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

Chainsaw6 · 07-28-2012, 04:41 PM

What exactly is involved in an LS3 conversion? The only things I can find about it are posts on this site, but nothing describes what exactly happens or what benefits are achieved. If somebody could explain that to me, I'd much appreciate it.

2SS45th · 07-28-2012, 05:41 PM

When you convert to an LS3, you swap the valvetrain from the LS3 into an L99, making it an LS3. You change lifters, cam, and springs. The valves stay. It strengthens the valvetrain, deletes VVT, DOD, and AFM. You can also run aggressive cams with less worry.

Chainsaw6 · 07-28-2012, 06:15 PM

Oh ok, but do you get the 26 hp back and is it really worth all the money to have that done?

InfernoSS88 · 07-28-2012, 06:17 PM

I was also interested in this info as well

2SS45th · 07-28-2012, 06:54 PM

Well, you get more than 26hp. Depending on your choice of camshaft, you can get well over 70hp. You also have to do this conversion to do further mods in most cases. You can also have the rough idle (chop chop chop).

K32 Camaro · 07-28-2012, 07:32 PM

I believe if you put the stock ls3 cam in then you get the 26 back at the crank. No reason you wouldn't put in one with the most gains though. I've heard the vvt3 makes about 100 crank hp. While your in I would get bored heads.

2SS45th · 07-28-2012, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K32 Camaro

I believe if you put the stock ls3 cam in then you get the 26 back at the crank. No reason you wouldn't put in one with the most gains though. I've heard the vvt3 makes about 100 crank hp. While your in I would get bored heads.

You can't run a vvt3 cam when you switch to an LS3. The LS3 doesn't have VVT. After you switch you can only run LS3 cams. Bored heads aren't neccessay, they're hugely exspensive, and the LS3 heads are identical flow to the LSA in the ZL1. The cam with the most gains might not be right, although hp is important, drivability is more so!

Chainsaw6 · 07-28-2012, 07:48 PM

What's a good price to pay to have this done?

2SS45th · 07-28-2012, 08:25 PM

It really depends on who you have do it. I always try to get a mechanic to do work on the side to save a bit. You'd probably be looking at 3k, not sure because I haven't done one. SUX2BU had a cam done for $400 installed. I'd PM a local shop on the forum and go from there.

infernometallicSS · 07-28-2012, 08:38 PM

Actually the compression ratio is different too, so you would need heads as well. If I'm not mistaken.

infernometallicSS · 07-28-2012, 08:40 PM

^To clarify: the above post said will it be an "LS3" then? Sorry should have used the quote feature. Haha.

2SS45th · 07-28-2012, 08:42 PM

An L99 is simply an LS3 with a different valvetrain. If the CR was different, the hp would be way different. Also, GM would not spend the extra money to have different pistons/heads. Heads are both L92 rectangular.

Russell James · 07-28-2012, 09:17 PM

The L99 has .3 less compression. The pistons are different, valve reliefs to accomodate the VVT.

daveagogo1 · 07-28-2012, 11:48 PM

Every L99 to LS3 conversion makes much more than the 26HP back because nobody slaps a stock LS3 cam into the conversion. What would be the point of doing it?

If your going to do the conversion then get a sweet cam that moves you up the food chain.

There are several VVT cams now so that is always an option but most choose the LS3 route.

07-28-2012, 04:41 PM	#1
Chainsaw6 Drives: Black/Black 2SS-RS Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 32 View My Garage	LS3 conversion What exactly is involved in an LS3 conversion? The only things I can find about it are posts on this site, but nothing describes what exactly happens or what benefits are achieved. If somebody could explain that to me, I'd much appreciate it.

07-28-2012, 05:41 PM	#2
2SS45th Drives: 11 Seconds or Faster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Arvada, Colorado Posts: 2,797 View My Garage	When you convert to an LS3, you swap the valvetrain from the LS3 into an L99, making it an LS3. You change lifters, cam, and springs. The valves stay. It strengthens the valvetrain, deletes VVT, DOD, and AFM. You can also run aggressive cams with less worry. __________________ I Ain't About That Stock Life.

07-28-2012, 06:54 PM	#5
2SS45th Drives: 11 Seconds or Faster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Arvada, Colorado Posts: 2,797 View My Garage	Well, you get more than 26hp. Depending on your choice of camshaft, you can get well over 70hp. You also have to do this conversion to do further mods in most cases. You can also have the rough idle (chop chop chop). __________________ I Ain't About That Stock Life.

07-28-2012, 08:25 PM	#9
2SS45th Drives: 11 Seconds or Faster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Arvada, Colorado Posts: 2,797 View My Garage	It really depends on who you have do it. I always try to get a mechanic to do work on the side to save a bit. You'd probably be looking at 3k, not sure because I haven't done one. SUX2BU had a cam done for $400 installed. I'd PM a local shop on the forum and go from there. __________________ I Ain't About That Stock Life.

07-28-2012, 08:38 PM	#10
infernometallicSS Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Best Run - 10.93@125 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: San Tan Valley, Arizona Posts: 515 View My Garage	Actually the compression ratio is different too, so you would need heads as well. If I'm not mistaken. __________________

07-28-2012, 06:15 PM	#3
Chainsaw6 Drives: Black/Black 2SS-RS Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 32 View My Garage	Oh ok, but do you get the 26 hp back and is it really worth all the money to have that done?

07-28-2012, 06:17 PM	#4
InfernoSS88 Drives: 2011 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Illinois Posts: 85	I was also interested in this info as well

07-28-2012, 07:32 PM	#6
K32 Camaro V8 lounge member #5 Drives: 12 2SS Synergy Camaro, 05 PontiacG6 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,301	I believe if you put the stock ls3 cam in then you get the 26 back at the crank. No reason you wouldn't put in one with the most gains though. I've heard the vvt3 makes about 100 crank hp. While your in I would get bored heads.

07-28-2012, 07:48 PM	#8
Chainsaw6 Drives: Black/Black 2SS-RS Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 32 View My Garage	What's a good price to pay to have this done?

07-28-2012, 08:40 PM	#11
infernometallicSS Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Best Run - 10.93@125 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: San Tan Valley, Arizona Posts: 515 View My Garage	^To clarify: the above post said will it be an "LS3" then? Sorry should have used the quote feature. Haha. __________________

07-28-2012, 08:42 PM	#12
2SS45th Drives: 11 Seconds or Faster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Arvada, Colorado Posts: 2,797 View My Garage	An L99 is simply an LS3 with a different valvetrain. If the CR was different, the hp would be way different. Also, GM would not spend the extra money to have different pistons/heads. Heads are both L92 rectangular. __________________ I Ain't About That Stock Life.

07-28-2012, 09:17 PM	#13
Russell James Drives: '15 SS 1LE, '69 Z28 drag car Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mich Posts: 4,482	The L99 has .3 less compression. The pistons are different, valve reliefs to accomodate the VVT.