ZL1 cam swap - Page 3 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Stephen12ZL1 · 04-15-2014, 05:58 AM

reusing the stock chain and leaving the oil pump in place?

ZO6 Bryan · 04-15-2014, 07:45 AM

Keeping the stock chain, damper, and gears. Since cam is being custom ground it's a 1 bolt design. If you go 3 bolt you have to change everything else too.

Ivan @ Southwest Speed · 04-21-2014, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen12ZL1

ok...it has been stated that the entire oil pan needs to be dropped to access the oil pump pickup tube retaining bolt. Do you concur?

Just loosen up the pan bolts and you can lower the pan just enough to get a ratcheting 10mm wrench in there to remove the Oil Pump Pickup tube bolt.

Before you do any of that.....especially for you first timers....stick a nice clean shop towel down in the oil pan just in case your slippery fingers lose that bolt after loosening it.

To this day, we still do it and all my Techs do it.

It really sucks to have to snake a lost bolt out of an oil pan. But with the shop towel in there....it's another quick tip to make the swap more enjoyable.

Very happy to see you choose the BTR Stick.....Awesome.

BTR + SWS has been alot of fun the last year or so.

Subbed for your success!
Ivan @ Southwest Speed

ZO6 Bryan · 05-05-2014, 10:31 PM

Back to work on the cam install.
Removed cam gear and retention plate.
Notice the hex key in the tensioner.
Spin cam around 1 or 2 times to pop the lifters up into the lifter cups
Buy 5/16 dowel rods at hardware store and cut into two 2 ft lengths.
Slide into holes in front of block to prevent lifters falling.
Cam lubed up with Lucas Assembly Lube from Autozone.

ZO6 Bryan · 05-05-2014, 10:37 PM

AC condenser and heat exchanger can be lifted up and set on top of engine without disconnecting lines.
Use old bolt in the cam as a handle to gently pull out without letting it drop hard on the cam bearings inside
Slide new cam in.
Pull rods out.
Blue Locktite the cam retention plate bolts.
And bolt it back up.

ZO6 Bryan · 05-05-2014, 10:47 PM

Aren't smart phones great. Ask siri for LS3 torque specs and there they are.

Line the marks up on cam gear and crank gear and reinstall chain. Pain in the ass with the oil pump still in place, but can be done. Frustrating but doable.

New cam bolt from GM. Old one not to be used again.

Torque cam bolt to 55 lb-ft Then make two marks with sharpie or paint. Turn another 50 deg, or approx. one wrench flat on the bolt.

Don't forget to remove the hex key!!!

BPG · 05-05-2014, 10:50 PM

Is your "breaker bar handle" an old mag lite? Haha. Love it!

Excellent write up. Can't wait to hear it idle

ZO6 Bryan · 05-05-2014, 10:50 PM

Degree the cam to make sure the cam events are what they are supposed to be. If you don't know what this is or how to do it, Google it.

ZO6 Bryan · 05-05-2014, 10:56 PM

Add a little RTV Silicone at the joint before putting the timing cover back on.
All the timing cover bolts should be only finger tight.
Then put the damper back on and that will center the timing cover.
Then tightened the timing cover bolts and make sure the bolts on the underside are tightened LAST!

The stretch to fit AC belt can be started on the crank and AC pulley and turn the engine while you hold it on the AC pulley until it pops back in place.

ZO6 Bryan · 05-05-2014, 11:01 PM

On to the valve spring install.
Used the BTR .660 lift platinum kit with titanium retainers.
Purchased the Comp Cams tool for the valve springs. Still it's a pain in the ass and can't be rushed. Be prepared to chase valve locks and retainers under the car.

I used a soft nylon rope about 3/8" dia. to hold the valves up. Push about 1 1/2 ft into the spark plug hole and then turn the engine by hand until it stops and the rope wedges against the valves so they can't drop.

A gentle tap with a small hammer will pop the locks loose if they don't come loose right away with compressing the springs.

Old valve seals easily wiggled off with pliers.

Put grease on the new valve locks and it will help keep them from falling off the valve stem during reinstall.

New parts from BTR
Seats go on first.

Then a 12mm deep socket works well to press the new seals on.

Reverse procedure to put the new springs retainers and locks in place.

Repeat 8 more times.

ZO6 Bryan · 05-06-2014, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BPG

Is your "breaker bar handle" an old mag lite? Haha. Love it!

Excellent write up. Can't wait to hear it idle

It's part of a floor jack handle!

Stephen12ZL1 · 05-06-2014, 05:51 AM

use a little magnet to grab valve locks always helped me. It keeps them from falling everywhere.

BlackinBlack · 05-06-2014, 08:04 AM

Great post!!

Hope we get some dyno results and a video of the idle.

Stephen12ZL1 · 05-06-2014, 05:22 PM

What did you use for a positive stop to confirm TDC before degreeing cam & checking specs?

