LE2 Heads/Cam Install Help - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

SeanC · 04-22-2012, 08:35 AM

Hey guys,

I'm going to be installing LE2 heads/cam in my car soon, and wanted to make a thread to see if you guys could help me through it...I've had the heads off in the car once, and I remember it was pretty tight (never had the cam out).

Would you consider dropping the k-member? I've never done it before and am a little intimidated. I don't have access to any easy ways to lift the car, so i'm going to have to figure something out to get the car high enough. It seems like the general consensus is to just do heads/cam in the car, but I also have to put a new clutch in while I do the swap (have a stock clutch right now). Seems like it would make life a heck of a lot easier to drop it, plus i'll be able to clean up the engine bay. What do you think?

LTb1ow · 04-22-2012, 08:40 AM

You will need a pair of tall jack stands, and a cherry picker at minimum to pull the car off the engine/trans.

Is it worth it? I would say if you have the time and want to clean up the engine bay, yes.

You will need to add in bleeding the brakes to the list of things to do afterwords though.

MyFirstZ · 04-22-2012, 09:39 AM

If this car could be down a while I would do it that way.

sweetbmxrider · 04-22-2012, 05:29 PM

What kind of work space do you have? If it was me, hell yes I'd drop the k. While the heads are off, you might want to convert the steam pipe to pushlok or something similar and do away with the banjo bolts and seals.

SeanC · 04-22-2012, 06:13 PM

Unfortunately my work space is just about as bad as it gets haha. I have a dirt driveway, so either way, the job is going to be a pain. I guess i'm used to it by now...can't wait to get a house with an actual garage, or even a paved driveway would be nice! haha. And the car can be down for awhile, its not my daily driver (but dont want it to be a project that sits around for months..)

sweetbmxrider · 04-22-2012, 06:15 PM

Well its nice that you are in the open. Just take care and place something under the stands that will prevent them from sinking into the ground. I usually use old rotors. If you don't want to wrestle the trans on your back, I would drop the k.

LTb1ow · 04-22-2012, 06:31 PM

Yea and make sure you will be able to wheel the engine/trans assembly out when its on the ground. If you have a strut tower brace, throw that back on and it should keep the wheels straight and the K off the ground. Throw a dolly under the trans tailshaft and wheel her out.

Featherburner · 04-22-2012, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

What kind of work space do you have? If it was me, hell yes I'd drop the k. While the heads are off, you might want to convert the steam pipe to pushlok or something similar and do away with the banjo bolts and seals.

splain?

LTb1ow · 04-22-2012, 08:25 PM

Albeit fancy, but same idea, cept with push lok stuff

sweetbmxrider · 04-22-2012, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Featherburner

splain?

Those a/c style seals love to leak and aren't the most fun to change in the car. I'd rather a fitting with some goop than 4 potential leak spots. Also, those steam pipes love to clog up with the nastiest of nasty so its probably a good idea to help the flow of coolant back.

Featherburner · 04-22-2012, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LTb1ow

Albeit fancy, but same idea, cept with push lok stuff

I haven't seen the pushlok setup. I was wondering if he had an example.

Lt1_8U · 04-22-2012, 08:33 PM

im not sure where your putting the motor together and if it will be together when you are going to reinstall it but make sure that no dirt or anything gets into that motor, biggest thing is to keep it clean, but I agree with the other guys, ive pulled the motor both ways and dropping the K is the way to go, ive done it my myself and it wasn't bad.

sweetbmxrider · 04-22-2012, 08:33 PM

Ah, its like the same thing except Npt to pushlok 90s with a pushlok T. Doesn't stand out as much in the engine bay going to the radiator too.

LTb1ow · 04-22-2012, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Featherburner

I haven't seen the pushlok setup. I was wondering if he had an example.

here ya go, same deal

SeanC · 05-30-2012, 08:49 PM

So i'm in the process of getting all of my parts together. So far I have:

LE2 heads
1.6 rockers
guideplates (and pushrods when I can measure)
Ordering Cam from Lloyd Elliot
Electric water pump
58 mm throttle body
Ordering a Cloyes timing chain

Can anyone suggest a gasket kit to use? I saw some good packages on thunder racing, but am not sure about the head gasket. Is it worth running a thinner head gasket to boost compression ratio? If so, what Part # do you guys use? Also, what injectors do you suggest? I want 36lb injectors and need to find something fairly cheap. Are these any good (and do they fit directly into the LT1 fuel rail?)

http://www.racetronix.biz/itemdesc.a...1D114x&eq=&Tp=

Thanks for the help!

LTb1ow · 05-30-2012, 08:53 PM

I have always read and used the impala head gaskets to raise CR, Lloyd should be able to direct you to em.

You may wanna get ARP head bolts as well, and 30# ford red tops are usually found easy and cheap, will work fine for the setup.

Don't forget to figure in a mail order tune and fluids.

sweetbmxrider · 05-30-2012, 08:54 PM

Talk to Lloyd about head gasket, he'll probably suggest the Impala gasket or one similar to it. Pending your cam size, you should be fine with ford red top 30#ers. Don't forget a timing gasket set which should include waterpump gaskets and order an intake gasket set. Your tb should have a new gasket. Get some nice header gaskets. Should be good with that.

Blackbirdws6 · 05-31-2012, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanC

So i'm in the process of getting all of my parts together. So far I have:

LE2 heads
1.6 rockers
guideplates (and pushrods when I can measure)
Ordering Cam from Lloyd Elliot
Electric water pump
58 mm throttle body
Ordering a Cloyes timing chain

Can anyone suggest a gasket kit to use? I saw some good packages on thunder racing, but am not sure about the head gasket. Is it worth running a thinner head gasket to boost compression ratio? If so, what Part # do you guys use? Also, what injectors do you suggest? I want 36lb injectors and need to find something fairly cheap. Are these any good (and do they fit directly into the LT1 fuel rail?)

http://www.racetronix.biz/itemdesc.a...1D114x&eq=&Tp=

Thanks for the help!

Ditto on what has been said. On another note, I would stay away from Thunder. Read up on some of the poor customer feedback on LS1Tech. I've had my own experiences with them which were far from stellar.