cam install question

[eclipsegsx97979]

i just order a pair of hks 272's for my 97 gsx with the crower spring and retainer set... my question is how hard is it to install all this? my shop wants $650 but i have a couple buddies that are mechanics for bmw and have worked on dsm's before that will charge me like $150. you think most knowledgable mechanics could handle the install? i also got dsm link which i need to learn how to use.... last thing what should u be looking at for power gains with the 272's?

thanks,

kevin

 

[bullettdsm]

Simple install for a qualified mechanic. The only catch could be the timing belt. But that should really be no problem. I have the HKS in my 2g and then FP-2s in my 1g. It seems like the FPs are a bit more street friendly. But on both, the power range is in the top end. Yeah you will gain power from them but I think the bigger question is how much power will you get out of your DSMlink. THAT is where you are going to see the most gains. Tuning is the key. The amount of power depends so much on so many variables it is really hard to say. Suffice it to say, you will have a lot more fun in the top end with these cams coupled with the DSMlink.
MB

 

[Suparata]

Replacing the cams is not very hard, the springs and retainers however is.

 

[bullettdsm]

Replacing the cams is not very hard, the springs and retainers however is.

Not to doubt you Suprata but the springs and retainers are pretty straight up for a qualified mechanic. Nothing too different than other vehicles, pressurize cylinder or fill with string. The only thing "different" on the install is that some have problems with getting the timing belt adjusted and lined up properly on the DSMs. I guess it's up to what your definition of hard is (as well as qualified mechanic ).
MB

 

[eclipsegsx97979]

thanks for the replies... hopefully it all goes good...


kevin

 

[RamenPride]

this might help

http://diy.prostreetonline.com/howto/showarticle.asp?articleid=34

 

[eclipsegsx97979]

i read that its a pretty good article... doesnt talk about installing springs and retainers though... im def gonna have my bmw mechanics help cause they have the experience


kevin

 

[Old Mitsu Tech]

Well, it depends on how determined and resourceful you are. You can take a large c-clamp and weld a thinwall socket to it and with a cutoff wheel remove enough metal from the socket so you can access your retainers. I used a 13/16 plug socket on mine. Now, that's the easy part. You will learn a new definition of the word bi***. It will however save you some money. Just do it right and be very careful that the keepers are installed properly. No sense in dropping a valve on a piston in the middle of nowhere.

Good Luck

 

[eclipsegsx97979]

hopefully my buddies know what they are doing cause i dont.... if they were already installed on a car they should be good to go right?


kevin

 

[FourG63 97GST]

what tool do you use to remove the retainers while the head is still on the car. is there one at all? or you'll have to rig something up

 

[eclipsegsx97979]

i think im just going to have the cams installed and use the stock springs and retainers for now.... i dont plan on reving the engine over 7500 anyways...


kevin

 

[NewB2dsm]

Its easy, timing belt is kinda tricky and make sure you use the same cam caps where they cam off!!

And the other part is getting the cam caps off, can be kinda tricky.

 

[eclipsegsx97979]

im very nervous to do it myself... the dsm shop i go to wants to charge me $583 to install springs, retainers, cams, and cam seals....


kevin

 

[1fast97gsx]

There is a way to pressurize the cylinders through the spark plug holes that will keep the valves pushed up and closed. ( assuming the cams are out of the car ) This way the springs and retainers can be changed with the head still on the car, but you will still need a special tool to compress the new springs to get it all back together since the c clamp method won't apply now.

 

[Catbox_95]

As mentioned, you will need a special tool to remove the springs and install new springs. This will be the hardest part. And keep in mind, it doesn't matter how good of a mechanic your friends are when it comes to installing a DSM timing belt. This is pretty DSM specific, so read up, and have your friends read up, very carefully in the vfaq on timing belt install.

 

[eclipsegsx97979]

im gonna bite the bullet and have the shop do it... i dont want to take a chance...


kevin