04-15-2014, 05:58 AM	#29
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,808	reusing the stock chain and leaving the oil pump in place? __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

04-15-2014, 07:45 AM	#30
ZO6 Bryan Drives: 02 Z06, 95 Trans Am, 2012 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Southeast Posts: 1,838 View My Garage	Keeping the stock chain, damper, and gears. Since cam is being custom ground it's a 1 bolt design. If you go 3 bolt you have to change everything else too. __________________ Bryan 2018 ZL1 M6

05-05-2014, 10:31 PM	#32
ZO6 Bryan Drives: 02 Z06, 95 Trans Am, 2012 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Southeast Posts: 1,838 View My Garage	Back to work on the cam install. Removed cam gear and retention plate. Notice the hex key in the tensioner. Spin cam around 1 or 2 times to pop the lifters up into the lifter cups Buy 5/16 dowel rods at hardware store and cut into two 2 ft lengths. Slide into holes in front of block to prevent lifters falling. Cam lubed up with Lucas Assembly Lube from Autozone. Attached Images __________________ Bryan 2018 ZL1 M6 Last edited by ZO6 Bryan; 05-05-2014 at 11:56 PM.

05-05-2014, 10:37 PM	#33
ZO6 Bryan Drives: 02 Z06, 95 Trans Am, 2012 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Southeast Posts: 1,838 View My Garage	AC condenser and heat exchanger can be lifted up and set on top of engine without disconnecting lines. Use old bolt in the cam as a handle to gently pull out without letting it drop hard on the cam bearings inside Slide new cam in. Pull rods out. Blue Locktite the cam retention plate bolts. And bolt it back up. Attached Images __________________ Bryan 2018 ZL1 M6

05-05-2014, 10:47 PM	#34
ZO6 Bryan Drives: 02 Z06, 95 Trans Am, 2012 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Southeast Posts: 1,838 View My Garage	Aren't smart phones great. Ask siri for LS3 torque specs and there they are. Line the marks up on cam gear and crank gear and reinstall chain. Pain in the ass with the oil pump still in place, but can be done. Frustrating but doable. New cam bolt from GM. Old one not to be used again. Torque cam bolt to 55 lb-ft Then make two marks with sharpie or paint. Turn another 50 deg, or approx. one wrench flat on the bolt. Don't forget to remove the hex key!!! Attached Images __________________ Bryan 2018 ZL1 M6

05-05-2014, 10:50 PM	#35
BPG Faster than you... Drives: 1194whp. 8.62@168. daily driver... Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: USA Posts: 430	Is your "breaker bar handle" an old mag lite? Haha. Love it! Excellent write up. Can't wait to hear it idle __________________ GTR

05-05-2014, 10:56 PM	#37
ZO6 Bryan Drives: 02 Z06, 95 Trans Am, 2012 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Southeast Posts: 1,838 View My Garage	Add a little RTV Silicone at the joint before putting the timing cover back on. All the timing cover bolts should be only finger tight. Then put the damper back on and that will center the timing cover. Then tightened the timing cover bolts and make sure the bolts on the underside are tightened LAST! The stretch to fit AC belt can be started on the crank and AC pulley and turn the engine while you hold it on the AC pulley until it pops back in place. Attached Images __________________ Bryan 2018 ZL1 M6

05-05-2014, 11:01 PM	#38
ZO6 Bryan Drives: 02 Z06, 95 Trans Am, 2012 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Southeast Posts: 1,838 View My Garage	On to the valve spring install. Used the BTR .660 lift platinum kit with titanium retainers. Purchased the Comp Cams tool for the valve springs. Still it's a pain in the ass and can't be rushed. Be prepared to chase valve locks and retainers under the car. I used a soft nylon rope about 3/8" dia. to hold the valves up. Push about 1 1/2 ft into the spark plug hole and then turn the engine by hand until it stops and the rope wedges against the valves so they can't drop. A gentle tap with a small hammer will pop the locks loose if they don't come loose right away with compressing the springs. Old valve seals easily wiggled off with pliers. Put grease on the new valve locks and it will help keep them from falling off the valve stem during reinstall. New parts from BTR Seats go on first. Then a 12mm deep socket works well to press the new seals on. Reverse procedure to put the new springs retainers and locks in place. Repeat 8 more times. Attached Images __________________ Bryan 2018 ZL1 M6

05-06-2014, 05:51 AM	#40
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,808	use a little magnet to grab valve locks always helped me. It keeps them from falling everywhere. __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

05-06-2014, 08:04 AM	#41
BlackinBlack Drives: 2016 Corvette Z06 Blade Silver Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 822	Great post!! Hope we get some dyno results and a video of the idle. __________________ 2016 2LZ Z06 Blade Silver 2013 ZL1 BLACK on BLACK <SOLD> Roto-Fab CAI 2010 2SS/RS BLACK on BLACK <SOLD> 3" MBRP 304 Stainless Exhaust Roto-Fab CAI

05-06-2014, 05:22 PM	#42
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,808	What did you use for a positive stop to confirm TDC before degreeing cam & checking specs? __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)