[Crusher Camaro]

Bit of a long post, but plan has always been to swap cams on my 19 ZL1. voided warranty at around 3,000 miles with headers, flex fuel etc... so that wasn't going to be an issue.

So this years project started in April. ordered a Terminator rough idle cam package from Jannetty Racing. Ted did all the remote tuning on the headers/flex fuel. pretty straight forward to deal with and was happy with the results.

I had already schedule to run Track Night in America at Daytona in May, so had to wait until after that event before I started opening it up.
Started on the weekend of May 21st and first start up was about 6 weeks later.
Only working on it during the weekend when life wasn't in the way. I would say doing by myself with no obligations on the weekends, could have completed everything in 3 weekends. But work, travel, family slowed that down.

Current Setup:
2" kooks headers/catless into stock suitcase muffler
Jannetty Terminator Rough idle came, Katech timing chain, cam phaser lock out, LS7 lifters, BTR push rods, rocker trunnion upgrade, Texas Speed valve springs/seals. DOD delete kit
ATI Damper with 8% overdrive pully
JMS booster
Mighty Mouse
OEM hardware/gaskets

I decided to pull the engine vs swap the cam in the car.
starting pulling the super charger, accessories/drives. pulled the heads while still in the car. Made taking the engine out much easer, especially getting to transmission bolts etc...
Once the engine was out, made some oil pump alignment tools (cnc router and some hardwood) pulled the oil pump and pan, lifters, and the oem cam.

Cam phaser was pretty easy with the CompCam tool. Only GM changed the pin position, not a big deal, just had an extra set of hands to hold the spring while I quickly installed the lock out phaser. Back together and the new cam went in. Then just reversed everything, timing chain, oil pump, oil pan, lifters. I did the trunnion upgrade on the rockers, pretty straight forward, used a drill press as my press to push in the new bushings.
Springs were fun, had to order a new spring compressor, mine wasn't cutting it. Once all the new parts were installed on the heads, I installed the heads out of the car. Did a little port work on the supercharger snout to match the new 95MM throttle body, nothing crazy, just port matching to the 95mm adapter.

Going back in the car was pretty straight forward, did have to take the rear transmission mount loose to allow the trans to drop down enough to line up the input shaft and the clutch. After that just kept re-installing exhaust, accessories, fuel system, then the supercharger, radiator etc...

One thing I missed was spark plugs, would have been easier to install prior to putting all the coolant and wiring harness in. especially the passenger side!

Overall was pretty easy, just alot of parts and pieces. Ziploc backs and rubber made containers are your friend. Take a bolt out, label it and put it in a bag. End of the day, I have no extra nuts/bolts that were not replaced with new hardware.

Added engine oil and coolant, used HP tuners to turn on the intercooler pump, I have a small tank on the intercooler side and made it easy to get the air out of the system.

Uploaded the tune from Ted, checked fuel system for leaks and it fired up first try.

got a good heat cycle through it, made sure all fluids were topped off.
install all the underbody panels and off the race ramps it goes for its first drive/log.

[Crusher Camaro]

couple more pictures

[Crusher Camaro]

short video clip.

https://youtu.be/pWxul9tcYpU

[RamAir02]

Sounds fantastic and I love that you did it yourself. Congrats on the successful cam swap!

[Dabjbr]

Originally Posted by RamAir02

Sounds fantastic and I love that you did it yourself. Congrats on the successful cam swap!

Agreed! Great work!

[SOCAL.M6.ZLE]

Sounds great buddy! thanks for sharing. Great motivation for the DIY swap im planning.

[2SS Capt]

Holy crap that is a lot of parts! Well done!

[LT4Greg]

Sounds like a beast now!

[hawk02]

Not sure what's more impressive. Your DIY cam swap or your garage. Sure wish my garage looked that clean and orderly. Congrats on both.

[ChadSZL1]

Any idea on RWHP and TQ? Sounds great! Are you running a blend of �� or just 93?

[Crusher Camaro]

It was a fun project, a lot of parts, but just keep them sorted out.
I also spent the $20 for the AC Delco TDS access and copied pretty much every page involving the engine/trans. helpful when you have a service manual to reference which bolt went were. that and a shit load of pictures.

Shop is fairly organized, work in progress.

right now tuning on 93, not sure we have much head room for E, but will see were it ends up. HP wise, would say we are 125+HP of stock with all the mods.
not really overdriving the blower (yet)

once done with all the log/tuning, will get a few paces at the drag strip. Trap speed will give a rough number. no plans to dyno anytime soon

[Trochoidal]

Your car sounds good with the new cam. Pulling the engine seems to make this job a better project than trying to do it in the car. How did you address refrigerant loss?

[Crusher Camaro]

Originally Posted by Trochoidal

How did you address refrigerant loss?

Thanks, something about an American V8 with a cam!

What refrigerant loss!
I took the A/C compressor loose from the engine, lines hooked up/charged.
was a bit of a challenge, especially with the wire harnesses, but worked.

it was one of the last items unhooked from the engine, and one of the first reinstalled.

[Trochoidal]

Originally Posted by Crusher Camaro

Thanks, something about an American V8 with a cam!

What refrigerant loss!
I took the A/C compressor loose from the engine, lines hooked up/charged.
was a bit of a challenge, especially with the wire harnesses, but worked.

it was one of the last items unhooked from the engine, and one of the first reinstalled.

Awesome! I thought maybe you had to break the lines open for navigation and clearance. I’ve installed cams on older rides in the past, but not this platform. Thanks, this is becoming more appealing as a DIY.