(.600 lift or greater and you will need hardened push rods, springs, and a timing chain). Not sure you need heads at this point as the stock heads flow pretty well(again, depends on your power goals).
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 422
Likes: 16
the new heads come with all you need new and perfect except the 3 bolt sprocket and the 3 bolts for it and maybe a new timing chain if you decide on doing it your self, lower sprocket you can reuse in any case always use gm sprockets only.
The cam we have spec out by patrick g for your parts combination and your purpose. Any cam will work but only one is perfect the difference is only $40. Bucks worth every penny.
Buy the heads and cam separately.
What engine do you have?
The cam we have spec out by patrick g for your parts combination and your purpose. Any cam will work but only one is perfect the difference is only $40. Bucks worth every penny.
Buy the heads and cam separately.
What engine do you have?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 422
Likes: 16
OP, what are your goals? Keep in mind if you go with an aggressive cam you will need other supporting components(.600 lift or greater and you will need hardened push rods, springs, and a timing chain). Not sure you need heads at this point as the stock heads flow pretty well(again, depends on your power goals).
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,062
Likes: 602
From: Henderson Nv-Rohnert Park/Sonoma C o. ca/born in NY Rockaway Beach.
I payed a little extra in parts as I wanted everything new and stronger.
Think it was 4 hours install. and 1300 in parts. And had tune done same place as dans too.
So full z06 set up and cam. 420rwhp.
Last edited by ptroxx; Dec 21, 2016 at 06:41 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,492
Likes: 261
From: Miami Florida
I recommend do heads and cam one time done rite and be done I would move away from the ls2 heads in to Trick flow 255cc intake and a very mild cam end up with 470/480 wheel horse power the easy way.
Ls3 intakes are inexpensive, sell your ls2 and the heads.
These other set of heads here are amazing a little more money but worth it, cam for the two heads would be different and should tailor specifically see below link.
https://www.mastmotorsports.com/coll...nt=22800063110
Ls3 intakes are inexpensive, sell your ls2 and the heads.
These other set of heads here are amazing a little more money but worth it, cam for the two heads would be different and should tailor specifically see below link.
https://www.mastmotorsports.com/coll...nt=22800063110
Last edited by xBoostx; Dec 21, 2016 at 09:49 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 590
Likes: 37
From: Austin TX
I recommend do heads and cam one time done rite and be done I would move away from the ls2 heads in to Trick flow 255cc intake and a very mild cam end up with 470/480 wheel horse power the easy way.
Ls3 intakes are inexpensive, sell your ls2 and the heads.
These other set of heads here are amazing a little more money but worth it, cam for the two heads would be different and should tailor specifically see below link.
https://www.mastmotorsports.com/coll...nt=22800063110
Ls3 intakes are inexpensive, sell your ls2 and the heads.
These other set of heads here are amazing a little more money but worth it, cam for the two heads would be different and should tailor specifically see below link.
https://www.mastmotorsports.com/coll...nt=22800063110
I was thinking you had an LS3 so that's why I said what I said earlier. Do it once and do it right and you'll be good. Mild cam(which you can go custom for a similar price), heads and intake.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 108
Likes: 3
From: Frisco TX
If you are only going for 600whp you dont need a bunch of extras. Go with a good mild cam, maybe BTR Stage 1-2 and valve springs you should be fine. You dont necessarily need the rods, bearings, heads, etc. Cam, Springs, Labor, Tune, should put you around $2000-$2500 depending on the shop.
I am running 700whp tuned down without Rods, bearings, etc. Car runs fine and always has. Maxed it at 787whp at 5500, its an 825whp car all day. (granted I quite a laundry list of mods but the cam, headers, exhaust, good tune should get you up there.....add a blower + e85 then your really talkin'!)
I am running 700whp tuned down without Rods, bearings, etc. Car runs fine and always has. Maxed it at 787whp at 5500, its an 825whp car all day. (granted I quite a laundry list of mods but the cam, headers, exhaust, good tune should get you up there.....add a blower + e85 then your really talkin'!)
Last edited by slingct3lt; Dec 22, 2016 at 09:35 AM.