CAM Swap Estimate help! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

STERN2192 · 08-15-2018, 05:28 PM

Hey Everyone,

Looking for some input, I emailed a few local tunning shops near me for an estimate for a mild cam swap with a VVT/DOD delete. I got two drastically different quotes, one seems insanely high at $8k and the other is around $4k. The higher estimate wanted to do more like a torque converter, headers, and full exhaust. Would the torque converter be necessary for a mild cam? Any input on these two different estimates would be appreciated!

KB85 · 08-15-2018, 10:35 PM

That 8k is high but if you can do some of that yourself I’d do it. Headers arnt that bad. And yes, you will want a tc. I’d do a triple disc and circle d but that’s me without know wha5 you’ll use car for. I had a fti 3200 triple and it was fine for street driving but not what I needed for track so I swapped it out.

$650 for dyno and $936 for trans are to high imo based on what I’ve seen at a couple of shops. Typically about $500 for Dyno, $300-400 for street tune only, and $750 for trans. If I remember correctly gm states trans removal and reinstall is 6 hour job. Everything on left looks set on

sdynak · 08-16-2018, 04:48 AM

At a minimum the $8K estimate they should not be charging to install the headers as they need to unbolt them from the heads to do the head R&R and also they already have exhaust R&R for the trans.. They seem to be putting everything as a separate job and not the overall. Not the best way to earn business. But yes.. a converter would be the best option to get the performance from the increased power curve. With a job like this there should be some breaks on labor overlap.

STERN2192 · 08-16-2018, 07:16 AM

Thanks for the responses guys! I think I'm going to go back to the $4k quote and have them toss in the converter to see how that would effect the estimate. The car is mostly for street driving with a few days at the strip, and not a daily. Would the FTI single be a good choice or should I opt for the triple? It seems like the $8k estimate they just want to price themselves out of it.

Matt@Tick · 08-16-2018, 07:27 AM

On the second bill, they are charging for a header install of 650... You can have headers on a 5th gen in about two hours with a blindfold on. Besides that, they will already have the exhaust off because of the AFM delete. Seems like they are trying to take advantage of someone.

SSEssence · 08-16-2018, 09:35 AM

I've been wondering the same thing for a L99 cam install cost, thanks for this post. What stage cam are you planning on doing?

1JEWLDSSRS · 08-16-2018, 10:26 AM

I had mine done 2 months ago, total job, cam, LS3 conversion, AFM/DOD delete, all the supporting goodies to go with the cam, got the TSP Stage 3 kit-231/246 @112 LSA, was going to go with the stage 1 and keep the stock converter, but that seemed like a waste of money, my builder gave me a great price on a 3200 stall single disc, which is all you would need for a daily like mine, so I went big or go home! Already had LT's so I didn't need to get those. All in all they quoted me a price of 5700 for the cam and EVERYTHING to support it, install and dyno/street tune, price for the tranny cooler was 30 installed, so I paid 6k out the door and am VERY pleased with the job they did! The car is a monster now.4 years ago when I was thinking about the swap, they quoted me 6500,so it was 500 bucks cheaper. Gota love it!! Good luck sir.

LsxDoctor · 08-16-2018, 11:32 AM

Wow lol just do the work yourself. These cars are so easy to work on! Especially with the resources we have today. You can easily figure it out with this forum and youtube.

Baddbird · 08-16-2018, 03:30 PM

There is a ton of labor overlap on that 2nd estimate.

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bayarea408 · 08-16-2018, 05:08 PM

insane....

These cars are both easy and fun to work on, i suggest making a pot of coffee do tons of reading and planning.

8k for a cam job, wow.... a completely forged long block from TSP is priced under that cam estimate.

STERN2192 · 08-16-2018, 05:41 PM

Thanks for all the input guys. I think I'm gonna cross the $8k estimate of the list for sure (not that I was strongly going to consider them anyway), and either do it myself over the winter or go with the more sane $4k estimate.

