Cost to put in a cam? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

RickyTheStorm · 01-28-2010, 11:49 AM

I just got a quote to have a cam put in. $1600 just for labor, not the cam, gaskets, fluids etc. Does this seem high? If I had a engine hoist I'd do it myself, but in the end it would be cheaper to buy one and still do it myself.

Also quoted $800 to put in a torque converter that I know I can do myself in a couple hours. $800 is without the actual converter or fluid.

Ghost of Vincent Price · 01-28-2010, 11:51 AM

A cam install is going to run you about $800-1000 typically with out parts.

I had my stall put in for $400 with fluids.

Qwkss · 01-28-2010, 11:55 AM

We have a special going on right now.....

LS3 Cam Package

-Cam
-Valve Springs
-Titainum Retainers
-Locks
-Seats
-seals
-One piece pushrods
-Installed
-Dyno (Before & After)
-Tuned

$2000

Ghost of Vincent Price · 01-28-2010, 11:56 AM

Thats actually a pretty good deal. What springs and pushrods?

BLK2SS · 01-28-2010, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickyTheStorm

I just got a quote to have a cam put in. $1600 just for labor, not the cam, gaskets, fluids etc. Does this seem high? If I had a engine hoist I'd do it myself, but in the end it would be cheaper to buy one and still do it myself.

Also quoted $800 to put in a torque converter that I know I can do myself in a couple hours. $800 is without the actual converter or fluid.

No need for a hoist. You can do everything with the engine in. You should be able to find a cam/spring package in the 600-700 range depending on what you get. If you do it yourself go ahead and do the pushrods, and trunion upgrade for the rockers.

Ghost of Vincent Price · 01-28-2010, 12:09 PM

I know some people have had needle bearings fall out of thier rocker arms, but I ran a thunder racing trex cam in my 98 ss and never had any failure, and I beat on it daily. Furthermore I havent really heard of there being much of a problem since the ls2-3. At that point you might as well buy new rocker arms IMO.

RickyTheStorm · 01-28-2010, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLK2SS

No need for a hoist. You can do everything with the engine in. You should be able to find a cam/spring package in the 600-700 range depending on what you get. If you do it yourself go ahead and do the pushrods, and trunion upgrade for the rockers.

I already have one picked out and ready to order, MAST Motorsports Stage II Cam Package.

I don't have a lift, just ramps, would it be doable without a lift?

Also - any recommendations on pushrods and the trunion upgrade?

RickyTheStorm · 01-28-2010, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Qwkss

We have a special going on right now.....

LS3 Cam Package

-Cam
-Valve Springs
-Titainum Retainers
-Locks
-Seats
-seals
-One piece pushrods
-Installed
-Dyno (Before & After)
-Tuned

$2000

Good deal - too bad I don't live anywhere near there :-(

Ghost of Vincent Price · 01-28-2010, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickyTheStorm

I already have one picked out and ready to order, MAST Motorsports Stage II Cam Package.

I don't have a lift, just ramps, would it be doable without a lift?

OM NOM NOM NOM.

Sorry. I dont see why you would need a lift or ramps or anything for a cam install.

BLK2SS · 01-28-2010, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickyTheStorm

I already have one picked out and ready to order, MAST Motorsports Stage II Cam Package.

I don't have a lift, just ramps, would it be doable without a lift?

Also - any recommendations on pushrods and the trunion upgrade?

You can do the cam swap with the car on the ground. You wouldn't need it up in the air unless your also doing exhaust. I have the same cam in my car. You are right up the road from me...let me know if you need any help. Comp Cams has the pushrods and trunion upgrade. You will also need a new harmonic balancer bolt...less than $10 from a dealer.

RickyTheStorm · 01-28-2010, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLK2SS

You can do the cam swap with the car on the ground. You wouldn't need it up in the air unless your also doing exhaust. I have the same cam in my car. You are right up the road from me...let me know if you need any help. Comp Cams has the pushrods and trunion upgrade. You will also need a new harmonic balancer bolt...less than $10 from a dealer.

Um okay - the last cam install I witnessed (this was years ago with my grandfather) we had to move the oil pan out of the way, undo the timing unit and get access to it from the bottom back of the motor. This was like 10 years ago, I haven't done anything this involved with an engine since.

Did you do the cam yourself? If so it would be awesome to have someone familiar with the process help me out, and you are right, hanover is close

Oh, and which gaskets and fluids would I need. I would assume oil and coolant. As for gaskets, not sure, valve cover, intake, head?

