2001 Camaro SS M6 - All stock motor, want to do only a cam swap (got new 2002 Z06 stock cam) and want to know the follwoing:

How many hours should it take with help from a mechanic at work and having all the tools here at the dealership??

Is it somethign I can tackle at home?

Thats about it...

 

Generation specific tech questions should be asked on the appropriate forum. In this case, LS1 Tech. There are numerous people there who have swapped cams themselves, or paid to have it done. I don't think we have many LS1 owners at all here on Advanced Tech.

Moving to LS1 Tech......

 

A camshaft swap in an LS1 is pretty easy compared to other engines. With your new cam, be sure that you swap in a set of '02 LS6 valve springs. Your stock LS1 valve springs aren't worth a flip, and they'll snap pretty quick with lift approaching .550" from the '02 LS6 cam.

Camshaft installation time varies according to how skilled the installer is. It can take 3 or 4 hours by someone that is well-versed in the LS1, and it can take a few days if it's your first time. It's something that you can certainly tackle in your garage, but air tools will help to make it go much quicker. We have a lot of customers that do their own cam installs.

Let us know if we can help.

Thanks!

Trevor
Texas Speed & Performance

 

Thanks Trevor! I have done a few heads and cam swap on some 94-95 Mustang GT's... Those are not hard at all. I would assume that an LS1 would be a similar procedure, even tho it is not a similar engine... Still apushrod motor, right?

Someone said that once you have the timing cover off all you have to do is turn the cam 4 or 5 times and all the lifters will "click" up into place... is that true ???

Steve

 

Yes, the LS1 is still a pushrod engine. Once the pushrods are out and you have the cam retaining plate off, rotate the cam a few times to push the lifters up. They will normally stay up due to friction to allow you to slide the camshaft in. Knock on wood, we've yet to have one drop a lifter on us, and we've done a LOT of cam swaps! You'll just push them back down onto the cam lobes when you re-install the pushrods. I normally hold my breath when swapping cams on my car from the time I pull the cam out until I slide the new one in.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Trevor

 

Excellent Trevor! You have been a big help! I am currently working with Mr. Gasket on beefing up my driveline components, however I will more than likely do the camshaft swap myself. I will probably make it a weekend project so I can take my time, and NOT do the head work quite yet (due to lack of fundage of course). I think, since my best ET was 13.05 on street tires with teh car stock with exhasut, that my drag radials, Z06 camshaft, and new clutch from Gasket will put me well into the mid 12 second range, probably 12.50-12.70 I am guessing...

 

Sorry to but in, but I was wondering if on this pacific cam swap do you have to change the pushrods forr a different lenth?

 

Good question... Can I use my stock pushrods (Even tho they suck) and also.. with the higher lift, will I need TALL valve covers or will the crappy stock shortys do okay??

 

I'm asking.....do u have to pull the motor just for a cam swap?
Me and some friend's just pulled a 350 outta 69 camaro and did a cam swap but we also rebuilt the whole motor too.

 

You have to remove the radiator and airbox components. Then you have enough room to disassemble the front of the engine and get the cam out.

 

The reason I ask about the push rods is on Scoggin Dickey Parts Center, they make reference to the cam having a smaller base circle and requiring longer push rods. I would like to no myself.

 

Okay, so I might need pushrods then too?? Also, really the only gasket you will need is the timing gover gasket, valve cover gasket, possibly intake too... correct?? While I am down tehre I am getting some better wires and some kinda plug, maybe a splitfire or something... I wnat to do cam, plugs, wires all at the same time... might even do the heads i dotn know...

 

Is it a good idea to replace the stock springs when doin a cam swap or does it depend on the lift of the new cam. If I'm going to do a swap I don't want any stock parts breaking at a later time.

 

Yes, it is... they say taht stock LS1 springs will snap even with just a stock Z06 (LS6) camshafty which is what i have... I have LS6 springs waiting for it...