LS3 removal Camaro 2012 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

aaberg · 12-20-2019, 11:56 PM

I hope someone can help me with a step-by-step guide how to remove my LS3 and seperate engine from automatic transmission. I need to get the engine out for restoration. I got the service manual but can't find any step-by-step guide or on google.

Vegas Bound · 12-21-2019, 12:26 AM

Disconnect battery, drop exhaust, drop driveshaft, tie back AC compressor, disconnect top of front struts, tie back front calipers, split main fuse box, drain coolant, disconnect coolant lines, drop entire front cradle, 6 bolts, with engine and trans in place. Hopefully you have a lift, much easier that way.

I might be missing a couple small steps.

G8One2 · 12-21-2019, 07:34 AM

If your dropping it from the bottom, theres no need to disconnect the struts or the brakes. Idk why people do that. Making more work for themselves. Just disconnect the balljoints from the hubs. Leave the brakes and the struts alone. Drop it that way. Out the bottom isnt really necessary either. It will come out the top if you dont have the means to get the car high enough to drop it from the bottom.

Vegas Bound · 12-21-2019, 09:07 AM

There are at least 2 ways to skin a cat.

aaberg · 12-21-2019, 10:49 AM

I was thinking to remove from the top.

G8One2 · 12-21-2019, 12:19 PM

If you pull it from the top, you may need to remove the front fascia if the boom on your cherry picker wont reach. You can leave the core support. Just remove the upper and lower radiator hoses and the heater hoses. Unbolt the ac compressor and the power steering pump if you have one, rest it aside. Take the whole engine /trans harness with the engine when you pull it. Make your life easier when putting it back together. Unplug it from the ECM and disconnect it from the fuse box.

InFiD3ViL · 12-21-2019, 05:59 PM

I removed from the top. As long as you have jack stands, ramps, hoist you should be good. Just make sure to properly support the transmission. Also, I would highly suggest you remove the front bumper cover. You will be hard pressed for hoist clearance if you don't.

IDK what happened, but when I did my recent swap I lost all my freon.

Tied my compressor back to the passenger side and didn't touch it after that until reinstall of the LS3. After install was complete, tried my AC...nothing. Ran a pressure test and it was completely empty. Tried a refill. Was nice and cool until about an hour later. I could see the freon leaked out near the main 2 lines fitting. I guess it somehow loosened or the seal got messed up when it was moved. I was very careful with it.

Sorry for the thread derail. Just saying to be careful when you are moving that compressor around.

pyroguy · 12-21-2019, 09:54 PM

Since others have basically answered your question, you know that if you have a car with an automatic from the factory you have a L99 and not a LS3, right?

aaberg · 12-22-2019, 12:48 PM

Thank you for correct me about engine. Yes, It's an automatic and a L99 not LS3. New on 5 gen I thought all SS had LS3, but as you wrote, automatic have L99.

The basic difference between the L99 and LS3 motors is that each one was built for a specific type of transmission. The more powerful LS3 engine is paired with Camaro SS models that feature the manual transmission. Likewise, the L99 comes from the factory in automatic Camaro SS automobiles.

The L99 is a 400-horsepower engine while its fraternal twin--LS3--is rated at 422 hp. The difference lies in the valvetrain; as the short-block, heads, and intake manifold are identical. One small note is that the L99 does have slightly less compression than the LS3.

BTW Nice car and good looking mods you have done on your Camaro, Pyroguy!

Vegas Bound · 12-22-2019, 02:24 PM

Some people get a hard on about the LS3 L99 thing.

pyroguy · 12-23-2019, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaberg

BTW Nice car and good looking mods you have done on your Camaro, Pyroguy!

Thank you very much! She's been a work in progress since 2013 and is getting close to where I'm happy with her...for now.

Good luck with your engine project!

lemontwist · 12-23-2019, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaberg

Thank you for correct me about engine. Yes, It's an automatic and a L99 not LS3. New on 5 gen I thought all SS had LS3, but as you wrote, automatic have L99.

The basic difference between the L99 and LS3 motors is that each one was built for a specific type of transmission. The more powerful LS3 engine is paired with Camaro SS models that feature the manual transmission. Likewise, the L99 comes from the factory in automatic Camaro SS automobiles.

The L99 is a 400-horsepower engine while its fraternal twin--LS3--is rated at 422 hp. The difference lies in the valvetrain; as the short-block, heads, and intake manifold are identical. One small note is that the L99 does have slightly less compression than the LS3.

BTW Nice car and good looking mods you have done on your Camaro, Pyroguy!

422HP no LS3 claims 426HP 420TQ

LOL. L99 400HP 410TQ

don't the L99 have afm that sucks or something like that

davidscamaro · 12-23-2019, 09:38 PM

Biggest difference is cam shaft and valves in the heads, with slight changes in compression

Red Jewel RS · 12-23-2019, 09:39 PM

Cars with the L99 is faster in the quarter that LS3...... that ought to stir things up a bit.

12-20-2019, 11:56 PM	#1
aaberg Drives: 1997 30th conv & 2012 45th conv Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 122 View My Garage	LS3 removal Camaro 2012 I hope someone can help me with a step-by-step guide how to remove my LS3 and seperate engine from automatic transmission. I need to get the engine out for restoration. I got the service manual but can't find any step-by-step guide or on google.

