anyone have a how to cam head swap?

**freaky57fast** · 06-07-2013, 06:28 AM

Looking to do cam and heads this summer just wondering if anyone knew of a good how to out there. I hear that you need to drop the engine out that didn't sound right to me. Any help is appreciated.

**bhunter0830** · 06-07-2013, 08:21 AM

No need to drop the motor. Remove the radiator and fans to access the timing cover, but no sense in dropping it out. Look around for the the sticky on it or do a search for cam swap.

**bhunter0830** · 06-07-2013, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by bhunter0830

No need to drop the motor. Remove the radiator and fans to access the timing cover, but no sense in dropping it out. Look around for the the sticky on it or do a search for cam swap.

Sent you a PM

**freaky57fast** · 06-07-2013, 12:54 PM

thank you that's the kind of response you get from a shop that doesn't know f-body cars I thought I was in for a headache

**98TransAmWs-6** · 06-07-2013, 04:56 PM

I did a write up on how to do a cam swap and it is located in the technical stickies in the general help forum.

**Steve83ta** · 06-10-2013, 02:32 AM

The is no need to pull the engine, you will have plenty of room. The only tricky part will be the head bolts, tty bolts and trying to get the correct angle on them. The link I included will help you a lot if this is your first time.
LS1Howto.com

**0rion** · 06-10-2013, 04:56 AM

use ARP bolts and no need to mess with the torque to yeild stuff. The write up at ls1howto.com that steve83ta posted is excellent. It walks you through step by step with pictures. It really makes it so anyone can do it.

**ls1camino** · 06-10-2013, 05:12 AM

Personally, I would drop the motor. It makes everything 10x easier, and the only additional things that need to be disconnected are the alternator, AC, and brakes.

**freaky57fast** · 07-18-2013, 01:22 PM

How much time in labor would it be to drop vs just work in the engine bay? Trying to figure out renting a lift at a friends shop vs just having him help

**0rion** · 07-18-2013, 06:57 PM

if you follow that how to you don't need to drop the engine to do heads cam. If you do it right you won't even have to crack the hvac lines....just swing them out of the way. I wouldn't drop the engine just for heads/cam. Not sure on the hours. I did it over a winter working on it at night after work so I stretched it out. Probably figure the better part of a weekend if you're working on it steady with an assistant. Since it's your first time it'll take a bit longer. Just check, double check, and triple check all your parts going in so you have absolutely everything you'll need right there in front of you before you start. Nothing sucks worse than to have to stop to run to the parts store or what not. You'll need a torque wrench that goes to I *think* 220 ft/lb's for the ARP crank bolt so if you don't have that borrow one from a parts store. A tool to push the balancer on is also nice to have and can be made yourself out of 16mmx2.0 thread stock and some bolts/washers.

**freaky57fast** · 08-06-2013, 06:18 AM

Originally Posted by 0rion

if you follow that how to you don't need to drop the engine to do heads cam. If you do it right you won't even have to crack the hvac lines....just swing them out of the way. I wouldn't drop the engine just for heads/cam. Not sure on the hours. I did it over a winter working on it at night after work so I stretched it out. Probably figure the better part of a weekend if you're working on it steady with an assistant. Since it's your first time it'll take a bit longer. Just check, double check, and triple check all your parts going in so you have absolutely everything you'll need right there in front of you before you start. Nothing sucks worse than to have to stop to run to the parts store or what not. You'll need a torque wrench that goes to I *think* 220 ft/lb's for the ARP crank bolt so if you don't have that borrow one from a parts store. A tool to push the balancer on is also nice to have and can be made yourself out of 16mmx2.0 thread stock and some bolts/washers.

I have a friend helping me with the swap hes a racecar mechanic so I'm sure he has all the tools needed. I'm only wondering if I should do the torque converter first or not. I'm trying to figure what to throw the money at first it's difficult haha. I still need to find the right cam for the car and how I drive plus rods, springs, a timing chain and I wanted to do the intake while I had the top of the engine tore apart save me from doing it later. CARS ARE EXPENSIVE its nuts rather send the cash to mod an lsx over a ford though anyone I talk to says its double the price almost.

**RONS98TA** · 08-06-2013, 06:49 AM

My 1st cam swap prob took me 2 weekends working by my self. I have done 4 of them now and can knock them out in 1 weekend w/o breaking a sweat. I do the double and triple check so it's takes me a bit longer then some other peeps, BUT I prefer the peace of mind at night knowing I did the work correctly the 1st time and nothing is going to break and nothing is incorrectly installed. The standard head bolts will go in w/o dropping the motor. If you want to use studs, I believe you will need to drop the engine, but I haven't done that job before, so i'm not 100% sure.