aaronbigtime

how much is a cam installation at a performance shop? with springs? and with stock springs?

doctorj77

Cams that require a spring change will run you anywhere from $1,500 to $2,700. Depends on the shops labor rate. That involves pulling the motor + installation. Then you have to factor in the cost of parts and then the cost of dyno tuning. Its very easy to spend upwards of $3,000 before its all said and done.

If you install NSR cams "No Spring change Required" cams, like the comp cam package that brenspeed sells, they don't have to pull the motor and significantly cuts the labor down. Parts + install for around $1,000. You'll get a nice little hp gain, but you won't get the lumpy idle like from the heavier lift cams.

zkiller

Why would you pull the motor to change valve springs?
They areright under the cam coversand you dont need to remove the heads or motor to change them. You could use an air adapter to hold the valves in place for one cylinder at a time while you cahneg out the spring retainer and lock.

doctorj77

Depends on what your doing. Stock springs, or light springs, your probably right.

This was just information given to me by places like Livernois, MRT, Alternative Auto, Sutton HP, Brenspeed, BlowByRacing. From what they all said there isn't enough clearance to compress and install the new heavier springs, while the motor is in the car. I did hear from a couple shops that there is supposed to be some special tool that is being developed for this job specifically, which would allow to you to leave the engine in, remove and install the springs. I don't know if that rumor or fact.

Mpaint99

April 15 I'm adding Crowers cams and getting my heads ported and polished for under $2000.00 in Kenosha Wisc.

jwgroovin

Comp stage III cams, springs and steel retainers are often done with the motor in. Just get the shop manual instructions and it lists the toolsyou need. Shop rates are 10-14 hours--use a shop experienced with the mod motors. If you're just popping in those Comp regrinds coming out of Brensped, JDM, Sutton, etc then 4-5 hours maybe. I've seen one vendor's dynosheets but they seem...optimistic...just my opinion.

Cams aren't going to give you much on the street in a NA car, although they'll help your track quarter mile times. Might think about better ways to spend the money, unless you're modded out and trying to eke every last hp out of the car...or if you got $$$, do cams AND ported heads. That's shaping up to be a pretty powerful combo, although pricey, obviously.

John

DeStonn

Cams will give you power in a N/A motor. I paid $1100 for install with dyno tuning in SoCal.