camshaft upgrade?

[99s10xtreme]

im looking for more power and im thinking about upgrading my cam......from waht i hear its easy to do my self.......ne body no one that i can install fairly easily.....i dont really wanna rebuild my heads but if i have too i will........if i have ot rebuild my heads i will just buy a pair from the junkyard rebuild um then swap um in one saturday with the cam........but ne cams thatgive me a gain of hp and torque id be happy...looking to spend about 300-400 bux?

99 4.3L vortech

thanx ne thing ideas will help

[Hammer Head]

As a side note.. you shouldn't have to even touch the heads other than removing the valve covers from them, loosening the rockers & pulling the pushrods out. You will need to remove the intake though so you can get the lifters out. 3-400 you can buy a great cam & have plenty of cash left over for roller rockers.. good luck.

[99s10xtreme]

thanx guys.......ne brands u could give me/part numbers? i work at a part store and i could prob have them order it for me. i drive parts around but ive known the family whos owned for ever so they said they would order me almost anything i want just igotta have$$$$ first b4 they order it....

thanx

[nomaboy]

you will need to change valve springs for ones the cam manufacturer recommends. also, the front timing cover is made of plastic. you have to drop the oil pan so you dont force and break the cover<- my experience. the new cover is about 110 at the dealer, cant get one at autozone or anything. the factory recommends you change that cover anytime you take it off but i dont see that to be needed unless you break it.

[Hammer Head]

Will the SBC timing covers replace the new ones from the 2nd gens?

[nomaboy]

no. the new ones are 6 bolt. i thnk all the balance shaft motors have the new style.
I have looked around and cant find a aftermarket metal cover.

[Hammer Head]

I've got a chromed old-style one sitting here & was wondering when the cutoff for fitment was.. thanks.

[nomaboy]

i think in 92 for B/S motors and 95ish for all the rest.

[Hammer Head]

I remember pullin the cover off the '92 astro, when I had it, & it had the same cover as the sbc cover. So I guess that's where the cutoff was, huh. interesting

[nomaboy]

some of the 92-95 4.3's did not have a balance shaft so they used the regular SBC cover.

[99s10xtreme]

ne part numbers someone could give me? i also heard u gotta take of the front end almost the whole thing grille....radiator and water pump that true?

part number please? itd be awsome

[99s10xtreme]

but i have a 99 will they still work? cuz those only go up to a 98?http://www.s10planet.com/forum/images/misc/progress.gif

[nomaboy]

yea. all balance shaft engines from 92 up take the same type of cam. you will have to machine the head a bit to be able to pull those lifts. max lift on a stock vortec head is .480. and yes the whole front end has to go to get the cam out. you can leave the radiator core support in though.

[Mike 92S10]

I believe you're right on the '92 date. Mines a '92

[Bone Crusher]

but i have a 99 will they still work? cuz those only go up to a 98?http://www.s10planet.com/forum/images/misc/progress.gif


Yes I know this is an old thread, but I have to bring it back from the dead to see if anything ever turned out on the cam swap. Was thinking about doing the same thing, but kinda sounds like a pain in the A-hole to gain a couple of ponies

[rat]

It isn't too bad, i have been happy with my cam, although it is a little too mild.

I know this is really old, but for timing covers if you look on ebay i have bought one brand new for $35.

Don't forget to cut the guides if you run more than .480" or so of lift.

[Slaymanic]

I just realized how old this thread is and removed my post I tend to do this alot lately =/