If im planning on replacing both of these this summer, how much more work would it be to slap a cam in there? My waterpump has 125k on it and my opti has AT LEAST 45k and could possibly have 125k on it. I simply dont know if the opti was replaced before I bought the car at 80k miles. Ive had a slightl misfire problem and I will try to trace it down further before replacing the opti in case its not necessary, however I think it is. I figure if I have the water pump and opti both off then it shouldnt be TOO much more work to take off the timing cover and put a cam in and a new timing chain.

 

Remove the intake, lifters then pull the radiator, fans, and the a/c "radiator" condenser?...I think that is what it is called. Sorry, brain fart. Then slide her in. I left out a few details, but that is the major stuff.

 

It is a bit more involved, but you will have some of the major things taken off already. Here is an idea of what you would be up against:http://shbox.com/ci/cam_removal.html

 

Hmmm, looks pretty involved, although nothing looks THAT difficult, just lots of removal of stuff. That hardest part look like it would be the valve spring install and setting the lash for the rockers. Im going to the putting some headers on also this summer and IF I decide to do this, that would probably be a good time to put the headers on, with all kinds of stuff removed there would probably be a little more room to maneuver.