doing cams, what else should i do?
03-28-2003, 10:33 PM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Kitchener
Posts: 166
doing cams, what else should i do?
Ok i think i am going to do a camswap, i want a cam that will give me decent HP increase (50HP) while my regular driving MPG stay close to stock, so i don't want any crazy cams that increase fuel consuption by alot. I was also wondering what else i should do while the head is off the car? i wont be doing the labour myself cause i would have no idea how to do this stuff!
So what else should i do? should i change my lifters springs valves and so fourth??? how many hours of labour do you guys think my mechanic will charge me (he is very fair)
So what else should i do? should i change my lifters springs valves and so fourth??? how many hours of labour do you guys think my mechanic will charge me (he is very fair)
03-29-2003, 12:20 AM
#3
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 2,148
Besides old valve springs being tired, a new cam will require new springs to match. Roller rockers would be another big +.
I'd also upgrade to the 95 Opti, but it all starts getting expensive. Why do it twice though, 93-94 opti sucks IMO. I had oil and coolant inside of mine, it is nearly impossible to do that on a 95.
I'd also upgrade to the 95 Opti, but it all starts getting expensive. Why do it twice though, 93-94 opti sucks IMO. I had oil and coolant inside of mine, it is nearly impossible to do that on a 95.
03-29-2003, 02:31 AM
#4
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Kitchener
Posts: 166
i have heard of 1.6rr but what are these exactly?? sorry about my newb questions... and yes i am going to upgrade my coils AND my opti to 95+, still gotta make a post and ask how to upgrade to 95+ im not sure what i need.
03-29-2003, 02:34 AM
#5
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 924
1.6 rockers give you more lift, because of their pivot point. Which in return results in more power.
On the LT1's there is only one coil, so you wouldn't have to upgrad your coil's. Not sure if it was a typo.
For a vented opti, order a 95 vented opti. Also when you do the opti install you'll need new waterpump gaskets.
On the LT1's there is only one coil, so you wouldn't have to upgrad your coil's. Not sure if it was a typo.
For a vented opti, order a 95 vented opti. Also when you do the opti install you'll need new waterpump gaskets.
Last edited by Rich_z28; 03-29-2003 at 02:36 AM.
03-29-2003, 02:38 AM
#6
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Kitchener
Posts: 166
no it wasnt a typo... so the OPTI is a distributor???
i always thought our cars had a coil for every cylinder! lol thnx for the info...
you think i should change my waterpump while im at it too?? and which coil is the best?
i always thought our cars had a coil for every cylinder! lol thnx for the info...
you think i should change my waterpump while im at it too?? and which coil is the best?
03-29-2003, 02:42 AM
#7
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 924
Nope, the optispark on our cars is the distributor. The LS1 motors are the ones that have a coil for each cylinder (wish ours did). No you won't have to change your waterpump, but you will have to remove it for the opti change. Depending on the mileage of your car and while you have it off you may just want to change it. My waterpump went out at about 40000, to give you an estimate on mileage. As far as the best brand for a coil, someone else will have to chime in.
03-29-2003, 03:30 AM
#8
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Orange Kounty, Kalifornia
Posts: 2,277
MSD seems to be a popular coil. I went with the Jacobs Electronics coil... plenty of power! But if your coil isn't sputtering, it may not be needed. Just get fresh plugs. Wires are a plus but I couldn't weave the 8.5mm wires around the passenger mounting bracket so I bought 10 feet of black plastic wire cover (conduit) and wrapped the wires so they would brush against metal. Never let the wires touch metal!!!
You can swap the cam by removing the fuel rail, intake manifold, water pump, opti, and radiator... well, that's right, you said someone else will do it. Long story short, if you have it all apart, you might as well get a light port/polish with your heads.
I'll go to Phil at Advanced Induction for my head port/polish.
I live in Cali so I need a moderate cam to pass smog. The LT4 Hot Cam Kit has the 1.6 roller rockers and the goodies you need to get running and a very good price. Since you were looking for a mild/moderate cam... that may be your ideal choice.
Get some tuning with your computer when you are done... I went with Bryan at www.pcmforless.com. I think he knows me very well now because I bug him at least once a week for some stupid question. He has great customer service. A dyno tune would be desirable for an extreme set-up and tune. But with your set up, he's got plenty of LT4 Hot Cam set ups.
You can swap the cam by removing the fuel rail, intake manifold, water pump, opti, and radiator... well, that's right, you said someone else will do it. Long story short, if you have it all apart, you might as well get a light port/polish with your heads.
I'll go to Phil at Advanced Induction for my head port/polish.
I live in Cali so I need a moderate cam to pass smog. The LT4 Hot Cam Kit has the 1.6 roller rockers and the goodies you need to get running and a very good price. Since you were looking for a mild/moderate cam... that may be your ideal choice.
Get some tuning with your computer when you are done... I went with Bryan at www.pcmforless.com. I think he knows me very well now because I bug him at least once a week for some stupid question. He has great customer service. A dyno tune would be desirable for an extreme set-up and tune. But with your set up, he's got plenty of LT4 Hot Cam set ups.
03-29-2003, 07:39 AM
#9
Moderator
Join Date: Dec 1969
Location: Buffalo, New York
Posts: 10,745
You aren't going to get 50hp just from a cam change. Especially with stock heads and exahust system.
1. You will need new springs, as the stockers aren't good for much more lift than the stock cam.
2. Roller rockers are an excellent idea.
3. Unless they have been damaged, the OEM lifters are fine to re-use.
4. If your car has significant miles on it since the last rebuild (or since new), a valve job should be done anytine the head is off.
5. It's a pretty pricey job from a shop. As to how many hours, the best person to ask is the one doing the work. 10-15 hours (for just head removal, cam install, installing springs and reinstallation) seems ball park to me. Don't forget the cost of gaskets, fluids, etc. These add up fast.
6. The computer will need reprogramming, at the very least the rev limiter needs to be raised to get an advantage from the cam.
7. Plugs and wires are much easier to do when things are apart. If not replaced recently now is a good time.
You don't specify your setup, but I wouldn't do a cam without first doing the relatively easy, inexpensive mods like CAI, headers, gears, cat back, etc.
Rich Krause
1. You will need new springs, as the stockers aren't good for much more lift than the stock cam.
2. Roller rockers are an excellent idea.
3. Unless they have been damaged, the OEM lifters are fine to re-use.
4. If your car has significant miles on it since the last rebuild (or since new), a valve job should be done anytine the head is off.
5. It's a pretty pricey job from a shop. As to how many hours, the best person to ask is the one doing the work. 10-15 hours (for just head removal, cam install, installing springs and reinstallation) seems ball park to me. Don't forget the cost of gaskets, fluids, etc. These add up fast.
6. The computer will need reprogramming, at the very least the rev limiter needs to be raised to get an advantage from the cam.
7. Plugs and wires are much easier to do when things are apart. If not replaced recently now is a good time.
You don't specify your setup, but I wouldn't do a cam without first doing the relatively easy, inexpensive mods like CAI, headers, gears, cat back, etc.
Rich Krause
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post