Convince me to put a cam in...

Jazsun · 02-16-2008, 11:49 PM

This summer I plan to replace both headgaskets and while I'm there I'm going to put headers on + 1.6RR's (been sitting in my room for a while). I've been having a small on/off oil seepage from the bottom of my timing cover as well. I was thinking since everything will be apart anyways would it be worth putting a cam in? Nothing major since its a DD I'm thinking Lt4 hotcam. Is this really something I would be able to do with out messing up? Is it really that much more work?

Also I had already bought LT4 springs/retainers/locks because I planned on putting the 1.6 RR's on w/ a stock cam. Now I understand the LT4 springs are borderline too weak for the LT4 hotcam, if I bought better springs would I still be able to re-use the LT4 retainers/locks or do I need stronger everything? I assume I'd need hardened pushrods too?

LSWHO · 02-16-2008, 11:51 PM

If you are doing all that you only have a few more steps for a cam. DO IT

Jazsun · 02-16-2008, 11:56 PM

Ya I read through shoebox's instructions again...it's the whole thing about "degreeing" the cam and all that that I hear people talk about which I dont know is necessary or not. I also hear you have to be very clean otherwise you can spin a bearing soon after...I have never touched a cam before in my life but done almost everything else including dropped my trans 7 times..yes 7..it was hell.

LSWHO · 02-16-2008, 11:58 PM

I did my first cam swap on my car all by myself in 8 hours. It was on a gtp. Definitely worth it.

Jazsun · 02-17-2008, 12:01 AM

Saying that you did it on a GTP doesnt really make me feel a whole lot better, considering everything on the LT1 is a PITA to work on. Have you done an LT1 swamp?

2000GTP · 02-17-2008, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazsun

Saying that you did it on a GTP doesnt really make me feel a whole lot better, considering everything on the LT1 is a PITA to work on. Have you done an LT1 swamp?

I don't know, a cam swap on a transverse(FWD) mounted engine isn't exactly a very easy task either. Do a search, I know there are some good cam writeups floating around. How fast you get it done is more so dependent on your skill level.

LSWHO · 02-17-2008, 12:07 AM

No, I haven't. I was telling you that I did my first cam swap by myself in 8 hours with only email directions so being afraid of screwing it up should not be what's holding you back. But, if you think it's going to be that big of a pain, then don't do it. I personally am opting for nitrous on the LT1 instead of a cam... for now at least. I had nitrous on the GTP then went with the cam afterwards.

LSWHO · 02-17-2008, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2000GTP

I don't know, a cam swap on a transverse(FWD) mounted engine isn't exactly a very easy task either

Tell me about it. I had to basically undo the whole undercarriage. For a dude who's major mods up until then was rockers, I can tell you it was quite scary. Looking back, I could bust it out in even less time. Probably 4-5 hours easy.

2000GTP · 02-17-2008, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSWHO

Tell me about it. I had to basically undo the whole undercarriage. For a dude who's major mods up until then was rockers, I can tell you it was quite scary. Looking back, I could bust it out in even less time. Probably 4-5 hours easy.

Yeah, I'd much rather do a cam swap on my LT1 then on my GTP. But ideally, I wish I could afford to pay some other poor smuck to do it for me.

LSWHO · 02-17-2008, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2000GTP

Yeah, I'd much rather do a cam swap on my LT1 then on my GTP.

Do you hear that OP?!

Jazsun · 02-17-2008, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSWHO

Do you hear that OP?!

haha ok I forgot about the transverse v6 my bad. I don't care about it taking a while, I'll be taking 2 weeks to get everything done anyways I don't want to rush and **** something up like usuall. It just seems like there are a lot of horror storys out there about cam swamps thats all.

Would you put a cam in given what I will be taking apart?

LSWHO · 02-17-2008, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSWHO

If you are doing all that you only have a few more steps for a cam. DO IT.

Do it.

2000GTP · 02-17-2008, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazsun

haha ok I forgot about the transverse v6 my bad. I don't care about it taking a while, I'll be taking 2 weeks to get everything done anyways I don't want to rush and **** something up like usuall. It just seems like there are a lot of horror storys out there about cam swamps thats all.

Would you put a cam in given what I will be taking apart?

Lets put it this way, I plan on changing my opti soon. Since I am changing my opti, I plan on doing the water pump. Since I am doing the water pump, I might as well do the heads and cam as well.

30AnniversaryZ28 · 02-17-2008, 12:18 AM

Here, this should be more that enough convincing. lt4 hotcam, thru pacesetter longtubes, ORY, and magnaflow.

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/1...e2012adcac.htm

LSWHO · 02-17-2008, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazsun

haha ok I forgot about the transverse v6

Yeah, I had to pull the cam out through the wheel well!