Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

Going to be making a little change with the G8. Previously I was running the Vector Motorsport's Stage 2.5 camshaft with the GMPP LS3 CNC heads. For more details on the old setup you can find the build thread here.

The new setup I am working on will be a custom spec'd Lunati camshaft from Rick Crawford. Also the setup will include Rick's ported and milled heads.

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

Today is the first day that I started working on the build. Put in about 7-8 hours on the car and made some pretty good progress.
http://i.imgur.com/tsKJjfKh.jpg

Here is the results of the work today:
http://i.imgur.com/WFUx4lyh.jpg

Parts removed:
http://i.imgur.com/96COzATh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/nM04Sfah.jpg

One Head removed:
http://i.imgur.com/uZ42SXmh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/hKnm6i8h.jpg

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

What kind of power is this new setup going to make?

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

I'm not positive about this. I'm thinking that the new setup will yield similar Horsepower and Torque numbers (+/- 15RWHP/ 15RWTQ).

One of the biggest reasons that I'm doing this is because I feel my old cam would be better suited with a bigger stall than what I currently run (Yank SS3200).

My goal is to regain some more low and mid range power and have a more useable powerband. My current setup feels a bit lazy with the high LSA in the cam with a stall that is probably too small.

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

Worked on the car a little bit more yesterday and made some small progress.

Removed the valve springs and stems from the head:
http://i.imgur.com/ATZrEK8h.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/tsHAMOEh.jpg

Removed the crank pulley off the crank, air tools ftw.
http://i.imgur.com/bhUH2Yvh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/mQtJWkoh.jpg

Also I was able to get the lifter trays and lifters removed from the engine. The lifters look like they are in great shape. I can see about half of the camshaft ant it also appears to be in great shape with nothing more than normal wear and tear visible.

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

Damn you just don't quit! What's the specs on the new cam??

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

Lunati custom grind 223/231 .610/617 112+0

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

Awesome! You'll definitely get good mid-range out of that.

I still need to dyno mine since the FAST install, but might not get to it since I may be getting a snail come winter... :)

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

What are the specs on your cam?

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

238 / 240 - .600" / .600" - 112 LSA + 2

Not boost-friendly with the 112 so I'll get a new one come winter...

Pre-FAST dyno:

http://oi45.tinypic.com/i3bbdy.jpg

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

Update: Worked on the car some more tonight. Was able to get the crank plate and the remaining head removed.

The Torx bolts in the cam plate are quite the task! These bolts are stuck in that cam plate and I broke 2 different T40 Torx attachments trying to remove them. We ended up getting 2 of them removed but the other 2 are still stuck.

Looks like I'll need to go back to Sears and have the Craftsman T40 replaced.

Cam is very close to being swapped out.

Heads removed
http://i.imgur.com/CO0pHv3h.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/C90ENpVh.jpg

Valves removed from heads (btw, these LS3 CNC ported heads are for sale!)
http://i.imgur.com/On1mXeSh.jpg

Here are the suborn bolts that broke my 2 T40 Torx attachments
http://i.imgur.com/AOrcc0E.jpg

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

Here is the aftermath of the Craftsman T40 Torx Socket
http://i.imgur.com/sQ7BNUC.jpg

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

Wow, that is some torque to break that torx bit. If I was still in the market for LS3 heads I might be interested... only a year too late.

Good luck with the project, want to see results of new new cam on the dyno.

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

Knox, make sure to heat those bolts nice and good, Harbor Freight has impact ready Torx bits you can use the impact on for pretty cheap. That should solve this issue you are having getting them to break loose.

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

Thanks for the tip on the bolts. Looks like I'll need to get a propane torch along with some Impact sockets like these and giver ir hell:

http://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece...set-67896.html

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

Well I went to Sears today and got a replacement Torx T40 socket today. When I got home I figured I would give the cam bolts one more try. I ended up using an impact wrench and the last 2 bolts came out!

Cam swap in progress...

http://i.imgur.com/nRHpaRZ.jpg

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

Nice!

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

Done working with the car for the night. Was able to get the old cam removed, and the new cam installed. Really happy to be past those cam bolts.

VMS 2.5 cam removed:
http://i.imgur.com/WVn05vJh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/uXQFwoDh.jpg

Out with the old, in with the new!
http://i.imgur.com/POPOJoXh.jpg

New Lunatic cam installed and cam plate put back on:
http://i.imgur.com/d4CZU5Hh.jpg

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

Worked on the car a little bit this morning. Got the timing gear back on along with the crank cover.

