Unfortunately, yes lol

 

screw the water pump bolts into the cam. It will make it easier to pull out and keep level.

 

thats a good tip about the bolts, never thought about that lol

 

This is what I did when I did mine, makes it so much easier. Be sure that you don't shove the cam back very much when you go to thread them in.

 

Man i'm almost certain I didn't even have to remove the radiator to get the cam out on my 06... Anybody know If I need to on an 09?

 

Get 2 wooden 5/16 dowel rods to hold the lifters up.

 

I used dirt track racers balancer install tool and it was easy. I think there is a link in the member parts section. ls1how to has a good write up on cam install as well. Don't forget to swap your springs and pushrods. I also bought a tool to lock the flywheel in place for the crank bolt install, but found that wrapping an old serpentive belt around the balancer and an idler pulley kept the motor from rotating. Also make sure you get a big enough breaker bar to install the bolt. Its easy! Good luck.