Late Model Racecraft · 01-28-2010, 01:18 PM

Our complete cam package retails for $949 and we charge $850 in labor to install the complete cam kit. Add gaskets and fluids and you would be looking at an additional $550 for a complete dyno tune once completed.

tples69 · 01-28-2010, 01:40 PM

No offense intended but it sounds like this might not be a DYI project you want to tackle. Let it to a PRO IMHO.

RickyTheStorm · 01-28-2010, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tples69

No offense intended but it sounds like this might not be a DYI project you want to tackle. Let it to a PRO IMHO.

Yea - too bad I try to do everything myself

I just can't see spending an extra grand to have someone else do it - that's all, and I am pretty good at learning and picking up things. I've done everything else on a vehicle except major engine work.

Oh, and none taken, I agree - that's why if I can get help it'd be awesome

01-28-2010, 11:49 AM	#1
RickyTheStorm Drives: '10 Camaro 2SS,04 Colorado,06 ZX6R Join Date: May 2008 Location: Chambersburg, PA Posts: 524 View My Garage	Cost to put in a cam? I just got a quote to have a cam put in. $1600 just for labor, not the cam, gaskets, fluids etc. Does this seem high? If I had a engine hoist I'd do it myself, but in the end it would be cheaper to buy one and still do it myself. Also quoted $800 to put in a torque converter that I know I can do myself in a couple hours. $800 is without the actual converter or fluid. __________________ Vararam CAI, ARH Headers, Flowmaster Exhaust, Nitto NT555Rs, Custom CAM and Tune - 11.981 @ 116.27 IOM - 2SS/RS - Auto - IAP - Sunroof - Ordered 10/13 (#7 at dealer) 3000(accepted to production ): 4/19/09 3300 (scheduled for prod ): 5/11/09 3400 (broadcast ): 5/16/09 3800 (produced ): 5/22/09 4150 (invoiced ): 6/01/09 4200 (shipped ): 6/01/09 5000 (at dealer ): 6/12/09 6000 (delivery to me ): 6/12/09

01-28-2010, 01:18 PM	#12
Late Model Racecraft Drives: 98 Camaro Race Car 3.96 @ 202 MPH Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, Tx Posts: 979 View My Garage	Our complete cam package retails for $949 and we charge $850 in labor to install the complete cam kit. Add gaskets and fluids and you would be looking at an additional $550 for a complete dyno tune once completed. __________________ FIRST C7 Corvette in the 7's & 9's 2019 ZR1 LT59.00@ 157 Current C7 World Record Holder 7.55@ 184MPH Quickest and Fastest GEN5 LT Powered Vehicle LMR1200HP Supercharged C7 8.84 @ 160** LMR1200HP Twin Turbo C7 9.35@155mph-2014 2 TIME OUTLAW DRAG RADIAL LSX CHAMPION 2008/2010 9.47 ZR1 Corvette-2009 FIRST 2010 CAMARO in the 9's-2010 713-466-9900 Latemodelracecraft.com

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01-28-2010, 11:51 AM	#2
Ghost of Vincent Price Banned Drives: 2010 Camaro Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: underground Posts: 374	A cam install is going to run you about $800-1000 typically with out parts. I had my stall put in for $400 with fluids.

01-28-2010, 11:55 AM	#3
Qwkss Drives: Hoopty Winter Beater Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: NKY/Cincinnati Posts: 929	We have a special going on right now..... LS3 Cam Package -Cam -Valve Springs -Titainum Retainers -Locks -Seats -seals -One piece pushrods -Installed -Dyno (Before & After) -Tuned $2000

01-28-2010, 11:56 AM	#4
Ghost of Vincent Price Banned Drives: 2010 Camaro Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: underground Posts: 374	Thats actually a pretty good deal. What springs and pushrods?

01-28-2010, 12:09 PM	#6
Ghost of Vincent Price Banned Drives: 2010 Camaro Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: underground Posts: 374	I know some people have had needle bearings fall out of thier rocker arms, but I ran a thunder racing trex cam in my 98 ss and never had any failure, and I beat on it daily. Furthermore I havent really heard of there being much of a problem since the ls2-3. At that point you might as well buy new rocker arms IMO.

01-28-2010, 01:40 PM	#13
tples69 Blaq Out Drives: Hummer H2, 2010 Camaro RS/2SS Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Itasca, IL Posts: 234 View My Garage	No offense intended but it sounds like this might not be a DYI project you want to tackle. Let it to a PRO IMHO.