How hard is it to do a cam swap. The cams are not too expensive from what I can see, about $300. I found a GPGT cam that will work with stock components. The cam install kit is like $73 on ZZP. ANy suggestions/comments. I am still considering whether or not it is worth it.

It is a lot of work to swap out the cam (8hrs) and unless youve done one before it can be a nightmare. Unless you were going to do some serious upgrades I would go with higher ratio rockers first. You can still keep the stock components and see the same gain but in less time (2hrs) and much easier.

When you get a cam, you will be getting a lot of power, but it will take a lot of work. And a lot of cams require upgrades in the rest of the valvetrain, so more $$ will need to be spent.

Rockers is much easier, and much more affordable.

Pontiac Dad, but I read that you can do either a cam swap, or go for high ratio rockers? Not both, is this accurate? Or are you saying try one, then the other later?

If the cam is meant to be pushing the limits of the stock computer, then having it'* affects, multiplied by non stock length rockers will make the valves open WAY too long. You can use it, but you'll need to get a custom burned PCM. A cam will work better, and if you want to dig intot he engine it'* better in the long run. But Rogue'* rocker install/dyno did A LOT.

When you do the cam swap it is reccomended that you replace the timming chain and sprocket at the same time another $300. While you have the engine torn apart this is a good time to do the lifters too another $200 and new push rods and springs another $200. So if your going to go with a 'mild' cam it doesnt seem worth it when the high ratio rockers will yield the same hp gains for a lot less $ and time.

With that said if your going to go with a cam then go big rework the heads and enjoy some serious hp gains. Im going with the rockers first, cheaper and easier with stock heads. When I've maxed out all other mods then I'll do the heads and cam together to take me to the next level.

It is correct that the timing chain should be replaced-but you can get a stocker at napa for $70 (dampner included). I have the PT# if anyone needs it.
As for everything else-you dont need to replace anything. Lifters, springs, PRs. Depending on the cam anyways. If you go with a cam that is valvetrain safe i.e. ZZP VS cam or INTENSE S1x then you dont need to replace anything else. I did however get INTENSE O/R pushrods to fight valve float, and it worked great $100 there.

Cam $300
Cam Kit (insall) $70
chain $70

and dollar for dollar you will get more HP from a cam. Rockers normally net about 12HP to the wheels while a cam will net 20+HP.

13-sec, this seems like how I calculated it.

With rockers, they are $350 for an L36, they are easy to install but yield less results. The net on most rockers is between 10 and 20 hp.

A mild cam will cost me $300, plus $150 in misc parts. And will net me anywhere from 20-30 hp. Hopefully I will get more all around from my exhaust (hi-flo cat, and flowmaster 80).

So we are looking at $350 for lets say 15 hp = $23 / 1 hp
OR
$450 for lets go 25 hp. = $18 / 1 hp

I think I will go with the cam.

What I was refering too is the new gen 3 intense rockers. Adds 0ver 23 whp whick is closer to 32hp at the engine.
This is without any other upgrades like exhaust or headers.
Heres the linkhttp://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...r=asc&start=20

Time for a little "Lessons Learned" by DrJay haha. Once you start digging that deep into your engine a thought is probably going to cross your mind and you'll probably begin doing some "while I'm here" maintenance. You may even see some parts that when you look at them you decide that there is no way you're putting this back into your engine. Rocker installation doesn't show you most of this so aside from noticing a worn out valve cover gasket your estimates on the cost may be closer. The cam install might show you another $200 in parts that you want to have cleaned/replaced/repaired while you're in there. It doesn't happen to everyone but it surely happened to me. $1500 turned to $3000 turned to $6500 and grew. Its up to you if you want to replace these parts but I'll almost guarantee that there is going to be at least 2 things that you replace when you're in there. And it really is a great time to replace these things. If you have your engine on a stand that firewall side head gasket seems a lot more tempting to replace while its easy. Or that knock sensor that'* hiding...things like that. If you go into pulling the engine I'd definately set aside extra $ for things like this. Spend $50 now to save $200 later.