No way, you do this one yourself. All you need is 2 sockets and wrenches (one being a torque wrench). The swap isn't terribly short, but is is really simple. You don't need an extra hand or even any special tools, so don't let anyone else do it.
If you do a little more searching or even just browse through the forum (yes all those pages...), you'll find more DIYs, pictures, problems and other related information; more than you'll need. You should be pretty comfortable with what to expect by the time you start as there's so much out there.

 

You should look into the 1.8 ECU as well, you'd get better gains from installing both together, obviously. wink1.gif

 

I suggested that to him, but his timing belt just broke and he may be getting a new engine. If so, he could install the cam before the engine goes in and worry about the ECU later.

Zoned is right, you might want to find an old 1.8L junk yard Tib and grab the ECU.

To answer your original question, I don't think anybody has done pre & post cam swap dynos. I would guess 5hp or so, but anything anyone tells you would be only an estimate (probably better than mine, but still a guess)

 

We got the cam in the mail yesterday

 

Sorry to be a bit late on this one, but I've been a little busy lately with... military stuff.

Anyways, the 1.8 cam swap is an awesome upgrade, but what really makes it shine is a cold air intake. Couple that with a urethane-filled front rollstop mount to transfer the power to the ground, and maybe upgrade your exhaust and you'll have one hell of a fun time punching it.

So far I've only done the cam, intake, and solid mounts, and that makes all the difference in the world for this car. I'll soon be either doing a turbo, or the 1.8 pistons for higher compression. (either one will be complemented with an aftermarket exhaust, obviously) I can only imagine what it'll be like then! fing02.gif

 

In short, you're looking at a 3hp gain from the 1.8L cam and about 5hp gain from the XD cam.

Both go in very easily with just a bit of know how about mecanics. Just make sure as you install it to realine both cams properly, thus avoiding timing issues.

As other have said, it's a nice simple mod, even better when combined to a CAI, oversizes TB, header and catback exhaust.

 

The first thing i do to every car is a good exhaust. The muffler is on. The cold air intake went on last nite and now the header is soon to come also i hope. Still waiting to put the cam in.Intake sounds awesome! And made the exhaust sound even better

 

A new muffler does not a good exhaust make.

A good exhaust with a good muffler makes a good exhaust.

 

XD cam? I though the 1.8 was the XD cam?