Cam Install

[obrien2]

I was just wondering if anyone here has done a cam install on an LS1?

[Sneakin Deacon]

not an LS1, but LT1's and other small blocks which are pretty much the same, what ya wanna know?

[obrien2]

I am more or less looking to get as much info as possible so I can do it.

[HybridSS]

Are you mechanically inclined? Atleast a little bit? If you are you can do it. But if you are not...mistakes become quite costly.


I have done a bunch...you just need slightly above avg mechanical skill. Not too bad.

[obrien2]

I am mechanically inclined, but more so with boats than cars. I think I am able to do the work, I quess I am just after some tips and any special tools I may need.

[Guado]

http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=23&PHPSESSID=e3cf50f3ac014a2076a7ac5f8168f64a

I printed that out when i did mine.

[obrien2]

Thanks for the help guys. It really doesn't look to bad at all. I will need to get a couple of tools though. Does anyone recomend changhing the oil pump too? Is it really worth while or no?

[HybridSS]

not on your car. Yours should be fine.

[obrien2]

Why do they recomend on some cars to change to a ported pump?

[Gunslinger09]

Originally posted by obrien2
Why do they recomend on some cars to change to a ported pump?

On the 98 and 99 cars the pressure relief valves would hang open for no apperent reason sometimes. The 2000 and up cars have a higher flow pump that this problem was corrected on. This pump is common now for all Ls1 based motors to include the Ls6.

[obrien2]

Thanks for the help guys. It was def. helpful to see the write up ls1info. Now I just have to collect the special tools that I will need and start getting the parts.

[obrien2]

does anyone know where I can get a spring compressor, that will fit on the back springs, for a decent price? What did you guys use for holding the lifters in place when you did the cam swap? The spring compressor from thunder racing is kind of expensive, but if I have to buy it I will. Any other suggestions?

[Jakethesnake]

seras rents spring compressor's i believe

[plan Z]

is doin a cam swap on an ls1 any harder? . my lt1 wasnt that hard at all and i'd never done that before i did mine.

[Sneakin Deacon]

anytime i have done a cam swap, i usually pull the lifters for 2 reasons. inspect them for wear, and to prevent them from falling into the block. and just sit them in oil while they wait to go back in

also be careful while installing/removing the cam, any sudden jerking and catching a bearing wrong could dislodge the bearing. this is more significant for the last bearing on install because you dont have very much leverage on it (i usually used a long screw threaded into the cam). also once it is in, triple check the rocker adjustment. once all that is done and the car is ready to start, i believe break-in for the cam is like 10 minutes at 2500rpm.

as for the spring compressor, why do you need it? are you putting in springs aswell?

[Guado]

We are talking LS1's here Kenny, about 10% of what you just said coincides. :P

Now if it were one of those accident prone LT1's..... ;)

[ZACSLS1]

O-Brien, give me a call tonight. I am back in town for good and won't be going anywhere seeing the Camaro is wrecked.

[Sneakin Deacon]

Originally posted by guadofreak
We are talking LS1's here Kenny, about 10% of what you just said coincides. :P

Now if it were one of those accident prone LT1's..... ;)


gotta go fast to have accidents...thats why LT1's are superior.