Thanks Chico!

Actually, I just read through all the guide.

Doesn't look too bad to do in the car.

Just looks like a lot of preparation, patience, and above all, time.

I think I can handle it if I get aorund to doing it.

I dunno.

I like challenges. That's why I got a C in Foods in high school. NO challenge. Boiling an egg is FAR FAR FAR below worthy work.

Precalc, now THAT was both fun and challenging. Can't wait until normal Calc and stuff in college!

You can do it dude, if me and ordonez both did the top swap. I've also now done 2 cam installs and pulled the motor once... and I'm only 18, but I would definitely agree with chico, get some experienced help. Also just read up on it a ton, and make sure you know your engine extremely well.

If you're doing a cam at the same time you WILL need an impact gun, and a 1-1/8 impact socket for the cam bolt.

Well, I'll buy an air wrench. I'll try to get my dad to swing me some cash so I can get a good one for the shop cause our old one sucked.

I'd like to get experianced help but I have 2 options;

1. My friend who lies and is going to have his eyes plucked from his head so I can sell them and get my $550 back or,

2. My mechanic friends who I highly doubt would help me. We're more of "aquaintances." They are nice to me but they're still mechanics and they want their money.

Well. As much fun as I'm having right now dreaming about this, it's 3:42AM.

I think I should go to bed... night all and thx much guys!

Whoa, I was looking for gasket kits on ZZP and found this...

http://www.zzperformance.com/grand_prix/products1.php?id=313&catid=103

Is that everything, besides head gaskets, that I need for the top-end swap as far as gaskets go?

dunno about the gaskets... looks like mostly everything with a lot of extra stuff. may be cheaper getting what you'll actually use.

just find somebody who's even slightly mechanically inclined. don't necessarily need to have a lot of experience. two brains are better than one.

My finacee will be in the shop reading while I'm working for most of the time, hopefully.

And my buddy will probably want to help. Cmon, I'm putting a blower on my rental car. He'd have no choice.

Besides, if he helps me, he can call in the afvor when he fixes up his '71 and '73 Nova's

well that's a pretty good deal on the gaskets. too bad head gaskets are not included since that's another $70, i'd say go for it... it even includes injector orings and everything

Am I going to be reusing my whole valvetrain? I know I keep the rockers/pushrods/lifters but what about the valves/retainers/springs?

And what other gaskets am I going to need for a cam install as well?

*sigh* I wish I just had one big checklist with EVERYTHING on it.

allow me get that checklist for ya... you want cam install stuff and top swap stuff? i already have a mostly complete list and i can tell you everything you need

Parts for the top swap:

M90 Supercharger
Boost bypass valve
L67 smooth idler pulley
L67 grooved idler pulley (on coil pack)
L67 belt tensioner
L67 throttle body
33# injectors
L67 crank pulley
L67 MAP sensor
L67 heads
L67 LIM
L67 Valve Covers
L67 fuel rail
Head Bolts
Rocker Bolts
S/C Bolts
LIM Bolts
L36 to L67 wiring harness adapter kit
Vac lines (I used 7/64" rubber hose)
Coil pack bracket from a 97-98 GT/GTP
S/C belt
2 changes worth of oil/oil filters
2 jugs of coolant (I think they are a gallon usually)

Gaskets:

Head Gaskets
S/C gasket
TB gasket
LIM gasket
LIM o-rings
Valve Cover gaskets
Fuel rail o-rings
Gray RTV gasket maker

If doing cam at the same time you will need:
*Depending on the cam, you may need 105# valve springs and mod’d retainers*

New Timing chain
Timing chain dampener
Front cover gasket
Engine assembly lube
Camshaft

Tools required for cam/valvespring install:

Impact gun and air compressor
Torque wrench
1-1/8 impact socket for cam bolt
Crank pulley puller (requires special bolts)
Valve spring compressor
Air adapter (keeps the valves from dropping when the spring is removed)


Hope that helps... Herc or Austin, possible FAQ update for the top swap section since its more complete?

dont go with that gasket kit. there is too much stuff you dont need.

I know I spent almost, or maybe even as much as that kit costs, by the time I was said and done with everything. Especially if you're doing a cam install on top of it all... plus it comes with a bunch of o-rings and things that all probably stand could be replaced. The oil pan gasket set alone is $40, if he's pulling the motor there is no reason not to change it out, prevent or fix possible leaks. It looks like a pretty good deal to me, really. Sure there is stuff you don't need, but I'd rather be safe than sorry, and replace it if it's already all apart

Supercharger gasket $6.99
Water pump gasket $4.99
Oil pan gasket set $29.99
Oil filter extension gasket $2.99
Dip stick tube O-ring
Intake manifold O-rings $4.99
Front cover gasket $6.99
Rear cover gasket $4.99
Oil plug washer $2.99
Rear main seal $4.99
Front main seal $4.99
Cam position sensor O-ring
6 injector Orings $5.99
Lower intake manifold gasket $44.99
Throttle body gasket $8.99
Valve cover gaskets $27.99
Upper coolant elbow $8.99
Lower coolant elbow $6.99
Thermostat O-ring $3.49
Exhaust manifold gaskets $15.99

Total -$210 worth of stuff

For just the top swap... no
For cam install/pulling the motor/and top swap... h-ll ya

I'm debating on whether I'm going to pull the motor or not.

I know it will be easy as pie with the motor out but I'm worried about messing with the tranny. I have no idea what to do as far as unmounting the tranny from the engine. It's just another thing I don't know about and would have to read I guess. Also, I don't have a proper engine stand either.

I'm going to e-mail zzp as well and see if they would throw together a top-swap + cam swap gasket kit. Add in the other cam stuff like chain and dampener...

I should start adding all this up...

The back head will be easier to get to once you rock the motor forward (it easily rocks all the way forward).

See if Ed can throw a GT bumper into the package

i agree with drummer. if you are doing the cam/puling the motor, get the whole kit and add the head gaskets to it