Need serious speedwork advice

**beanie** · 01-27-2006, 12:32 PM

I was going to bolt on longtubes (and ORY) and install a cam until my mechanic told me that the labor to install these two are like 20-25 hours. At 75 bucks an hour, that is a lot of money per horse. He stated that a suoercharger is almost triple the power for only 2x the cost. Is this what everyone else has experienced, or is this guy hosing me? I am in south Florida and really wanted the Lt's/cam, but want bang for the buck! Please help.

**MikeSomething** · 01-27-2006, 02:27 PM

When I got my car, I ran to my mechanic and asked him about a Stall Converter, Headers, Cams, and even Gears. He told me it was 13hours for a Cam job ($975.00) and each other thing is about over a $1000.00. I'm stickin to easy bolt-on stuff right now.

quicky06 · 01-27-2006, 02:51 PM

do your self a favor and shop around a bit. headers you can do on your own all you need is a grinder or a dremel(take alot of time) with a sanding pad. and some wrenches. the hard part is getting the exausht behind it put togeather.

**Capster78** · 01-27-2006, 04:42 PM

This guy sounds like a moron. It does not take 22 hours to do exhaust and headers. At the most it should take 6-7 hours. I was able to do myne on my old car in about 6 hours with hand tools in a driveway. He has a lift and air tools, it should not take that long. You would want longtubes anyhow if you think about running a supercharger.

**beanie** · 01-30-2006, 06:57 PM

that is exactly what i was thinking (lt's w/ a charger).........Anyone know what type of labor is involved w/ installing a cam?

**Hodgesz28** · 01-30-2006, 08:58 PM

All I got to say is LS1HowTo.com, print it out and do EVERYTHING yourself!!!!! Basic tools is all you need! And some free time!

Network · 01-30-2006, 10:48 PM

Thanks for the site, looks like it has some good info on there.

**Transam388** · 01-31-2006, 08:30 AM

The mechanic is a theif!!! Like everyone else has said it does not take 22 -24 hours to do headers and exhaust. I will say that you should expect a few rough times here and there but you can do your headers and exhaust normally in 6 to 8 hours but definately over a weekend no problem. Depending on what supercharger you are looking at though time will vary. I would just promote you doing this yourself and ask someone who is familiar with F-bodies to help you. The cam can be done in what I would not say is easy but a weekend mech can handle it. Like I mentioned, if someone tells you it takes 6 hours make it 8. Good luck!

**Jim Perdue** · 01-31-2006, 10:28 AM

Mithell's labor manual calls for 13.2 Hrs to change a cam in a 2000 f-body w/traction control & 6.9 Hrs to change the Ex. manifolds and crossover pipe.

**MikeSomething** · 02-11-2006, 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by Jim Perdue

Mithell's labor manual calls for 13.2 Hrs to change a cam in a 2000 f-body w/traction control & 6.9 Hrs to change the Ex. manifolds and crossover pipe.

That's what I said above. 13hrs for the cam job = $975.00. That's alotta freakin money to me especially after you buy the camshaft and pushrods...

**nhraformula** · 02-11-2006, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by Jim Perdue

Mithell's labor manual calls for 13.2 Hrs to change a cam in a 2000 f-body w/traction control & 6.9 Hrs to change the Ex. manifolds and crossover pipe.

a half decent ls1 tuner can have everything done in 8 hours.

**Jim Perdue** · 02-11-2006, 04:17 PM

Well if thats all you do you might (but I doubt it) get it done in 8Hrs. But the average shop is going to charge you what a labor guide calls for. Just because he can do it faster doesn't mean he will only charge you 8hrs too.

**SeVeReDiStOrTiOn** · 02-11-2006, 06:45 PM

There's actually 2 pretty good cam install write-ups on ls1howto...http://ls1howto.com/index.php?article=23 and
http://ls1howto.com/index.php?article=2

You'll need to buy a few tools like a pulley puller but it's a lot cheaper then $1000 labor...and you can always have a tow truck on stand-by just in case

**beanie** · 02-17-2006, 05:47 PM

Thanks for the advice - I decided not to go w/ the cam and just do the Lt's and ORY for now. I asked around and found another local guy (who is highly recommended) who said 6-8 hrs for job. So, I guess he is more in line. I just hope all goes well - I hear lots about throwing codes, etc w/ Lt's.