cam swap ?
 

never done one in a ls1. i have done many in gn's and typhoons.

i have ms4 cam
push rods
prc double springs

what else may i need? i want to have everything before i start on it. any special tools needed?

Valve spring compressor

Matching valvespring retainers and locks, seats, and valvestem seals.

Pushrod measuring tool so you don't install the wrong length rods and end up w/ noisy valvetrain.

Loctite for cam sprocket bolts.

New balancer bolt, puller, installation tool. (disregard any advice to install the balancer using a bolt)

Accurate torque wrench.

keep in mind a normal sbc balancer installer will NOT work, (maybe high end ones will, but average wont)
i used the autozone loan-a-tool installer and it didnt work... until i cut and modified the tool, and now i own and LS1 balancer installer, hehe.

are there still the tools available to hold the lifters up in place while doing the cam?
when i did my cam install, i just flipped the motor upside down on the stand and didnt have to worry about the lifters falling.

RAIST-

Are you doing this install on a stock block with stock heads? You may run in to piston to valve clearance issues. TSP recommends that you check clearance with that cam since it is so close....Not to mention stock heads/intake wont flow where that cam is designed to make power.

You should buy a pushrod length checker before just installing whatever pushrods you have. The MS4 has high lift, fast ramping cam lobes that are going to beat your valvetrain to ****, especially if you plan to reuse your stock ls1 lifters. (You would have to remove the heads to change them)

I hope the PRC springs you have are the high lift rating...MS4 is advertised at 0.649 lift on the intake, and base PRC spring kit is rated to 0.650 lift. Also, you would need retainers for the dual springs if you didnt buy the PRC kit; stock retainers wont fit.

With that said,

Thunderracing sells a machined tool....at $105 :shock:...sometimes you can find these on ebay for $40
http://www.thunderracing.com/catalog/summaries/s108.jpg

Or, you can go to Home Depot and buy 5/16" wooden dowel rods.

There are a bunch of people on ls1tech that sell custom pulley installers; basically a threaded rod design.

Assuming you have all the tools necessary, torque wrench, good spring compressor for the duals, etc....

You need:
Timing Cover Gasket
2 water pump gaskets
front crank seal
spark plugs
Crank Pulley Bolt
Assembly lube, coolant, high temp rtv, oil, oil filter, loctite

You should consider replacing the oil pump and oring, and upgrade the timing chain while the front cover is off.

Install walk through: http://ls1howto.com/index.php?article=23

and air & adapter to hold the valve up in place.


new car craft just happens to have an article on changing springs in an LS motor. they show a nifty $100 comp cam spring tool. not really sure if that is needed, doesn't seem much different on top than a sbc but I have not done springs on an ls motor so i defer to experience.


KirkE is dead-on on checking push rod length. you simply must do that.

thx guys. i may just sell the cam swap and buy a pro charger or turbo kit. doesnt seem i have the tool needed to work on the ls1.