GEN IV Cam Swap - Prices

[pl4yboy]

I wanted to give everyone a break down on what it costs to do a Gen IV cam swap. I only know of 2-3 trucks on this forum that are Gen IV swapped. It is without a doubt more expensive than a Gen III, especially if you have a DOD motor. This is a price breakdown of what I've spent on my 6.2 VVT motor. Some parts are brand new, some are used. I'll include the price of new as well


1) Pat G custom spec'd cam (231/235 .617/.620 113+2) - $320 shipped. I got the cam used, so you'll spend 400$ or so on a new one.

2) Patriot Extreme Springs (.660 lift) w/ Ti retainers - 275$ through SDPC

3) TSP 7.425 pushrods (my cam has a smaller base circle than stock, requiring longer PRs) - $75 shipped on PT.net. They are brand new, unused. Expect to spend $120-$130 on new ones from Comp or Manley

4) VVT Delete kit - $130 shipped from Thunder Racing. This is required if you have a VVT motor

5) SLP Underdrive w/ ARP bolt and belt - $155 shipped. I got the pulley used. It isn't a requirement, I just decided to do it while I had the stock one off. These run for $200 or so new.

6) If you have a DOD motor, you're going to have to get a DOD delete kit. The kit through Thunder Racing (cheapest I've found) is 305$ + shipping. If you don't do this, the DOD lifters will fail and you'll have major problems.

The major thing I wanted to point out here is that you can save a lot of money if you shop around a little. There is nothing wrong with a used part here and there, especially if they were bought and never used. Figure I saved 50$ on the pulled, 75$ on the cam, 50$ on pushrods, and $25 on springs (because SDPC has them way cheap). You can really put some money back if you're careful. I was on a budget and made it happen for around $200 cheaper than it had to be.

If there is interest, I can do a pretty decent write up when I do my cam swap in a few weeks, with pictures.

[graysilverado5.3]

Damn, guess my dd will never get cammed.

[pl4yboy]

Damn, guess my dd will never get cammed.

You could have 1/2 the cost of a well thought out turbo build tied up in it if you aren't careful.

[George C]

or you can keep the DOD setup as some have and get the correct parts to still use the DOD and VVT

[pl4yboy]

or you can keep the DOD setup as some have and get the correct parts to still use the DOD and VVT

Very few have, and very few people can tune for DOD and VVT. At this moment, this is the most practical way. DOD cam's aren't worth a kick in the nuts. The VVT cams are coming around, but I'd like to see more people tuning VVT.

[George C]

pretty simple to get the DOD to work for ya instead of against ya. In the older GM high tech they did VVT cam swaps and the gains were pretty impressive

Very few have, and very few people can tune for DOD and VVT. At this moment, this is the most practical way. DOD cam's aren't worth a kick in the nuts. The VVT cams are coming around, but I'd like to see more people tuning VVT.

[pl4yboy]

pretty simple to get the DOD to work for ya instead of against ya. In the older GM high tech they did VVT cam swaps and the gains were pretty impressive

They did, but very few people can tune for it. Very few people understand it. Also, the DOD... you can't get a cam large enough to make much of a difference. There is no aftermarket DOD lifter that supports a lift higher than .550 or so.

[farmtruc]

VVT cams are worth it, but DoD cams suck. Have you actually spec'd one out Quik and done a DoD cam swap?
If so, you'll know you're limited to basically a .500 lift cam (just estimating), what good is that?
The results are minimal and not worth the cost of labor and parts.

I did a before and after dyno, so I actually know what the results are.

Not a flame on your Quik, but just laying it out for others, do not do a cam swap and keep DoD, it sux!

[George C]

I haven't done one personally

As for under 500 lift or aka stock lift....look into super stock eliminator classes. They have to run stock motors with only changes allowed is duration. They make Good power And run fast times. Local guy has impala Ss and pulls front wheels about 18" with stock lift cam. Runs mid to low 11s and his camaro goes mid 10s
That was just a reference to stock lift comment.

[pl4yboy]

I haven't done one personally

As for under 500 lift or aka stock lift....look into super stock eliminator classes. They have to run stock motors with only changes allowed is duration. They make Good power And run fast times. Local guy has impala Ss and pulls front wheels about 18" with stock lift cam. Runs mid to low 11s and his camaro goes mid 10s
That was just a reference to stock lift comment.

They still aren't worth it. The reliability of DOD lifters is junk...