Cam swap quotes Afm lifters

[greenh2]

I've been thinking of having a mild cam installed in my l99. Around $4500 out the door price for a complete ls3 conversion vs $2700 tsp afm-1 Cam installed. Includes dyno tune for both.


That $2700 is tempting.... I would rather just save up for a turbonetics kit and install it myself instead of paying $4500.

Is $2700 pretty dumb thing to do to gain maybe additional 50hp with a good tune? Has anyone heard of Afm lifters actually failing with The TSP cam?

[vroomapunk]

Ive never heard of anyone saying "you'll be alright with the afm lifters" when discussing a cam swap.

Its not hard to do yourself, whether you do fixed or VVT, you should replace those lifters, so it makes the cost about the same, taking the heads off.

You'll kick yourself later if you do all that work/spend all that money for a mild increase in power.

I have the night fury(fixed cam) and went from 375/390 to 470/440 increase of 95hp and 50tq with a ported intake, U/D pulley, cam, ls3 conversion, stall, tune

Plus you'll miss the lope if you go too mild.

I haven't really heard of anyone using the AFM lifters with a cam, or installing the TSP AFM cam though

[Red2014SS]

Local speed shop quoted me $3300 for a cam install and a complete LS3 conversion. $4500 sounds a little high.

[JusticePete]

Before we tell greenh2 if the price is good or bad, we really need more details on what work that covers. greenh2, can you post a statement of work for the $4,500?

[chozn4service]

I had a BTR Stage 2 cam done, LS3 conversion, upgraded high flow oil pump and trans cooler, everything was upgraded and I love it! Not to radical, drivability is great and now putting down 450rwhp and 423rwtq.
My cost was pretty close that, money well spent and pretty much every place I have seen in the Midwest is in that price range which includes parts, labor and tuning. Best money I've spent on my car and it has brought a new leash on enjoying my car.

[greenh2]

I just emailed the shop for a detailed estimate. He won't be back until Monday. Here was his response concerning the quote.. For the automatic it is a good amount of parts and work and the heads have to come off to change the lifters, also the timing cover needs to change to the LS3 style. This setup works out to be around 4500 for parts, installation and tuning.

Thats up in Detroit. The $2700 was from a smaller outfit near Chicago.

[chozn4service]

This is my parts list. My guy at Hoosier Street Cars, Joseph Enrico gave me a separate parts list and separate labor with tune quote. They do a lot of cars and guys are coming from all over to have their cam work done or cars re-tuned by Joe. They are knowledgeable, reliable, trustworthy and stand by what they do. I can't be more happier with how my car is now and I get all kind of compliments on it's sound and performance which it has very manageable and polite manners but will get off in someone's ass if necessary.

There is an old saying, good shit ain't cheap and cheap shit ain't good. I know I have no issues with my car and it was expressed that if I should decide to drive my car to Fullerton, CA in the near future, I want to be able to get there and back with zero issues.


My part list, and I did upgrades where suggested. Some I know did not and my attitude was do it while the motor is apart instead of coming back later or if something failed. I should have no failures.


Parts Qty Each Total
Brian Tooley Racing Stage 2 cam kit with springs, locks, seals, pushrods 1
Katech C5R timing chain 1
Rocker Arm Trunion upgrade kit 1
ARP Crank Bolt 1
Mobil 1 Oil/Mobil 1 Filter/Coolant 1

LS7 Lifters 1
ARP Head bolts 1
LS9 Head Gaskets 2
3 bolt cam Gear kit 1 $70.00 $70.00
Valley cover Assembly 1
Lifter Tray/Bolts 1
Front cover kit 1
Precision Industries custom stall converter (recommended for all auto trans) 1
Aftermarket trans cooler 1 0
ATI Super balancer 1
Melling 10296 high volume oil pump

[greenh2]

Is Hoosier Street Cars down in Lafayette? I lived there few years. I managed a pizza place while at Purdue. GOOD CHEAP pizza.

[Red2014SS]

Originally Posted by chozn4service

There is an old saying, good shit ain't cheap and cheap shit ain't good. I know I have no issues with my car and it was expressed that if I should decide to drive my car to Fullerton, CA in the near future, I want to be able to get there and back with zero issues.


My part list, and I did upgrades where suggested. Some I know did not and my attitude was do it while the motor is apart instead of coming back later or if something failed. I should have no failures.


Parts Qty Each Total
Brian Tooley Racing Stage 2 cam kit with springs, locks, seals, pushrods 1
Katech C5R timing chain 1
Rocker Arm Trunion upgrade kit 1
ARP Crank Bolt 1
Mobil 1 Oil/Mobil 1 Filter/Coolant 1

LS7 Lifters 1
ARP Head bolts 1
LS9 Head Gaskets 2
3 bolt cam Gear kit 1 $70.00 $70.00
Valley cover Assembly 1
Lifter Tray/Bolts 1
Front cover kit 1
Precision Industries custom stall converter (recommended for all auto trans) 1
Aftermarket trans cooler 1 0
ATI Super balancer 1
Melling 10296 high volume oil pump

Price was about the same, but you got a little bit more than just a cam and LS3 conversion. I see a PI Custom stall and a tranny cooler in that list! Which is a very nice list of parts!! Sounds like you got a heck of a deal! I'm officially jealous. Maybe next year for me.


The $3300 I was quoted did not include the cost of a tune or dyno time. I get that part for free. So maybe the price difference isn't so great when you figure that in.

[chozn4service]

It is in Lafayette. SR38 just about 4mi west of I65.
You can get and eat good pizza, like at King's Island, Pizza King and some others.

Also are you familiar with IndyNexGen?

Check us out at indynexgen.com

And we have an All Camaro Show on September 12th at Forrest Park in Noblesville from 1-4p


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JusticePete]

Originally Posted by greenh2

I just emailed the shop for a detailed estimate. He won't be back until Monday. Here was his response concerning the quote.. For the automatic it is a good amount of parts and work and the heads have to come off to change the lifters, also the timing cover needs to change to the LS3 style. This setup works out to be around 4500 for parts, installation and tuning.

Thats up in Detroit. The $2700 was from a smaller outfit near Chicago.

My guess is the shop in Chicago has a different parts list?

[greenh2]

[QUOTE=chozn4service;8611146]It is in Lafayette. SR38 just about 4mi west of I65.
You can get and eat good pizza, like at King's Island, Pizza King and some others.

Also are you familiar with IndyNexGen?

Check us out at indynexgen.com

And we have an All Camaro Show on September 12th at Forrest Park in Noblesville from 1-4p

I would be interested. Wished I hadn't made plans for the holley Ls fest already that weekend.

I'm looking forward to compare the parts list when I get it Monday from Livernois to your list.

[greenh2]

Originally Posted by JusticePete

My guess is the shop in Chicago has a different parts list?

The $2700 was for a Cam that keeps the Afm lifters. The labor and tune is $1700 for that cam install. $1000 for fluid and parts.

[JusticePete]

Originally Posted by greenh2

The $2700 was for a Cam that keeps the Afm lifters. The labor and tune is $1700 for that cam install. $1000 for fluid and parts.

AFM has to go.

FYI - I like Johnson Lifters with a tie bar.