12-21-2019, 05:59 PM	#7
InFiD3ViL Drives: 2010 CGM 2SS/RS LS3 Swapped A6 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Spring Hill, FL Posts: 4,576	I removed from the top. As long as you have jack stands, ramps, hoist you should be good. Just make sure to properly support the transmission. Also, I would highly suggest you remove the front bumper cover. You will be hard pressed for hoist clearance if you don't. IDK what happened, but when I did my recent swap I lost all my freon. Tied my compressor back to the passenger side and didn't touch it after that until reinstall of the LS3. After install was complete, tried my AC...nothing. Ran a pressure test and it was completely empty. Tried a refill. Was nice and cool until about an hour later. I could see the freon leaked out near the main 2 lines fitting. I guess it somehow loosened or the seal got messed up when it was moved. I was very careful with it. Sorry for the thread derail. Just saying to be careful when you are moving that compressor around. __________________ 2010 CGM Camaro 2SS LS3 Swapped A6 - GPI LS3 SS1 .647/.638, (224/237, 112 +4, 7º overlap) on CamMotion 8620 core, BTR Platinum .660" Dual Spring kit w/titanium retainers, CHE bronze trunnion upgrade, stock heads milled @ .015, Melling HV 10296 oil pump, TSP 1-7/8" long tube headers (W/Catless Off-road Pipes), Corsa Xtreme 3" Catback, GPI Ported/Rod Mod Intake, Stage 2 Ported Throttle Body, Vararam OTR CAI, Mike Norris Gen 2 catch can + GM 1LE clean side separator, 160º thermostat - Megan Racing adjustable coilovers (lowered 1.75"), MRR M017 10/11" wheels-Tuned by Ryan @ GPI

12-21-2019, 09:54 PM	#8
pyroguy Started#gottalovethatblue Drives: ABM #831 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: TN Posts: 6,924 View My Garage	Since others have basically answered your question, you know that if you have a car with an automatic from the factory you have a L99 and not a LS3, right? __________________ '10 Camaro 2SS/RS \| Aqua Blue #831 of 3,903 \| Silver Stripes Check out my build thread

12-22-2019, 12:48 PM	#9
aaberg Drives: 1997 30th conv & 2012 45th conv Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 122 View My Garage	Update: L99 not LS3 Thank you for correct me about engine. Yes, It's an automatic and a L99 not LS3. New on 5 gen I thought all SS had LS3, but as you wrote, automatic have L99. The basic difference between the L99 and LS3 motors is that each one was built for a specific type of transmission. The more powerful LS3 engine is paired with Camaro SS models that feature the manual transmission. Likewise, the L99 comes from the factory in automatic Camaro SS automobiles. The L99 is a 400-horsepower engine while its fraternal twin--LS3--is rated at 422 hp. The difference lies in the valvetrain; as the short-block, heads, and intake manifold are identical. One small note is that the L99 does have slightly less compression than the LS3. BTW Nice car and good looking mods you have done on your Camaro, Pyroguy!

12-23-2019, 09:38 PM	#13
davidscamaro Drives: 2010 SS/RS M6 BIG cam Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: McDonald's DT Posts: 857	Biggest difference is cam shaft and valves in the heads, with slight changes in compression __________________ BIG cam ...... 305 45 18 Mickys ...... BMR suspensions

12-21-2019, 12:26 AM	#2
Vegas Bound Account Suspended Drives: 2013 Sparkly Red One Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Hospitality State Posts: 2,558	Disconnect battery, drop exhaust, drop driveshaft, tie back AC compressor, disconnect top of front struts, tie back front calipers, split main fuse box, drain coolant, disconnect coolant lines, drop entire front cradle, 6 bolts, with engine and trans in place. Hopefully you have a lift, much easier that way. I might be missing a couple small steps.

12-21-2019, 07:34 AM	#3
G8One2 Drives: 2014 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 492	If your dropping it from the bottom, theres no need to disconnect the struts or the brakes. Idk why people do that. Making more work for themselves. Just disconnect the balljoints from the hubs. Leave the brakes and the struts alone. Drop it that way. Out the bottom isnt really necessary either. It will come out the top if you dont have the means to get the car high enough to drop it from the bottom.

12-21-2019, 09:07 AM	#4
Vegas Bound Account Suspended Drives: 2013 Sparkly Red One Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Hospitality State Posts: 2,558	There are at least 2 ways to skin a cat.

12-21-2019, 10:49 AM	#5
aaberg Drives: 1997 30th conv & 2012 45th conv Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 122 View My Garage	I was thinking to remove from the top.

12-21-2019, 12:19 PM	#6
G8One2 Drives: 2014 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 492	If you pull it from the top, you may need to remove the front fascia if the boom on your cherry picker wont reach. You can leave the core support. Just remove the upper and lower radiator hoses and the heater hoses. Unbolt the ac compressor and the power steering pump if you have one, rest it aside. Take the whole engine /trans harness with the engine when you pull it. Make your life easier when putting it back together. Unplug it from the ECM and disconnect it from the fuse box.

12-22-2019, 02:24 PM	#10
Vegas Bound Account Suspended Drives: 2013 Sparkly Red One Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Hospitality State Posts: 2,558	Some people get a hard on about the LS3 L99 thing.

12-23-2019, 09:39 PM	#14
Red Jewel RS Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Billings, MT Posts: 891 View My Garage	Cars with the L99 is faster in the quarter that LS3...... that ought to stir things up a bit.