I'm having a new cam put in to my 98 v6. I'm not doing it myself im having an engine guy do it. But I want to know everything im going to need to swap it. just a straight list, because i know when you change the cam shaft youre supposed to change all sorts of little things to make sure your engine handles it well. so can i get a straight list of all the things im going to need before i start this project? or a link?

 

Besides the cam, you will need new valve springs matched to the cam's needs, push rods of the proper lenght, possibly new lifters, front cover gasket, oil pan gasket (maybe), intake gasket set, valve cover gaskets, water pump gaskets. A valve job is also a good idea if the engine is high mileage, which then will call for new head gaskets, & new head bolts. Get a repair manual for your particular car, it will let you know all that is needed.

 

Good list! These are exactly the things I did when I installed my cam.

 

Don't forget to get a quart of break in oil and break the cam in by holding the car at 2k-2500 rpms for 20 mins, then changing the oil and filter right after that. Add another quart of break in oil to the new oil, drive for about 2500 miles very easily, don't go running it hard or you can wipe a cam lobe. After 2500 miles change the oil again and your good to go

 

What you're describing is the break-in procedure for flat tappet lifters, like what's in your 3.4. The 3.8 has roller lifters which don't require a break-in procedure like that, since the rollers glide nicely along the cam lobes instead of being dragged. Roller lifters don't wipe cam lobes like flat tappets can. That's also why Pete said "maybe" about needing new lifters. You can reuse old rollers on a new different cam, provided they aren't worn out. You can't do that with flat tappets.

 

If you get a cam that is anything more than the stock cam was you will need to have the engine tuned to the new cam. If you do need valve springs you should remove the head to replace them. I know there are ways to do it on car but I have found that those ways are more trouble than they are worth. Here is my list.

Head gasket set (all the gaskets needed to pull the heads)
Front timing cover set
Timing gears
oil pump (might as well since you are right here)
Lifters (if needed)
water pump (they are cheap and it is piece of mind)
coolant elbows

If your cam is larger than stock add this.
Valve springs that match cam's requirements
Valve job (new guides if needed)
pushrods (if the cam requires them)
Rockers (again if the cam requires them)
Dyno tune or PCM4Less tune
Larger injectors
Higher capacity fuel pump
better intake and exhaust to help the engine breathe


I think that is all I can think of off the top of my head

Massey

 

Oh I was unaware that the 3.8 has roller lifters. My bad I would still get a new set and put em in while you are there.