DIY: LS3 Camshaft Install (a lot of pictures, may take a moment to load)

[vroomapunk]

Originally Posted by Barbarino

How many hours did it take for you to do the cam install?

I took my time, did it in my garage, had to get a handheld tuner to work, had to leave and get a tool, supplies, etc a couple times in the middle of it, plus it was like 25 degrees so I was moving a little slower. It took me 3 days if I remember correctly. plus maybe a couple extra hours adding fluid/checking levels, etc. Working from around 8-7 each day. Taking breaks too.

I had to drop the trans, take the heads off, etc etc. And I did 95% of it by myself. If I had to do it again it would take me half the time if not even less. It was my first time doing anything like this, and I had to learn as I went.

It would be so easy to do on an ls3, I dont see why you couldnt do it in a day lol, no lifters to change, no trans/bellhousing bolts/driveshaft to drop and then put back in, heads stay on, etc.

[BFASTNOTLAST]

Originally Posted by vroomapunk

I took my time, did it in my garage, had to get a handheld tuner to work, had to leave and get a tool, supplies, etc a couple times in the middle of it, plus it was like 25 degrees so I was moving a little slower. It took me 3 days if I remember correctly. plus maybe a couple extra hours adding fluid/checking levels, etc. Working from around 8-7 each day. Taking breaks too.

I had to drop the trans, take the heads off, etc etc. And I did 95% of it by myself. If I had to do it again it would take me half the time if not even less. It was my first time doing anything like this, and I had to learn as I went.

It would be so easy to do on an ls3, I dont see why you couldnt do it in a day lol, no lifters to change, no trans/bellhousing bolts/driveshaft to drop and then put back in, heads stay on, etc.

I also used this DIY for my first cam swap and I will use it again in a few weeks for the next cam I put in. For sure with a LS3 its a snap. This has to be one of the best DIY I have come across yet....

[Mean Green Z28]

Great write-up!

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[tlwarren08]

Awesome write up man...How long would ya'll say is save to drive on a new cam, headers and cutouts, and CAI without a tune? I want to do this with my dad when I'm on block leave, but would have to drive from NE Arkansas 16 hrs to CO springs, unless I went to a shop in Memphis for a tune.

[BowlingSS]

Originally Posted by tlwarren08

Awesome write up man...How long would ya'll say is save to drive on a new cam, headers and cutouts, and CAI without a tune? I want to do this with my dad when I'm on block leave, but would have to drive from NE Arkansas 16 hrs to CO springs, unless I went to a shop in Memphis for a tune.

I would not drive that far without a tune. You could try a SCT tune. You tell them what you have and they send you a tune. I heard they work great. You can at least get close until you can do some logging and see where you are at. You do not want to burn the engine up by running too lean.
Headers and CAI would be no problem but the cam could.

Good luck.
Bill

[tc Bosnian]

Awesome DIY write-up!!! Bc of this I'll do my own cam swap.. Thank you!!! But I do have a question why not use an air gun to get that harmonic balancer bolt out?

[BowlingSS]

Originally Posted by tc Bosnian

Awesome DIY write-up!!! Bc of this I'll do my own cam swap.. Thank you!!! But I do have a question why not use an air gun to get that harmonic balancer bolt out?

My air gun would not break it loose. Not even close.

Bill

[tc Bosnian]

Originally Posted by BowlingSS

My air gun would not break it loose. Not even close.

Bill

Oh wow! I will try with my gun and if not that, I will use my big ars breaker bar...

[Mean Green Z28]

Never had an issue breaking anything loose with my IR 1/2" gun! It'll break a bolt before it gives up, lol ... I swear its a factory freak!!!

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[tc Bosnian]

well my gun is pretty damn strong I'm just hoping its strong enough to break it loose.

[Baer383]

It comes right off just put the car in gear and put a extension on a breaker bar and pull no problem.

[Snidely Whiplash]

Excellent post. Way too much junk in the way for an old fart with spinal stenosis to DIY anymore. As a guy that built MANY a small block (and about a dozen big block) Chevy motors in my time, I applaud your attention to detail.

Just my $0.02
Assembly lube is NOT optional. Yeah, it's a roller cam...cam lobes are not likely to be damaged upon startup....but assembly lube is great insurance. In my experience, assembly lube is a must for the cam journals as to not score the cam bearings. Assembly lube is also a must (ESPECIALLY WITH ROLLER CAM SPRING PRESSURES) on the ends of your new pushrods. I would also use it on those new bearings in the rockers, the top of the valve stems (you changed the springs and likely left no oil on the stem top).
Moly based assembly lube is great stuff and a little goes a long way.

I'm the new guy, so if I'm outta line, tell me. Old farts that used to buy leaded premium gas for $0.27/gallon have thick skin, a dry sense of humor, a tad tempermental, but have a TON of mechanic know-how because we had to MAKE parts 'cause they were not made or we were too broke to buy 'em.

[Baer383]

I used this and it puts oil thru the whole engine before start up ,works great

[maddoggyusa]

Originally Posted by Mean Green Z28

Never had an issue breaking anything loose with my IR 1/2" gun! It'll break a bolt before it gives up, lol ... I swear its a factory freak!!!

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yea, I have the $250 IR Titanium gun... it's a beast. almost every shop I've been to has this gun.

not all air guns are created equally.