01-04-2016, 08:38 PM | #1 |
Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Ft Wayne, Indiana
Posts: 16
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Second thoughts on cam swap
Getting ready to do my cam swap, but after reading about all these guys that are having problems after the swap I'm getting a little worried about it. Am I just over thinking this or are problems after a cam normal?
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01-04-2016, 08:39 PM | #2 |
Drives: pleather and Chiclets Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: a line somwhere
Posts: 4,206
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No prob with mine post cam 40k miles
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01-04-2016, 08:42 PM | #3 |
'It's an experiment'
Drives: [COTW 2/09/15] '11 GPI LSA SC Z/LE Join Date: May 2014
Location: Dallas TX
Posts: 8,694
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Take your time, take pictures as you go (before uninstall too so you know where everything goes back). RobertWay's guide is the one to read -- even has video to help. If you pay attention, you'll be fine -- don't skimp -- if you're replacing the cam and have not done the oil pump, you'll want to do that also -- along with a chain -- this would be a great time for a 3 bolt cam (since you're an LS3). You may also want to consider upgrading your tensioner too (dog bone LS2/LS7 if you're going full 3 bolt upgrade). I'm assuming you're also replacing your springs -- RobertWays' guide shows that too...
-Don
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01-04-2016, 08:50 PM | #4 |
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Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: May 2012
Location: NJ
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Are you talking about problems with the install or problems down the road after the install?
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01-04-2016, 09:01 PM | #5 |
Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Ft Wayne, Indiana
Posts: 16
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Problems down the road. I've read some posts about some guys even having problems on first start up.
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01-04-2016, 09:12 PM | #6 |
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Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: May 2012
Location: NJ
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I was looking at getting a nice mild cam. But then I started hearing about how you have to get Trunions and this and that...and it turned a $400 cam into a $1700 ordeal. On top of that I read that some people who bought cams initially had failures because they were 1-bolt cams. So then I guess 3-bolt cams became available. But then some people had problems because they didn't upgrade the oil pump...and then some people had problems because it was a high volume pump instead of a high pressure pump or vice-versa. And then some people over-revved their engines and it was fine at first but then down the line the engine was trashed. And then others had problems with the self-install...one guy a few threads down trashed his engine. All in all it turned me off. For what you'll pay for everything these companies recommend for a cam install, plus the dyno tune you'll need, plus if you can't do it yourself you'll have to have it in the shop, that all will come out to around $4K. And for what? Even if you got 50 hp that isn't worth it. If anything, I'd rather save the money and go with forced induction.
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01-04-2016, 10:07 PM | #7 | |
Drives: 5th gen Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: DFW
Posts: 29
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Quote:
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01-04-2016, 10:14 PM | #8 |
Drives: 2014 SS Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 369
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At first I was skeptical of a cam swap as well, but honestly I'll be in the hole thing for roughly $2500 with dyno tune by doing the work myself and shopping around.
The key is to take the necessary upgrades as gold, and replace the moving parts affected by the swap. The more I read about guys binning the motors the more I realized it was a lot of people cutting corners and cheaping out. Do it right, do it once.
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01-04-2016, 10:16 PM | #9 |
Drives: 2010 aqua blue SS/RS M6 Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: plainfield, IL
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Stop reading about things that can go wrong! Focus on what your doing and what is required to do the job, everything will turn out fine! My car has been cammed for 20k miles, single bolt, stock oil pump, stock timing chain!
I plan on going larger cam this year and still using a single bolt, still stock oil pump, and stock chain. Not problem with these parts when the install is correct
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01-04-2016, 10:42 PM | #10 |
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I said $4K if you have to pay for the install, all the parts, tuner, and the dyno tuning.
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01-05-2016, 07:35 AM | #11 |
Lake Erie Monster
Drives: 02 Hyundai Santa Fe and 13 300 Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Ohio
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It boils down to what you want to achieve and what you're prepared for if something does fail. Just know that there is tons of info and experience here, should you run into any problems. Just know that if something catastrophic does happen, all you'll get is condolences as well.
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01-05-2016, 08:55 PM | #12 |
Drives: A wrench Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: East Atlanta
Posts: 353
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If good quality products are used, all the parts are installed correctly, a professional tune is performed and the proper lubricants are used you will have absolutely no issues installing a cam. We put camshafts in cars 10 years ago that are now pushing 100K miles with no issues. Same cam, same lifters. Only changed the valve springs.
However, skimping out on any part of that list I just typed can cause an issue. |
01-05-2016, 09:22 PM | #13 |
Drives: 2015 Camaro SS 1LE, 2001 Camaro SS Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Miami
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Do it right and you shouldn't have problems... Simple as that.
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01-05-2016, 09:31 PM | #14 |
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Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 3,418
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3 years and no issues
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