I know both estimates are for the VVT delete, but should I keep VVT or would the LS3 conversion be the way to go? My initial email with both jobs was just looking for estimates on a mild CAM swap and they both came back with the VVT delete CAM swap.

Baddbird · 08-16-2018, 05:42 PM

Keep the vvt if you have a good tuner!

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Clarkstar · 08-16-2018, 07:24 PM

Ls3 and do it yourself. It's a weekend project if you take your time.

splashlog48 · 08-16-2018, 09:20 PM

You can usually get a better price if you tell them it’s a Cold Cash Deal !!!

08-15-2018, 05:28 PM	#1
STERN2192 Drives: 15' 2SS Green Flash 71' Monte Carlo Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Ohio Posts: 12 View My Garage	CAM Swap Estimate help! Hey Everyone, Looking for some input, I emailed a few local tunning shops near me for an estimate for a mild cam swap with a VVT/DOD delete. I got two drastically different quotes, one seems insanely high at $8k and the other is around $4k. The higher estimate wanted to do more like a torque converter, headers, and full exhaust. Would the torque converter be necessary for a mild cam? Any input on these two different estimates would be appreciated! Attached Images

08-16-2018, 04:48 AM	#3
sdynak Drives: 2010 1SS Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Bayville, NJ Posts: 936	At a minimum the $8K estimate they should not be charging to install the headers as they need to unbolt them from the heads to do the head R&R and also they already have exhaust R&R for the trans.. They seem to be putting everything as a separate job and not the overall. Not the best way to earn business. But yes.. a converter would be the best option to get the performance from the increased power curve. With a job like this there should be some breaks on labor overlap. __________________ 2010 1SS LS3, Black, 235/250, .621/.615, 114 + 4, Kooks Stepped Headers, 3.91's, Bo White PTB, Flowmaster Mufflers, Cold Air Industries CAI, Apex Scoop & Windshield Washer Relocate, SLP Wheels, Skip Shift Eliminate, Barton Flat Stick, OEM HID/Halos, Dyno Tuned by ECS

08-16-2018, 09:35 AM	#6
SSEssence Instagram: Sangstah Drives: 2019 Camaro 1LE Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Buena Park, CA. Posts: 2,802 View My Garage	I've been wondering the same thing for a L99 cam install cost, thanks for this post. What stage cam are you planning on doing? __________________ 2019 SS 1LE - "CaSSandra" 2014 SS - "AleSSandra - Sold" 94 Z28 - Sold Follow the build https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=612717

08-16-2018, 10:26 AM	#7
1JEWLDSSRS Drives: 2011 SS-RS Join Date: May 2011 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 11,435	I had mine done 2 months ago, total job, cam, LS3 conversion, AFM/DOD delete, all the supporting goodies to go with the cam, got the TSP Stage 3 kit-231/246 @112 LSA, was going to go with the stage 1 and keep the stock converter, but that seemed like a waste of money, my builder gave me a great price on a 3200 stall single disc, which is all you would need for a daily like mine, so I went big or go home! Already had LT's so I didn't need to get those. All in all they quoted me a price of 5700 for the cam and EVERYTHING to support it, install and dyno/street tune, price for the tranny cooler was 30 installed, so I paid 6k out the door and am VERY pleased with the job they did! The car is a monster now.4 years ago when I was thinking about the swap, they quoted me 6500,so it was 500 bucks cheaper. Gota love it!! Good luck sir. __________________ TSP STAGE 3 CAM,231/246 @112 LSA 614/641 LIFT, CIRCLE D 5C-4200-4500 CONVERTER,LOD INTAKE.CORSA EXHAUST. DSS 1 PC DS. PEGASUS SOLID CRADLE MOUNTS. 486RWHP/475RWTQ.LOTS MORE.

