LS3 Power Upgrade Kit (From GM; comes with OEM ECU tune!)

[kquinn45]

Originally Posted by Camaro Dude

Full respect on your setup, but you may want to go for a 3-way switch, and try the full open setting. Would sound GREAT at partial throttle I'm willing to bet on yours

I do have a "Mild to Wild" switch that I basically just keep open all the time, probably should have just done a fuse pull but if I ever do LT's it will come in handy.

[hcsi99]

kquinn45, did you end up reusing the stock push rods and rockers or did you upgrade?

[kquinn45]

Originally Posted by hcsi99

kquinn45, did you end up reusing the stock push rods and rockers or did you upgrade?

I reused the stock push rods and rockers, figured it's such a mild cam upgrade that it should be fine.

[hcsi99]

Is this also the kit that when tuned can raise the redline to 7000 RPM?

[X25]

Originally Posted by hcsi99

Is this also the kit that when tuned can raise the redline to 7000 RPM?

Yep, that's the one. I looked up, and the tune is not mentioned in the Chevy performance catalog:
https://www.chevrolet.com/content/da...alog-web-1.pdf

I'm guessing GM no longer offers the tune. Well, if we know this set-up can handle 7100 RPM, I suppose we could get it tuned ourselves, too. By the way, the catalog states this kit adds 40 HP.

[hcsi99]

I'm curious to see how much power it will make with long tubes, z28 intake, throttle body, and tuned.

[X25]

Originally Posted by hcsi99

I'm curious to see how much power it will make with long tubes, z28 intake, throttle body, and tuned.

If I knew a good tuner, I could dare give it a shot. Alas, I don't know of anyone. I was hoping GM's own tune could be a solution, but sounds like it was not a real tune, but just change of rev limiter(!!). There are a few guys recommended by members here, but they are all very slow to respond to e-mails, and I don't think they care enough anyway. I'd have to learn to tune myself, and I just don't have the time for learning how to, and then do hours of driving and tuning :(

[hcsi99]

I'm fortunate enough to be close to places like black dog speed shop.

[kquinn45]

I'm getting my car tuned this Saturday at East Coast Supercharging, I'll let you know how it turns out.

[hcsi99]

Can't wait!

[Camaro Dude]

Originally Posted by 51LE50

You guys are thinking like I am, I like the drivability of a mild cam but also like the sound that says "unleash the beast!" from a more aggressive cam.
Was comparing cams last night in Chevy's Performance Catalogue and the LS7 cam (the one in the LS3 kit) isn't all that aggressive compared to the 'hot cam.'
What cam do you have in yours Camaro Dude?

Well I posted my specs above your post, +/1 one post if I recall(on tiny phone now can't look), but indeed, I left out the Manufacturer name, so I'm assuming that....: )

Cam Motion, custom spec.

Originally Posted by X25

If only I could know that it can last just as long as the stock cam, I'd be all over a cam. Alas, I'm pretty concerned since EVERYONE I know with cammed V8s eventually broke their engine at the track. Perhaps the LS7 cam might be right at that sweet spot.

To be honest, I don't know much about cam specs, but I know that .600+" lift is high

"Cammed V8's", does this apply to different types of V8's, or specifically the LS3?

.600+ lift is high for??

Indeed, yes it is high for stock springs, and the agreed upon unit of threshold, where endurance begins to get compromised, but as I purposefully mentioned in my post , we have a simple fix for that, with tried and tested HD springs, particularly the dual variety, eg, Brian Tooley.

IMHO, if a hardware exists, to negate the negative effects of venturing near, but not over , "The dreaded .600 mark", then it almost becomes silly in my view, to not take full advantage of that existing hardware, for the price of a mere 100 coffees, "and get on with it" as the Brits would say.

Man that was a long sentence lol.

[X25]

I understand you. If there is hardware to withstand, by all means, why not use it, right? That said, in my experience, stronger materials (like forged race pistons, higher rated springs, etc.) can be much stronger in short term, but they also have a much higher failure rate in the long term. I also remember reading about dual springs and how they may cause harmonic issues caused by two different springs working in tandem (don't remember the details, sorry). One thing I love about the dual springs is, though, they usually save the motor even if one of the springs fail.

If I will ever go the route of cams, I think I will just follow one of the OEM applications. This kit gives me quite a bit of confidence since GM still sells it for all Camaros, and uses combinations of it in its warrantied crate engines, too. In the catalog, it is stated that this power upgrade kit provides 40 HP. If my LS3 will be about 500+ HP and will also be reliable, that would be excellent! No lopey engine for me : )

[Camaro Dude]

Yes, it is fair for me to say, that the selling point to use a dual spring in my particular application, was the fail safe backup plan of a second spring to save the day. PAC springs on the other hand, OEM too ; ), one KO, and it's really TKO, you_are_out, game over, finished, lol.

I read in depth about the harmonic issues, and the entire harmonic and frequency jazz...in fact, it may very well apply to the entire cam approach from A to Z.

Thankfully though, the OEM (GM), tests 24 endurance, so like you mentioned, you can't go wrong there. I think you should do it.

I guess for guys like me, we like to stretch it a hair more, a slightly more aggressive spec, and hoping that GM left a window, some wiggle room with those specs, in the name of more power.

[kquinn45]

Got my car tuned today: 415HP - 404tq. I can definitely tell a difference, especially in the upper rpms.

Tuner said it was running really rich before he adjusted anything.

He also said that with LT's I could probably add another 40+ HP, he had to pull the timing at about 5700 because of knocking which cut down on peak HP.