Knoxville's Heads 'n Cam Swap Build Thread

Knoxville · 08-10-2013

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.

Knoxville · 08-10-2013

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.

Here is the results of the work today:

Parts removed:

One Head removed:

93gtpeater · 08-11-2013

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

Knoxville · 08-11-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by 93gtpeater

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

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.

Knoxville · 08-12-2013

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

Removed the valve springs and stems from the head:

Removed the crank pulley off the crank, air tools ftw.

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.

JohnnyT · 08-12-2013

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

Knoxville · 08-12-2013

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

JohnnyT · 08-12-2013

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...

Knoxville · 08-13-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyT

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...

What are the specs on your cam?

JohnnyT · 08-13-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knoxville

What are the specs on your cam?

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:

Knoxville · 08-14-2013

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

Valves removed from heads (btw, these LS3 CNC ported heads are for sale!)

Here are the suborn bolts that broke my 2 T40 Torx attachments

Knoxville · 08-14-2013

Here is the aftermath of the Craftsman T40 Torx Socket

**asshanson** · 08-15-2013

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.

simulatedwood · 08-15-2013

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.

Knoxville · 08-15-2013

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

Knoxville · 08-16-2013

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...

turbotalon1g · 08-16-2013

Nice!

Knoxville · 08-16-2013

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:

Out with the old, in with the new!

New Lunatic cam installed and cam plate put back on:

Knoxville · 08-17-2013

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.

Clean pistons versus dirty piston

Cleaned up the pistons and heads

Engine is ready to mate with some fresh Crawford heads now

Mark Leasure · 08-18-2013

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