Cam Swap, least needed to do
 

I know Ill have a hundred people telling me this is wrong, but whats the least I have to do to swap cams, aside from picking them? Can I simply lock the chains, undo rockers etc, remove cam sprockets swap cams, put it all back on, degree the cams and be done?

Disclaimer: I'm no expert, but I have replaced my cams in my 993.
There's one big thing you're missing and that's making sure you have valve to piston clearance if the new cams have higher lift than the ones you're replacing! Many "performance" cams won't work with regular pistons / valve / heads and your pistons will smash into your valves and that pretty much sucks in a big way!

If the lift is mild enough to leave enough clearance, then as far as I know, you can just swap cams... and then you should double check the valve clearance - especially in the 0 - 20 degree ATDC (overlap) range.

What cams are you swapping? You’ll need to remove rockers and install new or have them reconditioned. It’s a no no to use new cams on old rockers.

M1 Cams, which I understand work in my existing 3.0 ROW.

They’ll work, but you’ll still need your rockers reconditioned.

do you know what compression pistons u have?
Either way, make sure to check BOTH intake and exhaust valve clearance with these extra duration cams.

Stock, row ('83) engine as far as I know. Ive never had to crack into it.

Locking the chains won’t help much, u will have to reset the cam timing.

Agree with gled. There are some things you can get away with by locking chains, or just being super careful about not moving the crank even a hair. Installing pressure fed tensioners would be an example. I once tightened the three bolts holding the aluminum piece with the O ring seal without disturbing the timing (though I checked the cam timing, which isn't a big deal anyway). But replacing a cam isn't one of them.

I was making the assumption that I had to check timing. I may have used the wrong phrasing but its what I meant by degree the cams.

No, I understood you to want to avoid having to check the cam timing. If you have the L shaped holder, or better still the Stompski tool, and a dial indicator, checking the timing is easy.

Setting it can be somewhat frustrating since even with the small pin in the "right" place there is play in that system. Tightening the nut or bolt that finally locks the gear to the cam tends to move the gear a bit, etc.

Does your new M1 cam have the same timing spec as the stock one?

Degreeing the cam is more a chevy phrase but I expected to and want to check the timing as I know getting the little pin in the correct hole can make a big difference.
I dont know if they require the same timing. They are in NC and Im still in Ontario but picking them up next week. Id like to gather whatever I need while in the US.

If you do not have the rockers reconditioned , the new cams will not last so long , I've seen this numerous times . From my experience , the wear begins slowly and then increases almost exponentially .