Cam into NA 3.8, parts needed?

[pow3rslave]

for a while i've been thinking about putting a mild cam (no headwork) into my V6, i heard some figures round here for work done professionally at something like $2K, so i got a quote from a chick i know's missus. he reckons $1200 mates rates including parts, but not the cam,
he said he'd be getting the parts at cost and that i'll need a new timing cover and gaskets for the head and rocker covers.

with that in mind is this a bit of a steep quote for this, he basically works for beer so how much do these parts go for?

[defa]

why would you need a new timing cover. yeah that i way too steep i reckon. that isn't much difference to the $2000 quote by the time ya buy the cam.

[Morton]

I would have imagined something more like $600 for parts and labour, but there you go. Gaskets aren't exactly made of gold... they're not expensive.

edit: if you're not doing any head work, and you only want a mild cam, have an ask around and see if you can get higher ratio roller rockers that give you a similar effect. If you can, then do, because they'll be cheaper - and you can install them yourself.

[pow3rslave]

yeah he reckons those parts and bolts/studs (which i don't know much about) but i already have a set of rocker gaskets, so that's taken care of.

anyone know what a timing cover will cost?

i was gonna go the roller rockers option before i even considered a cam, but doesn't a cam have benefits over them?

[defa]

why do you need a new timing cover. is your buggered???

[pow3rslave]

that's just it, its going fine as is, so i don't know why i'd need a new one, unless the cam will put it out or something.

[hakhawk]

cam shoudl fit fine inside old one. easy way si to ask him why you need a new cover and see what he says.

[Da Flyin Dutchy]

in my estimate a full rebuild set (gaskets rings bearings seals)basically the works would cosl around 4 to 600 bucks. The only reason that you could need a TMG cover is if yours is corroded from inside out. This guy wants to rob you blind. Since you live in a van you would find it cheaper to drive to Greenhills in NSW and do your bussiness through Doctor Macs. They are reliable and well priced. Or come to my place in cessnock NSW cause i reacon i could see your car finished for about a grand and you would get more than just a cam.

[defa]

ya gotta hae a special tool to put cam bearings in don't ya.

[cracker]

probley wont have to do the cam bearings cams are about $600, the timing chain $100, then gaskets $50, manifold timing cover front seal etc
then all that labour.
600 for parts and labour ur kidding, ud be looking at about 1000 all up i reconif not more, if ur in melbourne ill do ya cam for $200

[Morton]

Nah mate, this man quoted him $1200 for the job with the cam supplied. i.e. that's $1200, and then $600 on top of that for the cam.

[pow3rslave]

yeah i'm thinking i'll ask him for a full breakdown and buy parts myself and bring em to him.

alternatively i'll just go the roller rockers

[ephect]

the only real advantage of a cam over roller rockers, is u duration and overlap. they both provide lift.. u could get a lumpy cam that opens the valves a smig longer, as well as big lift..

see i would have said rockers would be the cheapest.. but ur looking around the $600-900 mark for rockers dependin on how much lift.. new rocker bolts $30, and install should be $0 coz they're easy as, now that takes u to about the same mark as installing a cam, if u spent a lil more $$$ on the cam n get something lumpy n with big lift, ur gonna be in front in the end, u can always port the heads later down the track..

if u can get mates rates on the cam.. ur laughin!