How hard is it to install a Stage III Hot cam???

[r00st]

I am planning to add the Stage III Hot cam to my raptor (making it the big 6).

How hard is this? I have been around the internals of motors, but never on something that had value to me (just little briggs motors lol).

I have done things such as clutch installs on my old 730, but nothing complex like a head change, cam change or even checking the valves.

I just looked up a how-to for the raptor and it looks like a HUGE process! I was thinking it was an hour install, but it looks like a lot more than that? Overall how hard is it? What about setting the valves?

I would really like to do this myself if im going to get it done, but only if im not going to F%$** it up!

[russ-russ]

Seriously, it's pretty easy.  If you really get after it and are skilled, you could do it in an hour.  I'm lazy and unmotivated and it took me about 2 hours including valve adjustment (just did mine Saturday afternoon).  If you're a decent shadetree mechanic with a good eye for detail, you'll be fine.  If you want to talk it through over the phone, hit me up and I'll PM you my cel #.

PS, save yourself some headache and go to Autozone and get a 14mm allen socket.  Got mine there in a set with a 12mm and a 17mm for $10.  It makes getting the crank plug out much easier.

Remaining tool list:
5mm allen wrench
6mm allen wrench
8mm socket
10mm box end wrench
10mm socket
19mm socket or box end wrench
torque wrench
brake clean or contact cleaner
blue locktite
needle nose pliers
feeler gage set
some good assembly lube (I use a 50/50 mix of engine oil, non-synthetic of course, and STP oil treatment)

[r00st]

Alright thanks. I think I will have my buddy help me. He is a mechanical engineer and is pretty meticulous. I am one of those people that would rather paint an entire barn that nobody cares about, rather than paint a tiny easter egg that somebody is going to judge...lol

[russ-russ]

Understood.  I'm just too cheap to pay anybody to work on my stuff.

[r00st]

LOL sounds like me. Why spend 200 on the install when I can get another mod for 200?

I am now wondering if I should wait to do the cam when I do an 11:1 piston and p&p next year... Seeing as how the head will be coming apart anyway!

I have been spending a boat load of money on this quad lately and maybe its a better idea to hold off on the cam so I can actually RIDE the quad and get some seat time on it! Plus it will save some mods for down the road (and help my wallet out..lol)

[russ-russ]

If you are for sure doing the throttle body, you will already be halfway there with the front plastics and tank removed.  You might as well do it then.  You will be down about a week waiting for the throttle body, so the cam swap will give you something to do.  And it really is a piece of cake.

[double06]

Do ittttt!!!!  You've got tons of help on this forum!     The hardest part of the whole thing is removing the rocker arm shafts.  I've never used any other method to remove them except for the 6mm allthread method and I swear by it.  Also make sure that you have the correct feeler guages cause you will have to adjust the vlaves for that cam.  And if you get stuck along the way, holla!!