Installing cam

[Abelardoo_12]

So this weekend I installed a circle D 3800 converter and started taking things apart on the engine for the cam swap. I will be putting in a gpi ss3 vvt cam with springs, pushrods, lifters, trunnion bushings, oil pump, c5r chain and a udp. I will be taking it slow and working on it little by little every day after work and maybe have it ready in a week or two. I'm a little nervous since it's my first cam job but I've done a lot of research and I'm using a couple of threads from here to guide me, anybody have any helpful tips they could give me?

Can't wait till it's all done !

[christianchevell]

my many posts.....LOL

thread pitch .047 for one turn= about .070 in actual movement of the rocker arm as its a ratio...1.7 x .047 one turn= equals most setting their preload in the sweet zone for less noise in the .040-.060 range at 3/4 a turn for stock lifters. Use a pushrod measuring device if you are smart but cam makers usually know the right stuff to use. You must have a ls3 /7 dogbone dampener..... and don't forget a couple rounds of break in oil br30..and a actual break in like a new engine with flat tappets....

GM LS Hydraulic Roller Cam Bulletin
Attn:*GM LS Engine*Owners
Re:*Hydraulic Roller Cam & Lifter Failures Due To Improper Lubrication
As the marketplace stretches the power levels of the popular GM LS platform (especially in power adder applications), a marked increase is being seen in hydraulic roller cam lobe deterioration, along with lifter wheel and needle bearing failures. The root issue of this problem is a general lack of understanding about the lubrication needs of this engine platform.
Customers often do not consider the need for either a break-in oil or application specific formula due to the fact that their application utilizes a hydraulic roller cam. Since these LS engines are primarily for street/strip use, a typical customer may use a conventional 20W-50 “Racing Oil” or a similar off-the-shelf lubricant. The engines are thus not broken in with specialized break-in oil, meaning that the proper foundation for valve train durability is never established.
As street applications featuring the LS engine are not typically warmed up before driving, the heavy weight oil (such as 20W-50) is slower in flowing to the hydraulic roller lifters. The result is a lack of adequate lubrication. The LS platform pump and oiling system is designed for 5W-30 viscosity grade oil, so using heavier weight oil actually reduces lubrication and often leads to rapid valve train failure.
Driven Racing Oil™ recommends using*BR30 Break-In Oil*and*LS30 Synthetic Street Performance Oil*as a two-part solution to this growing problem.
By utilizing the BR30 Break-In Oil, the proper additive foundation will be introduced into the engine. This is accomplished first by breaking in the LS engine for 30 minutes to one hour much like a customer with a flat tappet valve train would. The customer should then drain the oil and change the filter, install a fresh fill of BR30 and continue to break-in the engine for the next 500 miles.
Due to the use of hydraulic lifters in these engines, it is critical that the oil be changed after break-in to remove the metal particulate created during the process. If these small particles are allowed to stay in the oil system for thousands of miles serious damage will occur.
After the break-in steps are complete, it is time to install the LS30 Synthetic Street Performance Oil, which is a properly formulated 5W-30 motor oil designed specifically for GM LS-based engines. The LS30 oil features mPAO synthetic base oil technology that increases High Temperature High Shear (HTHS) bearing oil film thickness, so the oil flows like a 5W-30 but protects like a 15W-40.
This innovative technology enables LS30 to provide the required viscosity for the LS oiling system and deliver the added protection required for higher lift cams and hydraulic roller lifters.
This two-step lubrication process provides the proper viscosity and additive chemistry for the unique requirements of modified GM LS engines with hydraulic roller valve trains. Properly completing this sequence of steps utilizing both the Driven BR30 Break-In Oil and LS30 Synthetic Street Performance Oil will establish the proper anti-wear film in the engine, remove harmful break-in particles and provide excellent ring sealing.

Good Luck many just recharge the A/C from moving the lines..etc , and driving it to a dyno can be done very easily like Mr. long gone who had trouble figuring his preload and pushrod length Robert Way but its always better to have a tune in loaded for start up, just soak the lifters in oil over night, and yes you can use dowels but you want to carefully inspect the cam if you using the stock lifters and not pulling the heads if you have lot of miles on it.... And frankly I go with a double break in on the cam with BR30 driven racing oil dumping once after initial 30 minute break in and dyno runs then 500 miles later....for a full engine like my new one I did three break ins, the third round being vrx high zddp conventional to go three thousand miles being sure to break in the rings, seals, etc etc etc....

[Abelardoo_12]

Thanks christian that's really helpful info, I do have a dogbone that I'll be installing as well, I also have the brake in oil and the ls30 oil but I plan to do the break in for 30 minutes and then drive for 500 miles before doing the first oil change and putting in the ls30, then I'll be driving to the dyno after all that. I have to pull the heads because I'm deleting afm/dod and I'll be replacing all 16 lifters so no dowels needed. I also have the new start up tune ready to go in with an efi live. And as for the pushrods I got the whole kit from gpi so they included the correct pushrods but when I put the rockers back on I will be checking the preload to make sure its correct.

[Gunmetal Speedster]

We're getting all the same upgrades minus the cam, I went with Night Fury. Good luck brother, hope all turns out well for you! Let us know how it goes

[Abelardoo_12]

Originally Posted by Gunmetal Speedster

We're getting all the same upgrades minus the cam, I went with Night Fury. Good luck brother, hope all turns out well for you! Let us know how it goes

Thanks gunmetal ! I managed to pull the heads off last night and hoping to have it all done by this sunday