Has anyone with little experience been to this site and done a heads and/or cam swap on an ls1? I have minimal experience underneath the hood but am also very interested in doing this myself when the time came. Of course I'd like to avoid hurting the engine at the same time. Any input or suggestions are greatly appreciated

 

The best explanation I have ever heard for projects like this is: "It's pretty straightforward the second time you do it."

Heads and cam swap requires a good set of tools and sometimes afew special tools (something special to pull the lifters on some engines) and a very orderly plan. There is nothing really difficult to doing it yourself.

You need a place where you can leave the car, half disassembled, undistrubed by other peoplke orweather, for periods of however long you can't get to it.

You need to plan the work carefully, i.e., know every step, etc., in an orderly process (e.g., remove the radiator (so you have enough room to access the cam) -- what is involved there? What goes before that? What parts will you need when you put it back in? (Might as well change the hoses for new, etc.). What parts will you need in addition to the obvious (timing cover gaskets, etc.)

It helps to have a full service manual (sequence of head bolts to tighten, torque level), etc.

Best thing to do is find a friend who hasdone this once before and ask for a bit of guidance.

 

Thanks for the reply Lee, I appreciate your time.

I've also heard the same about it not being too terribly difficult, just lengthy. I believe I'm gonna go through the list of tools, pick out what I have and then hit a hardware store to get the rest. Hopefully its not too much money for the tools I'll be needing.

I do have a full service manual handy that I'll probably keep to the side if needed. I do have a garage to keep the car in away from everything and everyone.

Can I get a little more ellaboration from you on all the "etc...?" I really am very inexperienced with the obvious stuff like you started to mention. Like putting the hoses back on for the radiator. You said I might as well change the hoses out, where do I get the hoses and when is a good time to change them, after so many miles? Also you said what parts I will need besides the obvious. Whats the obvious? And what else do I need besides timing cover gaskets? Are these aftermarket parts that go along with the heads and cam swap?