Cam Labor Price/Question

[Milkman20]

So here's the deal, i was just wondering, for all you guys who have aftermarket cams, what did you guys pay for labor? I'm thinking of buying the VVT-3 cam from texas speed, with the AFM/DOD delete kit, .675" double spring kit. Ive been quoted about $1500 - $2000 for labor from a shop where I've always took my previous cars I've had. They have always done a great job and great friends with the owner.

here's one of many cars they built just for your entertainment
http://youtu.be/URD_zq5TKGY
http://youtu.be/_fvTLzu1-WE
http://youtu.be/tclFpW6_3ac

Thanks!!

[Rockit_z28]

I am confused. You stated that you are doing a VVT cam, but then also doing the AFM/DOD delete? If you are doing the AFM/DOD delete, you can go to a better cam especially with those springs and not be limited to the VVT cams. The VVT cams are designed to work with AFM/DOD.

Labor seems reasonable and more importantly it sounds like a shop you trust.

[brantley847]

I hope that includes the tune? If the tune is included I could go for that... 2k still seems a high.

[brantley847]

Originally Posted by Rockit_z28

I am confused. You stated that you are doing a VVT cam, but then also doing the AFM/DOD delete? If you are doing the AFM/DOD delete, you can go to a better cam especially with those springs and not be limited to the VVT cams. The VVT cams are designed to work with AFM/DOD.

Labor seems reasonable and more importantly it sounds like a shop you trust.

TSP AFM/DOD delete is vastly cheaper than Ted, Mast, or others.. it seems to be just a replace for lifters/springs... I could be wrong, may want to check their website and see, but it doesn't seem like a FULL conversion kit. (again.. could be completely wrong).

I believe regardless which cam you go with, you have to replace lifters... that may be what OP means.

[Hulk]

AFM/DOD is the cylinder cut out designed for economy and has nothing to do with the VVT, it just so happens that both systems are used in the L99. The lifter oil pressure for 4 of the cylinders is lowered so the lifters "collapse" or do not function. The AMF/DOD lifters are known to be weak and it is suggested that they are replaced when larger cams are installed. The heads must be removed to do the lifter change out AMF/DOD delete increasing the cost over a normal cam swap that does not require cylinder head removal. The VVT variable valve timing is the advance and retard of the cam timing. The advance and retard of the cam timing gives you the best of both worlds with one cam. The advance makes more low end power and the retarding makes more top end power. Tuning by someone that understands all of this is critical.

[NYJETSFAN]

I was also concerned about the price of labor when it relates to cam installations. I am pursuing a cam that will cost roughly 1400 and I was told the installation can take up to 10 hrs@ 100 bucks per hour.. Not sure of that is about right, but the installer comes highly recommended.

[UF4LIFE102SS]

850 for labor is what i paid.

[summitss/rsls3]

Do it yourself, its free that way, took me and my brother 5 hours start to finish in my garage. They only thing we didnt do was tune it, that cost me $400.

[Milkman20]

@Hulk was right, but the AFM/DOD delete Kit comes with LS3 timing chain dampener, 8 new LS7 lifters, LS3 lifter trays, GM LS3 cylinder head gaskets, GM LS3 cylinder head bolts, LS2 valley cover, PCV hose, PCV plug, and a TSP camshaft swap bolt and gasket it. and im paying an extra $70 for all 16 instead of just 8 lifters. Here this is what im getting https://www.texas-speed.com/p-260-ts...t-package.aspx

I don't mean to sound rude but i already did the research and everything on that, my initial question was about labor, i appreciate your guys concern but I really just needed your opinion about labor.

Originally Posted by summitss/rsls3

Do it yourself, its free that way, took me and my brother 5 hours start to finish in my garage. They only thing we didnt do was tune it, that cost me $400.

was it easy to do yourself? Me and my buddy have some experience and have did this before but not much.

Thanks guys!!

[Milkman20]

Originally Posted by brantley847

I hope that includes the tune? If the tune is included I could go for that... 2k still seems a high.

and yea it includes the tune

[NYJETSFAN]

I would love to do it myself, But I am not mechanically inclined at all. I will attempt things that are cost efficient to repair if I make a mistake.

[kaler]

Originally Posted by Milkman20

and yea it includes the tune

Sounds like a fair price including the tune. You will love that cam.

[kaler]

Originally Posted by Hulk

AFM/DOD is the cylinder cut out designed for economy and has nothing to do with the VVT, it just so happens that both systems are used in the L99. The lifter oil pressure for 4 of the cylinders is lowered so the lifters "collapse" or do not function. The AMF/DOD lifters are known to be weak and it is suggested that they are replaced when larger cams are installed. The heads must be removed to do the lifter change out AMF/DOD delete increasing the cost over a normal cam swap that does not require cylinder head removal. The VVT variable valve timing is the advance and retard of the cam timing. The advance and retard of the cam timing gives you the best of both worlds with one cam. The advance makes more low end power and the retarding makes more top end power. Tuning by someone that understands all of this is critical.

I thought I was the only one on Camaro5 that understood that lol. To add to the end of your post,when you buy a TSP VVT cam they provide the cam phasing tables. As long as the person doing the tune knows how to tune a LS engine you are good to go.

[kaler]

[QUOTE=Rocket-z28 ..... I am confused. You stated that you are doing a VVT cam, but then also doing the AFM/DOD delete? If you are doing the AFM/DOD delete, you can go to a better cam especially with those springs and not be limited to the VVT cams. The VVT cams are designed to work with AFM/DOD.

Labor seems reasonable and more importantly it sounds like a shop you trust. [/QUOTE]

I'm not saying the VVT-3 cam is the end all be all, my results speak for them self. I have gained 121 rwhp with my VVT-3 set up thru a 3200 converter. If this car wasn't my wifes DD I would have most likely yanked the VVT and ran a huge cam not that the VVT-3 is a small cam. In fact it is as big or bigger than 90 percent of the cams I see on Camaro5.