Cam & Blower Upgrade

[rosscob]

My LS6 cam install went badly, even though everything started well. The whipple came off as did the valve covers, rocker arms and valve springs. The new valve springs went in without a hitch and we thought we were home free with only the crank bolt and timing cover to go.

We were wrong. The crank bolt was different from factory because of the extra pulley for the Whipple Charger Drive belt. It requred a 14mm hex head to remove it. Who knew Sears didn't have every tool under the sun. After chasing down a Matco truck and getting to tool we were back in business (4 hours later).

Crank bolt and pulley came right out now. Timing Set and old cam were removed without a hitch.

In goes the new LS6 cam . The assembly went well until the re-install of the whipple. That thing is a Pain! Once it's on the excitement mounts as we prepair to turn the key for the first time.

Man does it run like crap when we do. We figure out it would help if we plugged in the coil pack on the passenger side underneath the whipple. This time it starts and seems to idle well after a couple of sputters. But man those valves are clacking. !!! It would help if we had tightened down the rocker arms on the passenger side.

A much larger problem than the coil pack, because the whipple has to come back off to get at them. This time the assembly goes well, but man that whipple is a pain to mount. Phew!

Only a 13 hour install. I think my truck is possessed. All it's projects seem to go this way.

When the weather clears up I'll be heading to the track to give it a whirl.

[kinjo1977]

I don't know of a supercharger that isn't a pain to put on.
They always give ya this estimate of like 8 to 10 hrs. YEAH RIGHT!!
Sure, might take that long if you have done it a couple hundred times.

[Hit Man X]

Did you get the '01 204/211 cam or the '02+ 204/218 cam?

I always estimate 2-3x the amount of time I think it will take me.

[rosscob]

The cam is an '02 LS6 cam. I'm naive enough about it all that I don't know what the specs are on it. Allen said I should get the one from an '02, so I did. Seems like he always gives good advice. For that matter, I'm amazed about the amount of information you guys on this site have.

You may not know it, but you have all helped me tremendously. So thanks for posting all the good information.

[Tydriver]

I always say its not a "true" automotive project unless you bleed !!

Looks like to me that in the end it will be worth it, sorry you had to make that emergency tool run, atleast it wasnt at like 3am or anything !

[Hit Man X]

Originally posted by Tydriver@Nov 19 2004, 03:43 PM
I always say its not a "true" automotive project unless you bleed !!

Looks like to me that in the end it will be worth it, sorry you had to make that emergency tool run, atleast it wasnt at like 3am or anything !

When I installed the catless uppipe on my WRX I had a bolt snap in HALF on the manifold to uppipe flange! It was crossthreaded from the factory so it snapped like a thin twig when I pulled it out.

I had to run to the 24hr autoparts store for the bolt... I looked like a roach going up there. I was up there around 1.30am or so.



BTW... did you install this cam straight up or advanced?

[vv8]

man i sure am glad i didn't hang around to run ya lol very nice truck you have there. later, kevin

[rosscob]

The cam was installed straight up. I'm not daring enought to not play connect the dots yet.

vv8: I've made the connection now. Thanks! It was good to meet you . I liked the look of your truck also. I know your going to like that shift kit. I'm gonna need something soon, because my tanny is staring to slip.

[vv8]

shit my truck looks good haahaha its just a bone stock truck with a hole in the muffler, now your truck is sweet i sure do miss my other one lol , and yes the shift kit is just plain fun to drive since the tm is gone and shift points up to 6400 something lol hit second and rubber flying every where lol ahhaa

[rosscob]

That is sweet! Exactly what shift kit did you install? I'm looking for a core transmission to build now. I want to make sure I get the good parts for the re-build.