Cam swap and main seal ?

**robcas47** · 07-10-2010, 10:16 AM

So I think the main seal up front is leaking, wanting to get that fixed and I'm wondering if it's something that can be done along with a cam swap. Also wondering what a cam swap typically costs as far as labor. I'm stationed on the border of KY/TN so if anyone knows of a reputable shop please let me know. Gonna start saving up to get this done, any thoughts?

**silver35thss** · 07-10-2010, 01:08 PM

ya you can def do the main front seal when you do the cam swap, the seal is actually inside the timing cover when you take it off.. .just knock it out and press the new one in.. i would do the cam swap when you do this...as far as labor i dont know.. the cam swap actually is not very hard to do.. just takes some time. you could do it with some general knowledge and a few special tools. hope you find someone good to do it and cheap if you choose that route.. good luck

**00ls-1** · 07-10-2010, 01:12 PM

my understanding you can put a dowel rod or something like that in to hold the lifters up theres 2 holes start the dowel rod and turn the motor while puting the rod in pull the cam out and put the new one in basically not too hard im soon to do one myself

**silver35thss** · 07-10-2010, 02:11 PM

yah thats how i did it. i went to ace hardware, got two 24 inch long 5/16 inch in diameter wooden dowels. take the cam plate off and stick the two dowels in the holes after you spin the cam about three times clockwise and counter clockwise.. this will get the lifters up in there retainers and then you can stick the dowels all the way in and this will be your safety measure for the lifters not falling back down.. very simple.. then pull the cam out and put the new one in after cleaning it good.. my new one was filthy.,, put some motor oil all over the new one and slide it in, pull the dowels out and put the cam plate back on. if you go to a big cam you are going to need double springs , hardened pushrods, tit. retainers and new oil pump and new timing chain.. you can get all this in a kit from texas speed with the cam for around 1000. its ag good deal

**00ls-1** · 07-10-2010, 02:33 PM

would a 232 234 .595 .598 112 need all that or just put the cam in?

**Speed_kills_WS6** · 07-10-2010, 03:05 PM

You need springs rated for that lift and correct pushrods.

**00ls-1** · 07-10-2010, 03:14 PM

kinda thought so bout the springs but wasnt sure on the pushrods thank you

**BlackSS1** · 07-11-2010, 05:23 AM

Originally Posted by robcas47

So I think the main seal up front is leaking, wanting to get that fixed and I'm wondering if it's something that can be done along with a cam swap. Also wondering what a cam swap typically costs as far as labor. I'm staioned on the border of KY/TN so if anyone knows of a reputable shop please let me know. Gonna start saving up to get this done, any thoughts?

Last time I looked it was around $700--$800 at a good local speed shop. That assumes you buy all the parts, fluids. With a tune expect to spend $2K - $2.5 for everything.

You can definately do this yourself if you have some basic mechanical ability with tools. The front main seal is a typical part of the swap and will be included in cam swap gasket kits. You should also do a new oil pump (ported) and a new LS2 timing chain while you have it torn all apart.

Check out the step by step at www.ls1howto.com. I used it and did the entire swap for $1500 tuned.

**silver35thss** · 07-11-2010, 06:56 AM

X 2 here. Not to bad at all.

**robcas47** · 07-11-2010, 09:56 AM

Thanks all, I'm actually looking for an ASA cam, maybe even 224, 228, or even might settle for a Hot Cam. Something sort of mild since the TA is my DD and the plan is to replace springs, chain, and possibly switch to roller rockers. I know most say roller rockers are a waste but I figure since the car justed rolled 100K I should upgrade as much as possible. I plan on having this car for a very long time. You guys really make a cam swap sound easy and especially the seal replacement, if I knew replacing the seal was so easy to do I would have knocked it out before I left home.

**00ls-1** · 07-11-2010, 10:06 AM

i was told the hot cam makes almost no difference from a guy at gm he said theyre so little of an upgrade you really dont even have to tune it and if youre spending the money just get a real cam

**robcas47** · 07-11-2010, 10:23 AM

I've checked the specs on a stock 01 LS1 cam vs. the specs of the Hot Cam. There will obviously be a difference, you'll definitely hear the difference since the Hot Cam has an LSA of 112 and I think the stocker is like 116+. The Hot Cam was the smallest I listed and I'm sure I could get away with no tune for a lil while after the install. But I've already got a nice tune and a few bolt ons and would rather get it all done at the same time.