head/cam question

**lsmaxxed** · 01-03-2012, 03:36 PM

How much will it cost for top of the line head/cam install for parts labor complete install cost me, looking for big duration very lopy cam sound not woried about driveability, not a dd. And the closest place around champaign illinois to do all of this

**cancam99ss** · 01-03-2012, 04:29 PM

Im paying a little over 2k
With parts and tune

**0rion** · 01-03-2012, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by cancam99ss

Im paying a little over 2k
With parts and tune

for heads, cam, and install????? That's definitely not the norm. A set of heads alone will cost you $2k+. It really depends on where you have the work done on the install costs. I bought budget heads and cam set up and I was out $2300 in just parts. Top of the line heads will be $2000-2500 by themselves then factor in probably another $600 or so for a cam kit. After that it just depends on what labor you get charged. I would guess you're looking at $5-6000ish for all of it installed. That's a guess.

**scott5** · 01-03-2012, 05:00 PM

Call Tony Mamo and you will be good to go.

**lsmaxxed** · 01-03-2012, 05:25 PM

who is tony mamo, and where is he located?

**scott5** · 01-03-2012, 05:29 PM

He is from AFR.. Do a quick google search of him and you will see how many people are satisfied with his work and the reputation he has.

**lsmaxxed** · 01-03-2012, 06:04 PM

There in new york, how hard will this be to do myself, easier to pull the motor?

**35th-ANV-SS** · 01-03-2012, 06:45 PM

FLP and Speed Inc are in IL...Speed Inc being pretty reputable.

**0rion** · 01-03-2012, 06:47 PM

no.....you can do it with it all in the car. How mechanically inclined are you? LS1howto.com has a step by step write up on doing the swap. Pretty easy really.....just time consuming. Save you a couple thousand dollars though.

LS1Howto.com

**lsmaxxed** · 01-04-2012, 05:10 PM

i might do this myself, how do i pick a cam liking the videos on youtube of trex cams. Very lopy sound, how do i know what the difference in durations mean? Thanks

**TA98** · 01-04-2012, 06:11 PM

dont forget a tune. Big cams need good tunes.

**cancam99ss** · 01-04-2012, 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by 0rion

for heads, cam, and install????? That's definitely not the norm. A set of heads alone will cost you $2k+. It really depends on where you have the work done on the install costs. I bought budget heads and cam set up and I was out $2300 in just parts. Top of the line heads will be $2000-2500 by themselves then factor in probably another $600 or so for a cam kit. After that it just depends on what labor you get charged. I would guess you're looking at $5-6000ish for all of it installed. That's a guess.

I actually just sent a set of 243 heads to get done at lingenfelter, got a ms3 cam
Lunati springs and custom pushrods and of course ls7 maf and ls7 lifters! 42lbs injectors and tune

**00redta88** · 01-05-2012, 01:16 AM

Hey man, Im in champaign urbana. I would do a little research on a cam like the "t rex" that cam is going to be a DOG under 3500-4k. you need at least a 4.10 gear AT LEAST IMO. that cam needs a good tune if you want to avoid surging,bucking etc. with a proper tune i think it could have decent street manners I know a guy that daily drives his in the summer and loves it so to each his own. Not dogging big cams at all just saying make sure you know what your getting into. imo i would go with something with less duration for the street lol

**00redta88** · 01-05-2012, 01:24 AM

there are some dyno graphs on ls1tech i believe of some t rex cam only cars. take a look and see where the power comes on with that cam and it will pull to 7k plus. I wouldnt want to spin my stock bottom end that high at all to get all the potential outta my cam. Just saying. good luck with your cam choice. if your drag racing the car go for it but for street fun a big cam is not a budget way of going fast imo. m6 or auto?

**0rion** · 01-05-2012, 03:51 AM

you need to define your needs out of the car and then start narrowing the list down from there. Are you just gonna cruise around in the car and want it to sound fast or are you gonna take it to the strip and you want it to be fast? You can get a 224 or 228 cam on a 112 lsa that will have some chop to it and it'll drive great on the street. I personally would go a little bigger than the 228 if I had it to do over again but I wouldn't get into that trex range. I would do a 233/239 or something like that. That being said though I've been pretty happy with my 228.

**0rion** · 01-05-2012, 03:53 AM

also, what mods do you currently have and is the car a stick or auto?

**cancam99ss** · 01-05-2012, 04:21 AM

Originally Posted by cancam99ss

I actually just sent a set of 243 heads to get done at lingenfelter, got a ms3 cam
Lunati springs and custom pushrods and of course ls7 maf and ls7 lifters! 42lbs injectors and tune

Forgot 410s

**BrntWS6** · 01-05-2012, 08:36 AM

FLP is a good shop but they are VERY expensive. Straightline Performance in New Lenox is who I use for tuning and had them put my clutch in. I've never done anything remotely close to H/C and did the install myself in my garage with basic tools. With the help of LS1howto and guys on the forums it wasn't all bad, just wouldn't want to do it again anytime soon. With budget heads/cam and all the supporting mods like oil pump, TC, UD pulley, lifters, injectors and a tune I'm probably out $3000 - $3500. I'd probably guess an extra $1000 for install and another $1000 for premium heads.

**scott5** · 01-05-2012, 02:23 PM

I would NOT do a t-rex cam unless you plan on racing it and anything less than a 4.30 gear will be a pain to drive on street.. Believe me, been there done that

Also what is your budget? unlimited? tight? (3500 max) marginal (3500 to 5k?)

**scott5** · 01-05-2012, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by 0rion

you need to define your needs out of the car and then start narrowing the list down from there. Are you just gonna cruise around in the car and want it to sound fast or are you gonna take it to the strip and you want it to be fast?

answer this