LS1 Cam Change


#1 Removal of damper: These instructions essentially mirror the GM. service instructions which specifically covers the LS1 Camaro. All other applications are similar. Note that the GM. instructions are the recommended method for replacing a damper. You may not have all of the recommended tools available
and may not be able to completely follow these directions. If, after reading the instructions, you do not feel you have the equipment to perform this operation, we suggest you take your vehicle, or engine, to a GM. dealer or professional mechanic to have the job done. A damper removal tool is required.
The recommended damper removal tool (Kent Moore #J41816) must be used for removing the stock GM. damper. Remove the damper crank bolt but do not discard it. You will need it later. You will also need a new replacement bolt from your GM. dealer, part #12557840. When using the puller you will need to have the engine locked in position. This can be accomplished by using a Flywheel Holding Tool (Kent Moore #J42386-A), or you can wedge a large screwdriver into the flywheel teeth. To access the flywheel may require the removal of the following, depending on your specific vehicle: A/C drive belt, starter motor, right transmission cover, transmission oil cooler lines, and power steering cooler. Place the Flywheel Holding Tool into position and make sure that the teeth of the Holding Tool mesh with the teeth of the flywheel. The bolts holding this tool to the block must be tightened to 37 lb. ft. Place the #J41816-2 Crankshaft End Protector on the end of the crank snout. Position the #J41816 damper puller into position and hook ends over flange on face of damper. Tighten center bolt until damper pulls off crank. Remove the puller and end protector from damper.
   

Cam Selection:

Our choice for this project was a Comp Cam. This selection should get us around 425HP

Specs:

Gross Valve Lift Intake: .598 Exhaust .605

Duration @ .050 Intake 234 Exhaust 238

Lobe Separation 115.0

#1 Removing Damper

#2 Unbolt the timing chain cover.

#3 Timing Chain removal.

#4. Keep the roller lifter from droping down.

Installing new cam

 #2. Make sure all 16 rocker arms have been removed away from the valve stems. Unbolt the timing cover. There are 10 bolts holding the timing cover to the engine, 8 on the front, and 2 on the bottom front of the motor. Remove all 10 10mm bolts. Remove the timing cover once all bolts are out. Once the timing cover is removed, you can see into the oil pan. Stuff a clean small towel into the front lip of the oil pan just in case you drop a bolt.
#3. The cam gear mounted to the end of the camshaft and is held on by 3 10mm bolts. The big metal block at the bottom is the oil pump. Unbolt the 3 cam gear bolts and remove the gear, letting the chain droop down into the oil pan. Thread 3 of the water pump bolts into the front of the cam and then spin the cam several times both directions. Unbolt the cam retainer plate that is held on with 4 10mm bolts and remove it.

#4. To keep the roller lifters from dropping down, We fabed up 2 long 3/8" OD rods. To install them we first lubed them up with some oil and slide them into the 2 holes in the front of the motor. The rods have a slot machined on on side. This allows the rods to slide underneath the lifters. Once both are in, rotate the rods CCW to snug them up to the lifters. The lifters are locked into place making it impossible for them to fall.
Now that the lifters are up off the cam, there is nothing keeping the cam in there. Grip the bolts on the end of the cam, and gently start pulling the cam out while trying to keep it supported and level with the bolts. Be gentle with this part. The cam will need to be slowly spun as you are removing it. This allows the cam lobes to pass through the cam bearings. Don't force the cam if it feels like it's caught, just keep turning until it wants to naturally slide out more with gentle force. Once the camshaft is out enough, use 2 hands to leverage the end of the cam to keep the whole camshaft even, rather than dragging it out of the engine. Once you support the cam with two hands you'll see it's much easier to remove.

LS1 Cam Video

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