Ok, so if anyone else read my last couple of threads "GSR is smoking" and "need someone in fayettnam NC to install a head gasket" I think I am going to need a new head gasket put in, which means taking the head off. I was wondering, while the head is off, I can go ahead and get cams and a valve train installed.

The problem: I have no aftermarket exhaust, not tuning, and not even an intake yet.

So my question is, can I get a mild set of cams, like crower stage 2 or some toda b specs and the accompanying valve train and run well without the other mods, I.E. I/H/E, cam gears, and tuning. I know tuning and cam gears are gonna be a must, but cams and valve train, and tuning, cam gears, along with the installation and new head gasket is gonna be like what, $2000?

How practical is this? Or should I just wait, and see what the leakdown test says. Because even if the gasket is bad, there may be a crack in the head/block, or the head may be warped, then I would be looking a new head/engine.

This car is not my daily driver, but I am in college, and money is SUPER tight.

Thanks guys

 

I'm GUESSING that unless this car was overheated badly then you're probably OK as far as the warp/cracks go but ya' never know ............
as far as the mods - I'm sure you'll get lots of "go for it " replies here cuz' the hot-rodders live here.
When I was in college, I would have said go for it, but that was, well........ let's just say now I'm just the boring practical type - like save the $ for grad school - then buy a new hot rod with probably more HP ........and a warranty! But, then again, hypocracy (sp?) is bad!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TRH &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm GUESSING that unless this car was overheated badly then you're probably OK as far as the warp/cracks go but ya' never know ............
as far as the mods - I'm sure you'll get lots of "go for it " replies here cuz' the hot-rodders live here.
When I was in college, I would have said go for it, but that was, well........ let's just say now I'm just the boring practical type - like save the $ for grad school - then buy a new hot rod with probably more HP ........and a warranty! But, then again, hypocracy (sp?) is bad!</TD></TR></TABLE>

listen to this man-- he speaks the truth!!!

and here's my .02 cents.... if you want to be happy-- save your $$ and go turdbo!!

 

If you go with a thinner head gasket, you'll need the adj cam gears to get the cams back into phase.

If you use a hotter set of cams, you'll need bigger injectors.

tuning is up to you, but you'd be throwing away your money on the parts and gas if you don't get it tuned.

 

if you are planing to add more things, like the i/h/e/c later down the road then get it, cams alone won't do much. if you are going crower stage 2 you probably won't need the springs and retainers.