L83 Cam Swap

Spurshot · May 19, 2015

A cam in the new DI motor is expensive. You have to pull the pan.....no more gaskets....all sealant.....sucks.

20 hrs of labor.

The LT1 cam itself is cheap from GM at just over $100. An aftermarket cam will run 3-4'times that, plus springs, gasket kit, etc.. Labor is the big end if you're not doing it yourself.

Saw a Lingenfelter video and some others. Nobody mentioned pulling the pan. What's the reason for pulling the pan?

In a truck, the radiator and condenser have to be removed from the path of the cam. On a vette, I would guess pulling the motor would be the way to go.

Higgs Boson · May 19, 2015

on the vette the actual pan has to be removed to do the job, but looking at this trucktrend article, maybe not on the truck, which is awesome.

http://www.trucktrend.com/how-to/engine/1501-2014-chevy-lt1-comp-cam-swap-bigger-bumpstick/

it appears it may just be the dry sump pan on the Z51 needs to be removed for a cam swap. the wet sump pans like in a truck may be ok, making the swap way easier/cheaper.

jaws52 · May 19, 2015

Why would a mild cam be annoying for daily driving?

immediately went through my head too

Spurshot · May 20, 2015

Any update on this? We are all looking to you!

The first online GM dealer cancelled and refunded my order. I just reordered with our website sponsor GM Parts Direct. We'll see if they can get the cam, gaskets, intake manifold, etc.

Spurshot · May 20, 2015

on the vette the actual pan has to be removed to do the job, but looking at this trucktrend article, maybe not on the truck, which is awesome.

http://www.trucktrend.com/how-to/engine/1501-2014-chevy-lt1-comp-cam-swap-bigger-bumpstick/

it appears it may just be the dry sump pan on the Z51 needs to be removed for a cam swap. the wet sump pans like in a truck may be ok, making the swap way easier/cheaper.

It's not obvious why the pan would have to be dropped, even on the vette. Maybe something about the front timing chain cover is different? Just the same, changing a cam in the vette seems to me would be much more work in the vehicle.

Higgs Boson · May 20, 2015

The timing cover and the pan are different from the LS motors. There are also no more gaskets which really makes it suck (and leak prone).

Evanski9 · July 31, 2015

Spurshot did you ever get the LT1 cam installed

Spurshot · July 31, 2015

Not yet. I'm looking for what the recommended GM sealant is for the timing cover.

RobZ71LM7 · July 31, 2015

I've always been an Ultra Copper fan myself that or permatex's "the right stuff". Let us know when you swap the cam and the results.

07Softail · August 1, 2015

Not yet. I'm looking for what the recommended GM sealant is for the timing cover.

Permatex Ultra Gray RTV. It's identical to the GM RTV.

RT

Spurshot · August 1, 2015

Permatex Ultra Gray RTV. It's identical to the GM RTV.

RT

Yeah, they probably make it for the GM packaging. GM doesn't make sealants.

07Softail · August 1, 2015

And Permatex is literally half the price of GM Packaged sealant.

RT

thetruck454 · August 1, 2015

I did the cam/pushrod/valvesprin swap on the 6.0 LQ9 in my 03' myself so I have some experience, but these newer motors appear to be harder. I'm surprised you are going through all the effort for the swap and you are't going for an aftermarket grind. When you factor in the cost of tuning(either buying EFI Live or HP Tuners or having it custom tuned), its almost worth going for something that makes a noticeable difference. Either way I respect anyone that is willing to do their own mechanical work.

kd2dwj · August 7, 2015

_{Can't wait to see when your new cam comes in, been thinking about doing the same thing on mine for awhile}

Spurshot · August 7, 2015

I did the cam/pushrod/valvesprin swap on the 6.0 LQ9 in my 03' myself so I have some experience, but these newer motors appear to be harder. I'm surprised you are going through all the effort for the swap and you are't going for an aftermarket grind. When you factor in the cost of tuning(either buying EFI Live or HP Tuners or having it custom tuned), its almost worth going for something that makes a noticeable difference. Either way I respect anyone that is willing to do their own mechanical work.

I get where you're coming from. You're thinking big power gains. I'm looking for a bit more power, but not willing to kill low end power and loose large numbers of mileage. The factory LT1 grind keeps the full throw of variable cam timing and there should be a minimal mileage impact.