[Tannero]

Hey everyone.

I have a 2018 SS and just bought a 2021ZL1.
ZL one is fast as hell to begin with and I just put a XE exhaust on and it sounds awesome.

I’m just wondering I do like the sound of a highlift Cam, how hard and expensive is that to put in a LT four engine.

I would probably pay somebody but all I really want out of it is that nice highlift cam sound the car is fast enough performance is great.

Anyone have experience with just a Cam job I don’t know how much else you’d have to do if you put a high of Cam in?

[RobZL1]

I wouldn't say it's hard, but it's time consuming regardless of if you do it yourself or pay somebody. Not nearly as easy or cheap as the LS motors. See several of our build threads for an idea of what you'd be getting into.

[atx_traveler]

Why not cam the SS instead?

[ZLRob]

Originally Posted by RobZL1

I wouldn't say it's hard, but it's time consuming regardless of if you do it yourself or pay somebody. Not nearly as easy or cheap as the LS motors. See several of our build threads for an idea of what you'd be getting into.

This right here through and through. These aren't as simple as LS cars anymore indeed.

[Tannero]

Thanks guys. Will go see the build forum.
Could cam the SS but my wife has that car now and it would drive me nuts hearing that car cammed before mine but is an idea if it’s a lot easier

[SOCAL.M6.ZLE]

Originally Posted by RobZL1

I wouldn't say it's hard, but it's time consuming regardless of if you do it yourself or pay somebody. Not nearly as easy or cheap as the LS motors. See several of our build threads for an idea of what you'd be getting into.

Well said Rob. I agree it's not a terrible job, but because there are alot of ways to mess this up, you have to have an experienced friend, our some sharp skills. I have heard of labor costing between $4-5k for the install only... which is one reason why alot of people end up wanting to do this DIY. What did you decide?

[KingLT1]

It will cost 5-7k for a cam install with parts, labor, fluids, and tune. It's not hard but it's a lengthy process. Super easy to miss steps. You basically have to tear the engine down to the short block, for that reason a lot of shops pull the engine to complete the job.

[Smokin19]

To do the cam correctly and utilize it's potential there will be other parts involved. You should also be thinking, lifters, pushrods, springs and rockers to name a few. Not to mention fueling needs like a bigger throttle body. Try to think more in terms of a how each component is needed to support the other to get the best return. JMO

[christianchevell]

I would say with your location talk to Jannetty......

[clg82]

The shop I’ve been talking too says they don’t pull the engine for a cam install. What’s the good/bad of doing it this way aside from maybe saving time on labor.

[RobZL1]

Originally Posted by clg82

The shop I’ve been talking too says they don’t pull the engine for a cam install. What’s the good/bad of doing it this way aside from maybe saving time on labor.

Some shops do it this way.

In the car:
- Remove the radiator+HX+a/c pack, and discharge/recharge the A/C
- Clean off the gasket surfaces, bolt holes, etc. at odd angles

If it matters to you, you cannot hold the back of the cam while torquing the crap out of the cam bolt (unless you go with a 3-bolt cam where it won't matter). The risk here is stretching the timing chain, though most don't seem to care.

Out of the car:
- Don't have to pull the radiator pack or discharge the A/C
- Can clean everything with easy access
- Can grab the back of the cam and also inspect clutch or flex plate

Six of one, half a dozen of the other. To me, it certainly seems easier out of the car, but then again I'm turning into an old man who doesn't like to contort his body any more than necessary.

I'm sure it's a little less time consuming to leave it in the car, but several of the folks on this forum who have done it both ways have said they would likely just pull the motor given a choice.

I know most of the spotless-reputation shops (Vengeance, Katech, JRE) all pull the motor.

[2023_ZL1-AUTO]

When you add a CAM (if it's a lot different than the factory CAM specs), with everything else being the same. Do you lose boost vs boost you had before adding the CAM? Like not much, but still loose say like 2psi to 3psi?

[KingLT1]

Anytime you increase flow on the outlet side of the compressor you will see a drop in boost psi. And anytime you increase flow on the inlet side of the compressor you will increase boost psi. How much gain/loss in psi varies on how much restriction was prior and how much flow was increased.

[SOCAL.M6.ZLE]

Originally Posted by clg82

The shop I’ve been talking too says they don’t pull the engine for a cam install. What’s the good/bad of doing it this way aside from maybe saving time on labor.

Although I have no experience in doing a cam install "in car" I have taken it down enough where I could... and having done my "out of the car" along with an oil pump... I can tell you that I would NEVER want to do it "in car" even if there was a time savings.

Although, putting my "business owner" cap on.. I could see a benefit of reduced liability by keeping the motor in the car, so my guess is that it could be based on liability / risk... not necessarily time.

I am confident that an experienced shop could do it either way with success.
For me, I did NOT want to be leaning in for all of the work, and did not want to mess with the oil pan on my back... so pulling the engine, being able to have better access to all components, as well as the ability to rotate the engine was a plus...

Hope that helps.