Idea for cam swap

"Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer" (smallbear94)
02/03/2016 at 11:05 • Filed to: None

So in one of my last posts the subject of cam swaps came up. Now, my engine (LH9 5.3) is VVT and I’d like to keep it that way. The issue is VVT cams are pretty pricey. So here’s the idea:

Find an automatic Camaro in a wreakers yard with the L99 engine, pull cam. I figure the stock cam from a bigger engine in a performance vehicle should do me fine for now, since I wasn’t planning to put in anything more than a mild cam anyway, and since my cam is basically a 4.8 cam (191/190 .457/.466 114 lsa for mine as far as I’ve been able to find out, L99 is .500/.492 lift, 198/201 duration).

Here’s my question. Will a 6.2 cam work in a 5.3? Or are there more differences between the engines than just bore and stroke?

DISCUSSION (26)

64Mali > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
02/03/2016 at 09:07

Don’t quote me without more information, but I believe that it will NOT work. I remember seeing different part numbers per block in the summit catalog.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > 64Mali
02/03/2016 at 09:12

They would be different part numbers, as they were two different cams designed to run in different engines at different power outputs by the OEM. That and the fact that the 6.2 could make use of a more aggressive cam better than a 5.3 could. I thought generally an LS cam was an LS cam.

But the same no quoting rule goes for me too. I wouldn’t be asking if I knew. Thanks for the input.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
02/03/2016 at 09:14

Honestly, the only person I’d swap Cam for is Tom Brady these days.

Oh.....not that kind of Cam......well, shit

64Mali > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
02/03/2016 at 09:16

I might retract my statement it looks like there are some Cams that swap between engines. Ignore me and hope someone with a lot more LS knowledge comments.

McMike > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
02/03/2016 at 09:19

Cam here to make a quarterback joke, too.

Kinja'd!!!

64Mali > 64Mali
02/03/2016 at 09:21

http://www.performancetrucks.net/forums/gm-engi…

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > McMike
02/03/2016 at 09:22

Die, the pair of you. :)

McMike > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
02/03/2016 at 09:35

You say, I only hear what I want to.

You say, I talk so all the time.

So.

Kinja'd!!!

crowmolly > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
02/03/2016 at 11:12

I am pretty sure that the engines are both GEN IV and that the cams should swap over- but the VVT stuff might be different in some way.

Can the valve springs take it?

camaroboy68ss > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
02/03/2016 at 11:21

I know there are one bolt and three bolt LS cams so there is one possible difference, but they can interchange just need all the other parts. Do the L99 and your 5.3 share the same lifters for the VVT? Plus L99s have DOD and the cam and lifters reflect that. It would be worth to investigate if this could cause problems.

From the amount of work it takes to swap a cam in a LS engine it’s better to save up for a good cam than to slap another factory cam in and hope for better results. Plus I honestly don’t see any value in the VVT system, the LS3/L99 run about the same in power numbers.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > crowmolly
02/03/2016 at 11:28

I would definitely have to change springs as well. Whether I would use the ones from the Camaro or aftermarket ones is up in the air.

The VVT tuning is probably different. I think the phasers are the same. I DO know you can retrofit VVT to a non-VVT very easily since the inly difference is the VVT shafts are hollow to provide oil pressure to the phaser. The block is no different.

crowmolly > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
02/03/2016 at 11:37

Just curious: Why are you camming? Did you already do the normal intake/exhaust mods?

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > camaroboy68ss
02/03/2016 at 11:40

I believe they are all 1-bolt after 2007, so no issues there. If the L99 is DOD then the lifters are different. The DOD ones can’t take much lift so I’m limited right out of the box if I go that way since the L99 cam was designed for DOD...

On the work front, I understand but am not so sure. What would be a mild cam on a bigger engine can be pretty aggressive on a smaller one. Either way it would be a BIG step up from my current cam.

Here’s the math to explain why I’m considering this: A VVT comp cam would run me 350$. US. So 550$ CAD after taxes. A (brand new) L99 cam would cost me 135$ after taxes. If I could find a used one here, even better.