We noticed a gouge on the outside of my crank pulley. I'm going to end up replacing it, along with a new crank cover seal that must be causing it.
http://i.imgur.com/ANjRpqbh.jpg

Clean pistons versus dirty piston
http://i.imgur.com/idqV4Dkh.jpg

Cleaned up the pistons and heads
http://i.imgur.com/HKLbZ6Kh.jpg

Engine is ready to mate with some fresh Crawford heads now
http://i.imgur.com/AtDsXoSh.jpg

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

Those are some flat top pistons! Looking good. I think I'm going to run an ls setup next.

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

Here are the old cam specs that I removed from the car if anyone was interested.

Comp 227/239 .613/.623 LSA 114+5

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

Is the cam good for boost?

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

The old cam is boost friendly if that's what your asking

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

Yes. Pm info and price. I have a boasted 5.3

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

PM sent

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

Looking good man!

Dumb question, something looks wierd towards the bottom part of this piston. Just a goofy camera shadow effect thing or is there really a gap there?
http://i.imgur.com/HKLbZ6Kh.jpg

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

I think what you are seeing in piston 1 is some oil pooling at the bottom of the cylinder. After I cleaned the pistons with some carb cleaner, I put some oil around each cylinder wall while it sits for a bit for the heads arrive.

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

Big motor power ftw.

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

I picked up a new Underdrive pulley to replace the OEM crank pulley that has the huge gouge in it.

Also I picked up a new crank seal to hopefully mitigate the risk of the new Underdrive pulley getting gouged as well.

In a holding pattern at this point for the pulley and heads to arrive so I can put this beast back together. Getting excited...

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

What UD did you go with? ARP, Powerbond, SLP?

Coming along well - time for a new intake mani too!

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

I went with the SLP Underdrive.

I already have a Rick Crawford ported intake manifold. It actually was flow tested, dyno tested, and track tested against the FAST 102 and yielded better results.

He does something more than just porting the size of the manifolds, he builds some sort of structure on the inside that helps the air tumble more efficiently.

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

LOL, I still don't buy that his intake mani is better, I think he blowing hot air at you.

I am sure its better than stock and for the price/performance factor it probably makes more sense. But hard to argue with every other LS platform out there that has awesome results with the FAST.

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

The stock LS3 and LS7 intakes are actually quite good compared to the old LS2/6 manifolds, especially when ported they can keep up with a Fast 102. Not sure which one Knoxville started out with though.

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

Well maybe I stand corrected ;)

I just have a hard time believing the guy selling the stuff, of course he will talk it up, he needs to make money.

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

Take a look at Crawfords facebook page and search for "Let the games begin! Ported FAST 102 .vs Rick Crawford AirRam L76." Read the comments for flow test results:
https://www.facebook.com/RickCrawfor...ation=timeline

For more information about Rick Crawfords ported Intake Manifold and many success stories:
http://g8nation.com/showthread.php?t=30615

Many people in the G8 community have seen gains with Rick Crawfords Airram Manifold. He is not just blowing "Hot air" at us. As you can see here he picked up gains on the dyno of an already typically ported intake manifold, and this test was done independently of Rick (search for "Rick Crawford Intake manifold ported results"):
https://www.facebook.com/pages/New-E...e/392922230272

The FAST 102 costs over twice as much, weighs much more than the stock manifold, and hasn't yield gains that are worth it to me.

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

Huh. Sounds like every parts maker out there to me. ;)

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

I'm getting excited for the new beef

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

The LS6 is actually pretty damn good. Most claim you'll outflow the 243 heads before the mani. The LS1 and 2 are complete junk though.

Get everything wrapped up yet, Knox?

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

He is out of town right now, i think this weekend he is targeting to finish it up.

Re: Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread
 

Just got home from a business trip yesterday. Picked up my new Rick Crawford heads and started working on the car. Made some progress, and this beast is getting closer to completion. Really looking forward to this first startup.

New Rick Crawford Heads:
http://i.imgur.com/fsFsd2Mh.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/heqNuz1h.jpg

Installed heads, pushrods, rocker arms, headers, under drive pulley, power steering pump:
http://i.imgur.com/wJJHwVrh.jpg