Questions about installing a cam in an l99

[TrackZero]

I have pretty much decided I an going to put a tsp vvt-3 cam in my car. I am looking to do the install myself, but all I can find is ls3 installs, which I can use most of, but I am concerned about the vvt stuff. Does anyone know of a writeup on this?

I am also going to do the oil pump while I am in there. As well add reunions, out yella terra rockers, any suggestions here?

I already have a 3600 stall, anything else I need to order?

Thanks in advance for any and all help!

[TrackZero]

I also have HP tuners, and do my own tuning. As well as a CAI cold air. I doubt either of those matter, but figured I would try to get as much information out add I can.

[speedmon]

As long as you're gonna rip the heads off might as well convert it to an LS3.

The TSP VVT cams require replacement of the lifters....gotta rip the heads off.

Their AFM cams work with the existing lifters

[TrackZero]

Is there an advantage to doing the ls3 conversion? I can't really find a compelling reason.

[Ohten]

Originally Posted by TrackZero

Is there an advantage to doing the ls3 conversion? I can't really find a compelling reason.

To get rid of AFM which can be turned off with a hand held programmer.

[nighttowl]

when they dynoed my car, they zeroed out the advance on the cam, and got 452 rwhp. just changing the phaser tables added hp all across the board.

[speedmon]

Originally Posted by TrackZero

Is there an advantage to doing the ls3 conversion? I can't really find a compelling reason.

You can put a better cam in the engine and with a greater then .5 inch lift. And it will make more power.
But you can only do that if you replace the lifters.....

The standard lift on a an LS3 cam is .55 inch.


It depends on how much power you want to make.....but the L99 engine concept was developed for fuel efficiency not power.

[TrackZero]

From what I was reading, it didn't seem that any ls3 cams where making much if any more power than the vvt-3, can you point me at an ls3cam to look at? I really want to make add much power as I can, and still keep it moderately streetable.

[speedmon]

Originally Posted by TrackZero

From what I was reading, it didn't seem that any ls3 cams where making much if any more power than the vvt-3, can you point me at an ls3cam to look at? I really want to make add much power as I can, and still keep it moderately streetable.

You should talk to a nearby tuner and find out what they can commit to as far as power estimates on a cam for an auto and a 3400 stall (big stall)....450-460?

I think with the vvt-3 (TSP cam right?) the lifters have to be replaced (heads come off) so you're deep into a conversion anywho.

[camslambam]

If you have any long term plans of power... like forced induction, ls3 conversion will be the way to go.

If you plan on staying cam only with a stall then the vvt3 is pretty much rock solid.

Here's what a mid sized cam with LS3 conversion sounds like.

[CFD]

When people talk LS3 conversion they can be confusing. The best way to describe it is in 2 portions, AFM/DOD and VVT. If doing the TSP VVT-3 cam you will be doing the AFM delete which includes the lifters and related components. If at some point in the future you decide to use a non VVT cam the change is the same as changing any cam there would be no reason to pull the heads again. In doing this cam, dealing with the cam phaser is no problem, very simple in fact, just follow the instructions. All of the procedure you will need to follow is the same as an LS3 with the exception of the cam phaser, the cam bolt is never mentioned when changing the cam on the L99 but from what I learned is that it is also a TTY bolt and should be changed but as I said no instructions I've seen mention changing it, I did, If I remember right it is 30-40 bucks.

I can tell you the VVT-3 cam sounds great and runs real strong, you won't be disappointed.

[TrackZero]

It may make sense for me to just go ls3 conversion, as it could simplify the tunning. Since I will be doing heads any way. No I just need to hear back from the few vendors I reached out to and see what they say.

[speedmon]

Now you have me reading TSPs webpages for cams.......
If you poke the dynojet button on the top of the cam description it displays the dyno results.

It looks like the VVT-3 is around 450 but the highest power LS3 cam made 560....according to their dyno charts.......

It all depends on what make sense with the auto.

[TrackZero]

Interesting, what cam did you see had 560, that may be an for me.

[speedmon]

Originally Posted by TrackZero

Interesting, what cam did you see had 560, that may be an for me.

http://texas-speed.com/p-79-texas-sp...-camshaft.aspx

This was on an LS3 Manual......
Serious lift! and serious power.

You should just call them and ask them what is the most agressive cam that will work with an auto......including max stall.

[TrackZero]

I have an email in to them, add well add lethal racing, unfortunately neither company had gotten back to me yet. I was hoping to do this work over the forth of July week, but that may not be able to happen now.

[camslambam]

Originally Posted by TrackZero

I have an email in to them, add well add lethal racing, unfortunately neither company had gotten back to me yet. I was hoping to do this work over the forth of July week, but that may not be able to happen now.

I would seriously consider Ted with his cam/ls3 conversion.
I was able to trap 118 on an auto with his cam in 100F+ and 80-90% humidity. Very impressive cam.
Remember you are an auto, so don't look at HP numbers. I was trapping 118 at like 420rwhp, faster than a lot of guys on here with 480-490rwhp.... It's all in the gearing and tune and no better tuner imo than Ted.

You might want to start thinking about a new differential though. My differential survived 2 whole days after my cam install.

[speedmon]

If you are gonna do the work yourself......don't crack the seal on the motor...the work gets too intricate.
You're really only gonna get top-end power from a cam anyway.

Just buy one of those ECS supercharger kits....its total external bolt-on, easier than a cam swap, and doesn't really affect the driveability of the car at low RPMs........550 to the wheels.

If thats too much $$...like $5K
Then do gears and a tune first......gears will make your car quicker without a cam than a cam will without gears.

Just a thought....cams have always disappointed me.

[kaler]

Originally Posted by camslambam

I would seriously consider Ted with his cam/ls3 conversion.
I was able to trap 118 on an auto with his cam in 100F+ and 80-90% humidity. Very impressive cam.
Remember you are an auto, so don't look at HP numbers. I was trapping 118 at like 420rwhp, faster than a lot of guys on here with 480-490rwhp.... It's all in the gearing and tune and no better tuner imo than Ted.

You might want to start thinking about a new differential though. My differential survived 2 whole days after my cam install.

Now you are talking my language. How a cam performs at the track is what matters to me and is the number one reason I went with a VVT cam.

L99..... VVT cams vs LS3 conversion at the track.

Fastest H/C combo.. TSP VVT-3 11.17 @ 121.42

Fastest cam only combo.... TSP VVT-3. 11.47 @ 119.62

Top 5.... 3 VVT/ 2 conv.

Top 10... 5 VVT/ 5 conv.

The fact LS3 conversions out number VVT cams 9 to 1 makes it even more impressive.

[TrackZero]

Camslambam: what happened with the diff? Did you just need the posi mod, or did you need an actual new diff?

Kaler: Did you install the cam yourself, and what cam did you go with?