VVT does have quite a bit of value. The LS3 had about 25hp more than the L99, but the L99 had a lot more meat low down (Which is one of the things I like) and could easily run with the manual LS3's. On top of that it makes for better MPG’s when you aren’t thrashing it.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > crowmolly
02/03/2016 at 11:52

Not yet. Thinking ahead. You can read my other post to get an idea of where I’m going with exhaust, but the gist is:

- Other posters here told me that headers are kind of a waste of time unless I’m going for some serious power, as the gains can’t really back up what what you pay for the headers.

- The exhaust shop I went to looked at the stock exhaust and told me it’s big enough, the weak point is the muffler.

So, first mod is going to be the muffler. There aren’t really any good intakes for this truck since it’s pretty rare. There are some, but the best bang for buck is modding the stock airbox to accept a K&N cone filter. Either way, the intake is easily accessible and I can do that whenever. Next thing I’d do is get a tune to see how I’ve done (the guy I’m going to will do free retunes, so I might as well see where I’m at), and THEN I’d do the cam if I still have the itch for more power.

So, right now I’m just doing research. I don’t have to have the most powerful engine out there, but I want to get the most from my money, and I suspect the way to to that is by digging through the parts bins. Besides, that way I get to save up for when the 4l60e eventually shits the bed (T56 swap anyone????).

camaroboy68ss > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
02/03/2016 at 12:11

In terms of MPGs that’s a lie, I own a L99 Camaro currently and getting less MPG than my Camaro Club buddies with LS3s in normal driving conditions. The DOD makes little difference I went a couple months before I tuned out the DOD and only noticed a .5 MPG difference.

So far into my L99 ownership I’ve come to the conclusion that the day my warranty expires the motor is getting all the DOD and VVT related parts yanked because I have yet to see the gains of these systems like better MPGs over the fear of one of those weaker DOD lifter failing

crowmolly > camaroboy68ss
02/03/2016 at 12:17

You are not alone in your logic. In fact, far from it.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > camaroboy68ss
02/03/2016 at 12:22

I’d be interested to know how the engine responds to that. Either way, DOD is a non-issue as I don’t have it and am definitely not adding it, and it’s not happening for a while anyway.

I’m just trying to do my research ahead of time so I know exactly what I want and can pounce on it if I find a good deal.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
02/03/2016 at 12:26

1st question what is the engine in?

Im an going to run a LS3 corvette cam in my 5.3 iron block but i have to update valve springs and lifters.

I only ask what vehicle because you dont want a car cam in a heavy truck. you lose you low rpm torque and makes them drive sluggish down low

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
02/03/2016 at 12:43

Colorado. It’s an LH9, which is aluminum block and heads with VVT. No DOD.

While the L99 is a car engine:

The Colorado is relatively light.

The L99 is already down on power compared to the LS3, but the VVT gives it more meat low down.

Sweet Trav > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
02/03/2016 at 13:43

You may want to update your valvesprings as well. the LS3 valve springs are like $60 on summit.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Sweet Trav
02/03/2016 at 13:46

There’s no way I’m doing a cam without doing springs.

Not on this engine. With the other things GM did to keep it from outmuscling the Silverado, who knows what springs they put in.

I’m thinking hardened pushrods as well.

Sweet Trav > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
02/03/2016 at 13:59

nah, factory pushrods should be fine.

Also see this about various cams.

http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/…

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Sweet Trav
02/03/2016 at 14:19

Huh, looks like I’m not as bad off as I thought. Any other factory cam would lose low end torque. Scratch that idea for the moment.

That said, the closest cam to the L99 appears to be the LQ9, which wasn’t too bad. VVT would probably be able to turn those low-end losses around.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
02/03/2016 at 14:36

ah gotcha. I would go to

http://ls1tech.com/

and search forums they have tons of info. Also i think Hot Rod did a comparison with a 5.3 and installed many different cams on a dyno engine to see how they did.

Sweet Trav > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
02/03/2016 at 16:15

Why not ditch the VVT entirely? There are a lot of aftermarket cams that will work nicely

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Sweet Trav
02/03/2016 at 16:26

I will if I have to. At the moment I’m just exploring possibilities, and as it seems to me that VVT will make the motor “more tunable” (as in ECU tuning can be more effective), I’m looking for a way to keep it that doesn’t bust the bank.

On the subject of non VVT aftermarket cams, would you have any reccomendations on specs based on the facts that:

- I’m using it as a dd.

- I don’t want to lose any low end torque if I can avoid it?

From the link you posted, the Crane 200 cam seems a good match.