08-16-2018, 11:32 AM	#8
LsxDoctor 15 Year LS1Tech Member Drives: 2010 ss 391ci LS3 Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 252	Wow lol just do the work yourself. These cars are so easy to work on! Especially with the resources we have today. You can easily figure it out with this forum and youtube. __________________ GJDM

08-15-2018, 10:35 PM	#2
KB85 Banned Drives: Camaro Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Ohio Posts: 54	That 8k is high but if you can do some of that yourself I’d do it. Headers arnt that bad. And yes, you will want a tc. I’d do a triple disc and circle d but that’s me without know wha5 you’ll use car for. I had a fti 3200 triple and it was fine for street driving but not what I needed for track so I swapped it out. $650 for dyno and $936 for trans are to high imo based on what I’ve seen at a couple of shops. Typically about $500 for Dyno, $300-400 for street tune only, and $750 for trans. If I remember correctly gm states trans removal and reinstall is 6 hour job. Everything on left looks set on

08-16-2018, 07:16 AM	#4
STERN2192 Drives: 15' 2SS Green Flash 71' Monte Carlo Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Ohio Posts: 12 View My Garage	Thanks for the responses guys! I think I'm going to go back to the $4k quote and have them toss in the converter to see how that would effect the estimate. The car is mostly for street driving with a few days at the strip, and not a daily. Would the FTI single be a good choice or should I opt for the triple? It seems like the $8k estimate they just want to price themselves out of it.

08-16-2018, 07:27 AM	#5
Matt@Tick Drives: All GM Performance Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Mount Airy, NC Posts: 337	On the second bill, they are charging for a header install of 650... You can have headers on a 5th gen in about two hours with a blindfold on. Besides that, they will already have the exhaust off because of the AFM delete. Seems like they are trying to take advantage of someone.

08-16-2018, 03:30 PM	#9
Baddbird Drives: 2014 2SS Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Mo Posts: 166	There is a ton of labor overlap on that 2nd estimate. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08-16-2018, 05:08 PM	#10
bayarea408 Drives: T Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: CA Posts: 803	insane.... These cars are both easy and fun to work on, i suggest making a pot of coffee do tons of reading and planning. 8k for a cam job, wow.... a completely forged long block from TSP is priced under that cam estimate.

08-16-2018, 05:41 PM	#11
STERN2192 Drives: 15' 2SS Green Flash 71' Monte Carlo Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Ohio Posts: 12 View My Garage	Thanks for all the input guys. I think I'm gonna cross the $8k estimate of the list for sure (not that I was strongly going to consider them anyway), and either do it myself over the winter or go with the more sane $4k estimate. I know both estimates are for the VVT delete, but should I keep VVT or would the LS3 conversion be the way to go? My initial email with both jobs was just looking for estimates on a mild CAM swap and they both came back with the VVT delete CAM swap.

08-16-2018, 05:42 PM	#12
Baddbird Drives: 2014 2SS Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Mo Posts: 166	Keep the vvt if you have a good tuner! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

08-16-2018, 07:24 PM	#13
Clarkstar Drives: 2013 1SS 1LE Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Ixonia wi Posts: 1,456	Ls3 and do it yourself. It's a weekend project if you take your time. __________________ 2013 1le- Katech 416 short block, TSP custom grind cam, LOD intake, cnc heads by F.ED., Nick William's 102mm T.B., CORN fed, Pedders coilovers. Performance street alingnment by Justin at Lake Country Alignment and dyno tune by Late Model Throttle. 603 h.p. 495 ft lbs tq.

08-16-2018, 09:20 PM	#14
splashlog48 Drives: 2011 Green SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: CleveBurbs Ohio Posts: 669	You can usually get a better price if you tell them it’s a Cold Cash Deal !!! __________________ Edelbrock EForce Blower, RDP custom grind cam with upgrades,Stainless Power Headers with HighFlow Cats, Stainless Power Retro catback, DSS halfshafts, CAI brand CAI, Tuned ON the Dyno by Steve at RDP. SLP rims,All vinyl stripes removed and painted on, custom hand painted pinstriping, Custom leather seats, Lloyds mats,windows tinted, Sparks emblems, Hurst Billit shifter, and too many small items to list. VDI Scissors doors.