blown LS3's with cams and tunes. whats the real deal

[2SSJIM]

I don't know the facts but have been wondering if those blown LS3's had the rev limiter removed and rev'd beyond the engines limits resulting in the failure. We only read one side of the story and did not witness what really happened and you know it's never our faults. LOL!

[Camarowguy]

Originally Posted by 2SSJIM

I don't know the facts but have been wondering if those blown LS3's had the rev limiter removed and rev'd beyond the engines limits resulting in the failure. We only read one side of the story and did not witness what really happened and you know it's never our faults. LOL!

Im gonna be straight up with you, I know I'll have a few people disagree...but that's ok. The ls3 has no valve reliefs on the piston. There are no hard facts as to what the biggest cam you can run in that engine with no piston to valve interference. It seems to be hit or miss. I think this is a big factor in the engine failures. Not all engines and camshafts have the exact same clearances, tolerances, timing etc. These small but many variables can likely be the culprit along with a missed shift or accidental over rev. This is the reason I would choose a smaller cam in the ls3, UNLESS the installer is going to degree the cam along with check the piston to valve clearance. I think too many times people have changed valve springs and slide a big bumpstick in and called it a day without knowing the true ptv clearance. Just sayin....

[Huggerorange73]

Originally Posted by 2010 SS RS

Rare yes but not uncommon. I personally think that the stock ls3 is engineered for stock power levels and after tearing mine apart after a cast piston failure I can honestly say the only part of the rotating assembly that was well built was the crank. I Beam powder forged rods are a joke if power is increased. Pistons and rings simply are average at best. But with that said and what you said you probably wont be to bad off with a crank and a good quality conservitive tune. Fuel delivery should be fine until your next go round of mods but your tuner should be taking those readings as well so you will have the heads up on potential issues. Your crank size sounds fine with exhuast valve size as well. Enjoy that new ride and enjoy the Camaro Life. Go see Andy at ADM...just my .02 cents worth

This....this..........this.

I was one of those failures....

Originally Posted by 2SSJIM

I don't know the facts but have been wondering if those blown LS3's had the rev limiter removed and rev'd beyond the engines limits resulting in the failure. We only read one side of the story and did not witness what really happened and you know it's never our faults. LOL!

I moved the limiter up, but only a bit...with a cam and upgraded springs it should spin to 7K safely. Be safe with your tune, leave the knock sensor sensitivity at OEM levels and beware the octane of the fuel you're running.

[tobalt]

Originally Posted by BullF-16

...Ive spent 21 years with over 30,000 lbs of thrust pushing me so its not like i need the thrill...

Vipers...Sierra Hotel!!!

[BullF-16]

Indeed, the Viper (the real Viper) not MOPAR was a kick in the rear when you light the wick.

I drove to work today and romped on it a couple times and I just naturally seem to shift at 4K to 5K. I never plan to take this on the track or street race the little punks around town. I just want to have a car that is different from the other 4 or 5 black SS's Ive seen driving around town.

I dont think i will ever take it up to 6k before a shift....why would I. I know i wont be utilizing all the benefits of the 231/236 but i dont care....I really like the way its gonna sound. My goal is a final RWHP of around 460-475. If i hit that then I am a happy CAMper.

[Jayrcr3]

Originally Posted by BullF-16

My goal is a final RWHP of around 460-475. If i hit that then I am a happy CAMper.

For a little while. lol

Did the Falcon ever feel slow after you got used to it?

[Synner]

I wouldn't touch the rev limiter without a lot of additional valvetrain mods. Getting things spinning that much faster is when things blow up fast unless supporting mods are done. Typically that means lightweight everything from valves, retainers, pistons, rods, etc. The less weight you have means the less stress you have but it starts to cost a fortune for those kinds of parts.

Just because a camshaft can make power in a higher rpm range doesn't mean the rest of the engine is designed to handle living in that rpm range. Valve float and PTV clearance both will kill an engine in an instant. A camshaft that requires a bump in rpm to see its peak typically means the right camshaft wasn't selected for the desired build unless those other parts are addressed.

[Louis @ LG Motorsports]

Since its inception, I have only seen a few LS3 failures. Make sure the tune is conservative, and you always use 93 oct. fuel. The valvesprings should be changed every 10-20k depending on the cam, and remember, the engine oil is the life blood of the car, dont be scared to change it!

[shines]

The first thing I did to my car when got it was put a cam, headers, and CAI on it. It's an LS3 and I never had a single problem with it. I even bounced it off the rev limiter a few times and never had an issue. Here are a few tips,

1) Have them use a cam with a 3-bolt timing sprocket. The LS3 typically comes with a single bolt that may not hold up with strong valve springs.
2) Upgrade to dual valve springs, there have been reports of upgraded cams busting the stock single springs.
3) Tell your tuner not to push the timing advance too far, just in case you get a bad tank of gas along the way.

By the way, F-16's are cool and all but I like the use of drones; keeps you guys safe and costs we tax payers far less money ;-)

[BullF-16]

Originally Posted by shines

The first thing I did to my car when got it was put a cam, headers, and CAI on it. It's an LS3 and I never had a single problem with it. I even bounced it off the rev limiter a few times and never had an issue. Here are a few tips,

1) Have them use a cam with a 3-bolt timing sprocket. The LS3 typically comes with a single bolt that may not hold up with strong valve springs.
2) Upgrade to dual valve springs, there have been reports of upgraded cams busting the stock single springs.
3) Tell your tuner not to push the timing advance too far, just in case you get a bad tank of gas along the way.

By the way, F-16's are cool and all but I like the use of drones; keeps you guys safe and costs we tax payers far less money ;-)

Thanks for the advice, it is a 3 bolt and the cam will be a SNL Vx cam. and the install includes dual valve springs. I will definitely tell them i want a fairly conservative tune, just not too conservative.

BTW, Drones suck ass! Never tell a fighter pilot you "like drones" being safe thousands of miles behind bad guy land is chicken shit! If you fly in combat like you train, you will be fine. I dont have to worry anymore, im recently retired and instructing new NATO fighter pilots in simulators now! The bottom feeders of pilot training classes are the ones getting assigned the toy airplanes.

[ducatisl]

Bull, you're doing everything most of us N/A guys have done: you're on the right track.

Now you, or anyone, may find the power eventually lacking, but a good, muscle-y, cam'd sound is never tiring.

[Jayrcr3]

Originally Posted by ducatisl

Bull, you're doing everything most of us N/A guys have done: you're on the right track.

Now you, or anyone, may find the power eventually lacking, but a good, muscle-y, cam'd sound is never tiring.

I rarely even turn on my radio since the cam install!