Adding a cam
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 422
Likes: 16
Adding a cam
I am thinking about doing a cam soon on my LS2. It has just under 7k miles and I have 1 3/4 long tube headers, high flow cats, x-pipe, corsa, rear exhaust, CAI, plugs, and wires.
I was looking at going with something like the BTR stage 3 kit, pushrods, and new timing chain, front engine gasket, and an ARP harmonic balancer bolt.
Aside from that is there anything else I need?
How long did it take to do your cam swap?
What can I expect to pay for a tune?
I was looking at going with something like the BTR stage 3 kit, pushrods, and new timing chain, front engine gasket, and an ARP harmonic balancer bolt.
Aside from that is there anything else I need?
How long did it take to do your cam swap?
What can I expect to pay for a tune?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 317
Likes: 42
From: HOMESTEAD FLORIDA
I am thinking about doing a cam soon on my LS2. It has just under 7k miles and I have 1 3/4 long tube headers, high flow cats, x-pipe, corsa, rear exhaust, CAI, plugs, and wires.
I was looking at going with something like the BTR stage 3 kit, pushrods, and new timing chain, front engine gasket, and an ARP harmonic balancer bolt.
Aside from that is there anything else I need?
How long did it take to do your cam swap?
What can I expect to pay for a tune?
I was looking at going with something like the BTR stage 3 kit, pushrods, and new timing chain, front engine gasket, and an ARP harmonic balancer bolt.
Aside from that is there anything else I need?
How long did it take to do your cam swap?
What can I expect to pay for a tune?
Tune prices vary from place to place and from region to region but these seem to be a good ball park, again based on my current research;
Mail tune; start at $150 to $300
Street Tune; start at $300 to $500
Dyno Tune; start at $400 to $600
They all have pros and cons and there are tons of different opinions on which tune is better. Depending on mods, some are definitely more recommended than others. For your mods you should get the street or a dyno. Good luck with the project.
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
If you're doing it yourself, that will depend on your experience/expertise and selection of tools. I did mine in a few days, at my leisure (not full time), with a friend (thanks Ryan). I'm just a weekend warrior.
Hardest part is the steering rack and that darn radiator.
Just make sure you have the right specialty tools. They will pay for themselves in labor savings.
Hardest part is the steering rack and that darn radiator.
Just make sure you have the right specialty tools. They will pay for themselves in labor savings.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,684
Likes: 107
From: Opelika Alabama
PM me your email, I have a cam swap in pics and text in a C6 it is extremely doable if your mechanically inclined, take your time and it should go well, cheap insurance swap the oil pump for a Melling M295 standard pressure and volume my pressure went up 5 psi all around
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,418
Likes: 267
From: Pontiac Quebec
if you are getting a cam that requires a more spring, it will take a little more know-how and tools.
Flywheel lock tool
Spring compressor tool
pulley removal tool
you can save the removal of the entire rack. remove the right inner tie-rod and move that rack to the driver side and then up. no need to disconnect any lines that way.
should be good in a day or so, maybe a weekend if it's your first one
pulley installer tool
Flywheel lock tool
Spring compressor tool
pulley removal tool
you can save the removal of the entire rack. remove the right inner tie-rod and move that rack to the driver side and then up. no need to disconnect any lines that way.
should be good in a day or so, maybe a weekend if it's your first one
pulley installer tool
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 142
Likes: 29
From: Fayetteville TN
I did mine in 2.5 days after work, i paid $450 for a dyno tune local. Only tools i bought was a proform spring compressor. I borrowed the spark plug air line tool and a pulley puller. It was my first time in a automotive engine just take your time. Also now would be a good time to replace the OEM pulley if it hasn't got the wobble yet. Parts wise i got all Delco front cover gasket, water pump gasket and o-ring around pulley
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Ontario California
Although I'm an LS3 (M6), i went from 413 from headers only(no tune) to 470/435 on cam and headers only (supporting valve train ofcourse). getting a complete port job +intake and e85 conversion by next week hopefully.
i spent 800ish on cam kit/gaskets + 150 for trunion kit + 1000 for install + 600 for tuning.
just an advice ask around to make sure that the pushrods fit your cam.. i did a mistake with the pushrods thankfully my garage had spare rods that fits.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...6-or-28-a.html
dyno sheet. although irrelevant topic but the graph is there.
i spent 800ish on cam kit/gaskets + 150 for trunion kit + 1000 for install + 600 for tuning.
just an advice ask around to make sure that the pushrods fit your cam.. i did a mistake with the pushrods thankfully my garage had spare rods that fits.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...6-or-28-a.html
dyno sheet. although irrelevant topic but the graph is there.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 315
From: Bridgewater New Jersey
I am thinking about doing a cam soon on my LS2. It has just under 7k miles and I have 1 3/4 long tube headers, high flow cats, x-pipe, corsa, rear exhaust, CAI, plugs, and wires.
I was looking at going with something like the BTR stage 3 kit, pushrods, and new timing chain, front engine gasket, and an ARP harmonic balancer bolt.
Aside from that is there anything else I need?
How long did it take to do your cam swap?
What can I expect to pay for a tune?
I was looking at going with something like the BTR stage 3 kit, pushrods, and new timing chain, front engine gasket, and an ARP harmonic balancer bolt.
Aside from that is there anything else I need?
How long did it take to do your cam swap?
What can I expect to pay for a tune?