Started my L99 to LS3 conversion and new cam install today!...Photos and Videos

[1Camaro2SS]

Originally Posted by litle88

That's awesome!

Not that hard hu? Are you checking your PTV? It's easy too, I used clay. Just need about 2-3 bolt on the head. No torquing down just a Lil tightening. You got valve reliefs but you know me, cautious and piece of mind lol.

Not too bad! Once you know what to check, it makes good sense.

Yep, that's the plan to check PtV as well. I was going to use the clay method you mentioned as well as the dial indicator on the spring retainer. I guess one method can be sufficient but I want to go through the excercise.

[Sikoriko]

Are you going to tune the engine and transmission? I like this write up keep up the good work.

[1Camaro2SS]

Originally Posted by Sikoriko

Are you going to tune the engine and transmission? I like this write up keep up the good work.

Yes, I will have it tuned on a dyno. Thanks, glad you like it.

[Nitroman28]

Just curious why you pulled the motor to do the LS3 conversion?

[1Camaro2SS]

Originally Posted by Nitroman28

Just curious why you pulled the motor to do the LS3 conversion?

I'm installing a new torque converter as well so I had to either pull the engine or the trans. Since the engine needed a lot of work, I might as well pull it out and be in a better position to do the work. I also wanted to install a new oil pan gasket which is impossible to do unless you raise the engine several inches. Its so much better to work on the engine this way. I am able to rotate the engine on the stand and get a really good view of what I'm working on.

[RED DEMON SS]

Originally Posted by 1Camaro2SS

I'm installing a new torque converter as well so I had to either pull the engine or the trans. Since the engine needed a lot of work, I might as well pull it out and be in a better position to do the work. I also wanted to install a new oil pan gasket which is impossible to do unless you raise the engine several inches. Its so much better to work on the engine this way. I am able to rotate the engine on the stand and get a really good view of what I'm working on.

It is easier to pull the engine to do the work as i did all of this and more to my L99, the only difference is i dropped my whole front rolling chassis below the car, it is much easier to drop the motor then to pull it out of the engine bay upwards!
Pretty easy job if you have the time and patience!

[was619]

Wow great to see someone turning wrenches like this. Please keep the pictures coming!
I will be installing a Cam/oil pump/c5R timing set/valve springs this coming spring on my ls3. with the tranmission issues that they are known for I almost wish I got the l99.
Any suggestions for cams? lol

[markmass]

Originally Posted by 1Camaro2SS

Markmass, How do you like your cam and 3200 stall? Is 3200 sufficient?

Sorry mate -- just seen this

The 3200 stall is fine - it really helps --- basically couldn't drive with a stock TC!
I have a pretty aggressive CAM.. GET-TORQ have it for a couple of days (pick up tomorrow) fine tuning and adding J-pipes to the SOLO Mach-XL to deaden the resonator drone at 1800rpm. I have the Torque management turned off, so the gear changes are quick, and noticeable (cant really describe it) anyway they are tinkering with the line pressure to relax the changes in 'D', but aggressive in 'M'. Fuel economy --- errmmm don't ask!! but you will so....on a run I am probably at 17MPG. pure city is probably 8 to 9 - mix is around 12-13. but i probably drive 4k a year, no commute - so no biggie
I get some very light and occasional bucking up to 1400 rpm, its not a problem, and again i am sure the multi-disk TC soaks some of that up (i think??)
Overall - I love it - the sound is perfect - i could get a deck chair, a cold one, and listen to it all day!, the power is just outrageous over stock. I took it to a couple of small shows last week (Sawgrass Ford!!) it attracted a lot of attention particularly when fired up.

Looking forward to the updates!

Cheers

[Cpanthers85]

What did you decide on for the L99 wiring harness for the cam phaser?

Looks really good! You are def taking a lot longer time to clean things thoroughly than I did... Lol I just wanted the SC on!!!

[1Camaro2SS]

With so much debate over stuck oil pump or Melling, I decided to go with the Melling since it was cheap. Still not convinced its a better pump but i don't want to get into that now. I added a photo of the oil pump install using feeler gauges. Im feeling good about this one!

[1Camaro2SS]

Originally Posted by markmass

Sorry mate -- just seen this

The 3200 stall is fine - it really helps --- basically couldn't drive with a stock TC!
I have a pretty aggressive CAM.. GET-TORQ have it for a couple of days (pick up tomorrow) fine tuning and adding J-pipes to the SOLO Mach-XL to deaden the resonator drone at 1800rpm. I have the Torque management turned off, so the gear changes are quick, and noticeable (cant really describe it) anyway they are tinkering with the line pressure to relax the changes in 'D', but aggressive in 'M'. Fuel economy --- errmmm don't ask!! but you will so....on a run I am probably at 17MPG. pure city is probably 8 to 9 - mix is around 12-13. but i probably drive 4k a year, no commute - so no biggie
I get some very light and occasional bucking up to 1400 rpm, its not a problem, and again i am sure the multi-disk TC soaks some of that up (i think??)
Overall - I love it - the sound is perfect - i could get a deck chair, a cold one, and listen to it all day!, the power is just outrageous over stock. I took it to a couple of small shows last week (Sawgrass Ford!!) it attracted a lot of attention particularly when fired up.

Looking forward to the updates!

Cheers

Sounds awesome man. I decided to go with a 3600 stall based on recommendations although 3200 would have been fine also.

[PQ]

Originally Posted by 1Camaro2SS

I used a razor blade and scraped off the thick layer from the flat areas then I used scotch Brite pads along with sea foam but that dint work so well. I then used the pads with Scrubbing Bubbles (bathroom cleaner) to make the really clean. This was all done with piston at TDC and engine rotated on the side to avoid crap from going in the cylinder. I also used a shop vac and contantly vacuumed around the piston area.

I used steel wool and seafoam. I coated my cylinder walls with oil really good so that if anything got in there it would just wipe out without scraping the walls.

[1Camaro2SS]

Originally Posted by Farthestnorth

It is easier to pull the engine to do the work as i did all of this and more to my L99, the only difference is i dropped my whole front rolling chassis below the car, it is much easier to drop the motor then to pull it out of the engine bay upwards!
Pretty easy job if you have the time and patience!

Yes that was another option. I lifted the engine from the top since my friend had the lift and let me borrow it.

Originally Posted by was619

Wow great to see someone turning wrenches like this. Please keep the pictures coming!
I will be installing a Cam/oil pump/c5R timing set/valve springs this coming spring on my ls3. with the tranmission issues that they are known for I almost wish I got the l99.
Any suggestions for cams? lol

Thanks and good luck with your install also. I am using the Comp LSr 231 247 .617 .621 cam. this is one of their off the shelf cams.

Originally Posted by Cpanthers85

What did you decide on for the L99 wiring harness for the cam phaser?

Looks really good! You are def taking a lot longer time to clean things thoroughly than I did... Lol I just wanted the SC on!!!

I started to modify the bracket but I don't like it. I may order an LS3 bracket and go from there. Haven't got that far yet but i will post pics of it later.

Originally Posted by PQ

I used steel wool and seafoam. I coated my cylinder walls with oil really good so that if anything got in there it would just wipe out without scraping the walls.

That sounds like a great idea PQ. Now I need to clean the heads. I hate the carbon buildup in there and seems so difficult to clean with all the curves, hard to scrape since the surfaces are not flat. I may not get too crazy with the heads and just focus on areas where the valves make contact.

[kaler]

Good stuff going on in here.. Great call on the 3600 stall.