Cam installation questions

[LibLoather]

A few cam install questions for the LS3 if any one knows.

1) Where do you find the "cam tool", which are rods that slide into the oil channels (see Cam Tool) to hold the lifters up off the cam?

2) Isn't it usually best to replace the lifters along with the cam shaft so they can "break-in" together?

3 I presume to replace the lifters the rockers, intake manifold, and valley plate must be removed. Is that right?

4) Does the LS3 have friction style hydraulic lifters or roller style?

5) Back in the day, hydraulic lifters for a new cam were adjusted by setting each rocker to have a specific "static" clearance with the valve tip (e.g., 0.005") then the engine was started and each rocker was adjusted by loosening it until it "chattered", then tightened until the chatter stopped. Is this the same general procedure used on the LS3 engine?

Thanks in advance for input!

[95droptopZ]

Originally Posted by LibLoather

A few cam install questions for the LS3 if any one knows.

1) Where do you find the "cam tool", which are rods that slide into the oil channels (see Cam Tool) to hold the lifters up off the cam?
http://www.thunderracing.com/catalog...1&sid=108#P615

2) Isn't it usually best to replace the lifters along with the cam shaft so they can "break-in" together?
LS3/L99 uses roller lifters, most are re-using the stock lifters

3 I presume to replace the lifters the rockers, intake manifold, and valley plate must be removed. Is that right?
Yes, plus removal of the heads for lifter replacement

4) Does the LS3 have friction style hydraulic lifters or roller style?
Roller

5) Back in the day, hydraulic lifters for a new cam were adjusted by setting each rocker to have a specific "static" clearance with the valve tip (e.g., 0.005") then the engine was started and each rocker was adjusted by loosening it until it "chattered", then tightened until the chatter stopped. Is this the same general procedure used on the LS3 engine?
Now you torque the rocker shaft to I believe 22 ft. lbs and use different length pushrods to adjust lash.


Thanks in advance for input!

Here are a couple links that should get you started in the right direction for info. Good luck!

Good upgrade for stock rockers with higher lift cams
http://www.compperformancegroupstore...Category_Code=

http://www.compcams.com/information/...yID=1508422545

Valve spring compressor
http://www.cranecams.com/?show=brows...Number=99472-1

A couple websites with a step by step on LS1's (same as an LS3 I'm told)
http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...ild/index.html

http://ls1howto.com/index.php?article=23

Info on pushrod length
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/genera...od-length.html

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/genera...od-length.html

Another spring compressor tool
http://ls1tech.com/forums/tools-fabr...available.html

A couple videos showing a cam change

[LibLoather]

Originally Posted by 95droptopZ

Here are a couple links that should get you started in the right direction for info. Good luck!

Good upgrade for stock rockers with higher lift cams
http://www.compperformancegroupstore...Category_Code=

http://www.compcams.com/information/...yID=1508422545

Valve spring compressor
http://www.cranecams.com/?show=brows...Number=99472-1

A couple websites with a step by step on LS1's (same as an LS3 I'm told)
http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...ild/index.html

http://ls1howto.com/index.php?article=23

Info on pushrod length
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/genera...od-length.html

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/genera...od-length.html

Another spring compressor tool
http://ls1tech.com/forums/tools-fabr...available.html

A couple videos showing a cam change

Thanks 95droptopZ! :-)

[BLK2SS]

No need to replace the lifters on a roller cam. I just used a couple of TIG welding rods to ensure the lifters didn't drop. Also, no need to worry about lash adjustment as long as you are not going with a different size base circle. You will need new bolts for the cam gear and harmonic balancer.

[LibLoather]

Originally Posted by BLK2SS

No need to replace the lifters on a roller cam. I just used a couple of TIG welding rods to ensure the lifters didn't drop. Also, no need to worry about lash adjustment as long as you are not going with a different size base circle. You will need new bolts for the cam gear and harmonic balancer.

WOW, more great tips! Good idea on the tig rods, I may just hit Home Depot and get a couple fiberglass rods.

Would you happen to know the specs of the stock cam? Duration, Lift, LTA and base circle size?

[BLK2SS]

Originally Posted by LibLoather

WOW, more great tips! Good idea on the tig rods, I may just hit Home Depot and get a couple fiberglass rods.

Would you happen to know the specs of the stock cam? Duration, Lift, LTA and base circle size?

Here are the specs for the LS3 stock cam. 204/211 @.050 .551/.525 117

It uses 2 different base circles: 19mm for the intake and 19.3 for the exhaust. The intake and exhaust valves are different lengths so your pushrods should all be the same.

[LibLoather]

Originally Posted by BLK2SS

Here are the specs for the LS3 stock cam. 204/211 @.050 .551/.525 117

It uses 2 different base circles: 19mm for the intake and 19.3 for the exhaust. The intake and exhaust valves are different lengths so your pushrods should all be the same.

Now that's interesting with regard to the two different base circle sizes. If I buy a new cam and the base circles are the same, I'll need to have 2 different length push rods, right?

Do you know of a cam with duration in the 225-235 range and lift in 0.590-0.620 that has the two different base circle sizes? I'd like to avoid having to size and buy new pushrods.

[BLK2SS]

Originally Posted by LibLoather

Now that's interesting with regard to the two different base circle sizes. If I buy a new cam and the base circles are the same, I'll need to have 2 different length push rods, right?

Do you know of a cam with duration in the 225-235 range and lift in 0.590-0.620 that has the two different base circle sizes? I'd like to avoid having to size and buy new pushrods.

I'm running the Mast Motorsports stage 2 cam, 225/231 .601 .606 114 LSA. I didn't need to change anything other than the springs. I also changed the trunnions in the rocker and replaced the pushrods (stock legth). There should be several cams out there that you can use. I would talk to Livernois, Texas Speed, LG Motorsports, any one of them should be able to help you out.

[Go Fast Kid]

I just purchased a new cam from Comp Cams. They supplied all the required parts, new springs come in a kit with the spring seats, retainers and valve seals. They recommended replacing the push rods however the stock size worked fine. The CAM 146-456-11 is a street performance CAM and did not change the base circle.

Call them and get their advice.

[LibLoather]

Originally Posted by Go Fast Kid

I just purchased a new cam from Comp Cams. They supplied all the required parts, new springs come in a kit with the spring seats, retainers and valve seals. They recommended replacing the push rods however the stock size worked fine. The CAM 146-456-11 is a street performance CAM and did not change the base circle.

Call them and get their advice.

Great, thanks Kid!

[LibLoather]

Originally Posted by BLK2SS

I'm running the Mast Motorsports stage 2 cam, 225/231 .601 .606 114 LSA. I didn't need to change anything other than the springs. I also changed the trunnions in the rocker and replaced the pushrods (stock legth). There should be several cams out there that you can use. I would talk to Livernois, Texas Speed, LG Motorsports, any one of them should be able to help you out.

Damn Black, that sounds SICK! What exhaust is that?

[BLK2SS]

Originally Posted by LibLoather

Damn Black, that sounds SICK! What exhaust is that?

I'm running the Kooks 1 3/4 headers without cats and the Borla S-type catback. I'm thinking about getting the Borla touring mufflers...this thing is loud when you are cruising....I'm getting alot of unwanted looks. You might want to check into the cam that Vector just recently posted about.

[danhr]

everything has already been covered. other than you really should double check pushrod length. It's just something that you should always check imho.

here's a dinky video of my tsp 231/236 cam.