cam question

[LS1 TA]

Do you gentlemen suppose it's possible to swap a cam in a 3rd gen while the engine is still in the car.

[DeWynter]

Yes but you have to pull the Rad, and A/C condencer if you have one. oh and the oil cooler if you have one. and the fans if electrical. Of course you have to pull the mechanical ones to but it already coming off with the water pump. Its pretty much the same amount of work to pull the engine, might be a bit easier out of the engine, but then you have to unhook all lines and wires too to pull the engine. Only problem i see is the amount of room in the engine bay to work and the abuse the fenders are going to get from leaning on them. You still have to remove everything but the heads anyways to do it.

[Christopherrr]

Yes but you have to pull the Rad, and A/C condencer if you have one. oh and the oil cooler if you have one. and the fans if electrical. Of course you have to pull the mechanical ones to but it already coming off with the water pump. Its pretty much the same amount of work to pull the engine, might be a bit easier out of the engine, but then you have to unhook all lines and wires too to pull the engine. Only problem i see is the amount of room in the engine bay to work and the abuse the fenders are going to get from leaning on them. You still have to remove everything but the heads anyways to do it.

hahahaha!!! I'm picturing everything coming off as I read your comment, quite scary and funny all at the same time.

[LS1 TA]

where's the encouragement guys?

[Joe 1320]

Heck yeah, it's not that bad.

[DeWynter]

I'm not saying dont do it, I personally would, and I encourage anyone to do their own work, its much more satisfying. But I never want to candy coat what is involved. Just for a cam swap here is what I feel is necessary(for My car, 89 formula TPI):
Remove Intake to MAF hose (only TPI 86-89)
Remove MAF(only TPI 86-89)
Remove MAF to air filter hose(only 86-89)
Remove Intake to Air filter hose(only 90-92)
Remove Air cleaner(only TBI or Carb)
Remove upper and lower rad hoses
Remove upper rad support
Remove Electric fans (2)
Remove rad
Remove A/C condenser rad
Remove Oil cooler Rad
Remove Intake (TPI or TBI) Includes removing all sensor wires and injector wires)
Remove valve covers
Remove Rockers (or loosen)
Remove push rods
Remove Lifters
Remove Water pump
Remove timing chain cover (may require loosening of the Oil pan)
Remove timing chain and sprocket
Remove Cam

Now just do the opposite!

By no means do I mean to scare anyone, but this isnt the easiest to do while working in a tight third gen engine bay. TPI is worse due to the AIR equipment routing. I havent worked on any TBI cars really, so I cant say if there is more or less room. If you are changing the cam, you might as well do the bearings if you can. Or if the bearings are new I wouldn't. I just cant see an easier way to do it. Just my 2 cents on how to do it.

[casey02ws6]

Sounds just like an LS1 swap - do it yourself - it is not bad!

[LS1 TA]

It's not that bad, the only thing that makes me mad is with the TPI I'm gonna spend about the same amount of money on gaskets as I will the cam.

[DeWynter]

It's not that bad, the only thing that makes me mad is with the TPI I'm gonna spend about the same amount of money on gaskets as I will the cam.

Too true, too true....