Is it possible? how long would it take, how hard would it be and does anyone have a link to a "how to?"

 

Yes it can be done in the car. Swapping valve springs and doing the cam would be around 10-12 hrs. Do a search and I'm sure you'll find what you need.

 

bookmark this entire site. http://shbox.com/1/4th_gen_tech1.html

Cam removal
http://shbox.com/ci/cam_removal.html

Cam install
http://shbox.com/ci/cam_install.html

 

Its hard to put an accurate time on it. Some people get it done in a day or less, others it can take a week or longer. It's nothing to rush and you want to make sure you keep the install as clean as possible to avoid any issues down the road.

 

I found this write-up very helpful:
http://www.afrashteh.com/guide/install.htm

 

I took my time and including delays for parts you forget or those little surprises along
the way, it took me two weeks. And that's with a few goof off days. The thing that
amazed me the most is how close the cam was to hitting the front sheet metal. I'll bet
there was not more than 1/8" to spare. Just lucky that it comes out because I
doubt GM planned it that way.

 

I had mine on jackstands for about a month when I did my camswap, working a little now and then. Mostly weekends, when not hungover.. Was easier then I thought and after doing this once I am almost sure I can do it in a Weekend.

 

ok next question, which cam is worth the install, on stock heads daily driver.

and i dont mind thumpin cams

i was thinking cc503 but what springs would i want to run with that? and of course 1.6 rr's

 

There are many threads on cam swaps.
This should have all you need.

http://www.ls1lt1.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15187

 

I would recommend that cam. If you can afford some PAC beehive springs, get those, otherwise get the Crane 10308-1 kit.

 

The Crane 10308-1 spring kit contains:

99893-16 Valve Springs (130# @ 1.85"; 391#/in rate; CB @ 1.08")
99951-16 Retainers (+.100" height comparison)
99097-1 Locks
99050-1 Shims (.015" thick) [.015 x 1.48 x .703]

Comp 4784-16 Spring Seats [.060 x 1.50 x .570; .735 spring ID] would be much
better than the crappy shims in the 10308 kit.

Although I have never installed the 99893 springs, they are listed as a 1.85"
recommended installed height. If you assume the this is the installed height with
the POS shims in the kit then you will end up with a 1.805" installed height when
you use .060" spring seats.

I actually prefer the Crane 96872 springs because they have a lower spring rate
of 326#/in. You don't need 380# open pressure with a 22x/23x cam. All that
pressure is just going to wear stuff out sooner. At the same open point the 96872
springs will have a pressure of 340#. The closed rates are about the same. Here
is the parts list for the 96872 springs:

Crane 96872-16 Springs (131# @ 1.85"; 326#/in rate; CB @ 1.10")
Crane 99943-16 Retainers (+.100" height comparison)
Crane 99097-1 Locks
Comp 4770-16 Spring Seats [.060 x 1.50 x .585; .690 spring ID]

Regardless of the springs you choose don't use the Crane shims. Use a spring seat
like the Comps.

>>The HEIGHT COMPARISON is a measurement value used to compare the installed height
between Crane Cams retainers. (It is not a comparison to a factory or any other
manufacturer’s retainer.) Our starting point is part no. 99914 with the height value
of (.000). All other Crane Cams retainers are either the same, taller (+) or shorter
(-) in installed height.<<