Just figured that I would post this while it was on my mind and see what you all think about it. Cams are the next engine mod that I am planning for my car. I am going to go with a set of HKS 264's. Now my choices for installing them is the minor issue here. Here are my choices, and my thoughts on each (the first one being the prefered method):
1)A reputable Tuner: I live in central New Hampshire and don't know of one nearby. Those I would like to take it to are quite far away.
2)The Dealer: My dealer, Manchester Mitsu, has treated me well when it comes to servicing the car. I don't quite feel 100% comfortable with having them do it, but then again if they screwed it up I could at least hold them responsible for it.
3)Myself: I have thought about doing it myself. I have solid skills when it comes to installing thing, although my experiences up to this point have been with bolt on mods, and electrical things. The issue I have with this is making sure the timing is right after I put the new ones in. I have no issues with putting them in.
Just want to know the thoughts of other's on this.
Thanks

 

Dealer!!!???WTF? Do you want to void your warranty now?

 

whoa whoa, erase #2.....

 

+1, do not take it to the dealership, take it to a tuner even if they are far away, just my 2 cents. good luck with the project.

 

My thoughts are don't go less than 272 in duration unless you are going with some big lift stuff that requires upgraded valvesprings.

Next, Do it yourself. If you have decent mechanic skills it's pretty easy. If you are paranoid about it jumping time like I am this is my method of helping to ensure it doesn't happen.

1. Tywrap the belt to the gears.
2. Use a paint pen to make a mark on the belt where the timing marks line up.
3. Release the tension and use a small pair of springed clamps on the belt so they rest on top of the lower timing belt cover. This helps to ensure the belt can't go slack at the crank or oil pump and jump time.
4. Then it's business as usual.

You might want to go ahead and buy some new bolts that attach the gears to the cams. When I did mine the exhaust bolt was way over torqued from the factory and rounded off. The cam position sensor could be the same way.

 

Voiding the warranty does not concern me, I have already modded the car, and it has been there before for basic services.

 

Honestly, taking it to the dealer is not going to happen, I just listed it because it was on my mind. I do not trust the techs there to do anything more that an oil change. I am really thinking about a road trip to Ohio, and Buschur Racing, making a vacation out of it at the same time.

 

if you're not concerned about the warranty, then this isn't as bad of an idea as it sounds. A local member here whose engine blew is having his 2.3L installed by a great local dealer. Theoretically, they know the car best.

I had my cams installed by a reputable local tuner, but I'm lucky that there are several within a few miles of me...