Competition CAMS nearly ready to release their L99 cams for the VVT AND AFM!

[PatrickfromMD]

I just got off the phone with a Comp Cams tech who did some work in the R&D area and who keeps close tabs on the development of their new line of CAMs for the L99 motor.
Competition CAMS already has a line of CAMs for the VVT motors without AFM (DOD) or for motors that have the DOD scraped .
They use a cam phaser limiter to reduce the max range of adjustment from 50- 60 down to 20 degrees. This allows the additional clearance for more lift (I think 30-40 was a conservative number mentioned, but I could be wrong)

For the L99 VVT application and retaining the AFM, preliminary numbers suggest .500 is the max lift that the stock AFM lifters can accommodate (or pretty much stock… does anyone know the L99 and LS3 cam specs)
Can’t do high ratio rockers without also adding stress to the stock lifters, nor can you use stiffer springs (though I don’t see any need to with a low lift cam)
Most of the gains will be from increased duration.
Comp Cams will come out with 2 or 3 VVT grinds supporting AFM.
(They have their lead developer working hard at finalizing the profiles )
I was told that the tuning needs to be reprogrammed so the advance mechanism does not try and force the cam to advance beyond the desired range and have to compete against the phaser limiter)

He told me to call back next Friday and he should have more details, and likely availability of these new grinds.

That’s the extent of my notes.

Note: Being somewhat old school, I did not know you could swap the cam without removing the lifters or intake, Now I’m really happy.

So, for me I’m waiting to see what sort of gains are possible without removing the AFM (which the service dept will likely spot more easily than a cam swap)
I’m watching Comp Cams and New Era to see what is possible with the AFM intact.
Things are getting interesting .....

[Hemlawk]

This is great news for L99 owners!

.500 lift is enough With a longer duration, will ya need to get new injector to handle the fuel demand?

[DanD]

the lifters are in retainers, so once the rocker arms are off, the cam is rotated and the lifters stay up..

as for injectors, no need, the stockers should handle to close to 550 hp I bet.. or 475rwhp..

[9c1ny]

cool! cant wait to see some numbers!

[Late Model Racecraft]

Originally Posted by DanD

the lifters are in retainers, so once the rocker arms are off, the cam is rotated and the lifters stay up..

as for injectors, no need, the stockers should handle to close to 550 hp I bet.. or 475rwhp..

The lifters are in lifter trays. You have to spin the stock cam shaft at least 360* to pump the lifters up. Once that is done you can pull out your old cam shaft and install the new one. You just have to be VERY carefull a lifter does not fall. If it does, ALOT more labor is involved that you do not want to hear about.

[GTAHVIT]

Originally Posted by Late Model Racecraft

The lifters are in lifter trays. You have to spin the stock cam shaft at least 360* to pump the lifters up. Once that is done you can pull out your old cam shaft and install the new one. You just have to be VERY carefull a lifter does not fall. If it does, ALOT more labor is involved that you do not want to hear about.

Sounds like experience talking.....

[H3LLJumper]

Is this legal to do in Virginia? xD!

[DanD]

Originally Posted by Late Model Racecraft

The lifters are in lifter trays. You have to spin the stock cam shaft at least 360* to pump the lifters up. Once that is done you can pull out your old cam shaft and install the new one. You just have to be VERY carefull a lifter does not fall. If it does, ALOT more labor is involved that you do not want to hear about.

there are the magnet tricks and others to help make sure the lifters stay up.. I built one of the first Darton sleeved 427 LS motors back lots of yrs ago, so I am aware of whats up on these motors.. no worries there

[Andro]

Good news for the L99 crowd

[pharmd]

Mast motorsports has been doing VVT cams for over 2 years now...they are way ahead of the curve...you should check them out.

[Late Model Racecraft]

Originally Posted by pharmd

Mast motorsports has been doing VVT cams for over 2 years now...they are way ahead of the curve...you should check them out.

They are not the only ones. We have the single bolt cams from Comp and the cam phasers in stock just for this reason. Now all we need is our first L99 customer to walk in the door wanting a cam installed!

[PatrickfromMD]

Originally Posted by Late Model Racecraft

They are not the only ones. We have the single bolt cams from Comp and the cam phasers in stock just for this reason. Now all we need is our first L99 customer to walk in the door wanting a cam installed!

You carry CAMs optimized for the VVT and retain the AFM functionality?
If you were 2000 miles closer you might see me walk through your door. Anyone doing this work in the VA/MD area?

[ZZcamaro]

I would say give Comp a call, or shop their website when they are available...and find a good shop for the install...I could shwo you some good folks in the Phili or NYC area for the work.

[PatrickfromMD]

Originally Posted by ZZcamaro

I would say give Comp a call, or shop their website when they are available...and find a good shop for the install...I could shwo you some good folks in the Phili or NYC area for the work.

I’m be looking for a MD/No Va shop that can do a baseline dyno pull, then I’ll add exhaust, CAI, under drive pulley (perhaps a overdrive alternator pulley as I want to add a small sub/amp).
Then bring it back for the cam install , tune with a final dyno pull.

(with the tune I’m also looking to tweak the AFM as well as do something about the shift lag, and other aspects on the automatic trans. perhaps a easy way to return the tune to stock if I ever have to return to the dealer for powertrain issues)

Once I get use to this combination (and see that the Power train is sound) , I may consider the Maggie (and say then goodbye to the engine warrantee)