L99 to LS3 conversion

[mcdoogle6969]

It gets rid of what I think is the weakest link on the L99....The lifters. Definently worth it if you plan to mod the car. I'll be doing it with my cam swap, probably the smartest mod I'm doing.

[cmb74656]

Originally Posted by kuvo

So instead of getting a conversion like that, wouldnt it be cheaper to get a manual and change the transmission to an auto for those who want auto ? Instead of changing so many parts in the engine to convert from l99 to ls3, why not buy manual and change tranny ?
Dont bash, i'm just asking.

It would be simpler to swap out an actual LS3 engine form a salvage yard. Finding one is the hard part. Price would probably be about the same as converting a L99 once you factor in parts and labor.

It's a lot easier to swap engines than it is to put an auto tranny in a manual car, or vice versa.

[SS hp]

Originally Posted by 1BADLS3

Does it matter what Toyota does when GM can still kick its ass using traditional engine technology?

I can't remember the last time Toyota offered a ~430hp engine in a car that cost $30k. Put that in your Camry and smoke it.

And, btw, the L99 and LS3 don't share as many parts as you think. Similar, but not the same.

...Double the cylinders, half the number of valves, four times as fun, and a fraction of the cost of your beloved imports...

Ouch someone just got

[flyer08]

Originally Posted by mcdoogle6969

It gets rid of what I think is the weakest link on the L99....The lifters. Definently worth it if you plan to mod the car. I'll be doing it with my cam swap, probably the smartest mod I'm doing.

95% of the people sticking with vvt switch out the lifters. Very few vvt cams utilize the afm lifters.

[Dmpsix]

Originally Posted by flyer08

95% of the people sticking with vvt switch out the lifters. Very few vvt cams utilize the afm lifters.

Correct, they upgrade them to the LS7 lifters I believe.

But any shop that knows the L99's wont even touch the stock lifters.

[ClawSS]

HOLY CHIT. Why are people still equating VVT and the L99 to the lifters? Never ever do this. It promotes mis information and a bunch of stupid people running around thinking that they need to do an LS3 conversion just to get rid of the Active Fuel Management (AFM) or as others say Displacement on Demand (DoD).

VVT is NOT related to "weak lifters". If anything it is related to a "Strong" oil pump. It uses oil pressure to adjust CAM timing. Advance and retard to optimize engine output over the rpm range. It could be considered better than an LS3 due to this variable "tune on the fly" capability.

DoD / AFM is where the lifters are involved among other things. Change the lifters and kill AFM with a check box in the program. and for the love of all things horsepower, keep the VVT part of the L99. Tuning time is moot, yes more, but well worth it. It is more and more easy to find tuners who love the VVT capability. Forcing a cam to build in a +6 or +3 static advance just to hit a tiny range is ludicrous when you have the ability to adjust a 52 degree range stock or 20 degree with phaser limiter for big cams. Why in the heck do you want to dumb down an engine because of a dumb tuner?

Just please, please, stop the ignorance. We are a Camaro based board, we should know this.

[CreeperRS]

Originally Posted by cmb74656

It would be simpler to swap out an actual LS3 engine form a salvage yard. Finding one is the hard part. Price would probably be about the same as converting a L99 once you factor in parts and labor.

It's a lot easier to swap engines than it is to put an auto tranny in a manual car, or vice versa.

Or just buy an LS3 equipped Camaro in the first place!

[ron123]

Originally Posted by CreeperRS

Or just buy an LS3 equipped Camaro in the first place!

The big plus to that strategy is twice as much fun being able to work the clutch and ...
also the tremendous sound of the NPP Dual-Mode exhaust option is avaliable so will never want an XM radio subscription ... that exhaust option will pay for itself ;-)
Ron

[Davidd_SS]

If you have an L99 and plan to do a cam swap, my suggestion is keep vvt.
Now, all you'd need is a DOD delete kit, Not a vvt Delete kit.
Take a look at the fast list. vvt cams make great power entirely through the rpm range. *Some mild vvt cams are making far more power than mild ls3 cams*
A mild vvt cam with basic bolt ons (Lt headers, Cai and exhaust) are netting l99 anywhere from 440rwp-463rwhp on a stock converter throw in some e85 and you could net 480+Rwhp. e85 is great for timing which is what vvt thrives on. Also depends on who is doing the vvt tune not many tuners have perfected it yet. Talk to Ryan from GPi or look at the numbers his vvt cams are putting up.

[pir4te]

Definitely swap out the venerable smog cam, go mid 20s intake late 20s exhaust, keep cam authority over lift, decent beehives and mill the heads 0.035". No need to do anything else if you are running Delphi lifters.
I am 482 rwhp DD with AFM and VVT, forget basic LS3 gear that stuff is for rowboats (manuals).

[Johnny's_2SS]

Originally Posted by VALOR

What's VVT and DOD -- Sorry, I'm a novice on this stuff.

Displacement on demand

[pir4te]

Originally Posted by Johnny's_2SS

Displacement on demand

He might still be wondering but I think that poster has left the building, like six years ago.

[hammdo]

Wow, thread revival!

I kept VVT. I did put in LS7 lifters, removed the DOD/AFM LOMA (Lifter Oil Manifold Assembly) manifold. Saw no reason to remove VVT -- plus, I got to keep the L99 oil pump too!

-Don

[fstomp]

Honestly it’s not worth it just get long tube headers and an intake (I trust vararam and not many other brands) and if you’re really feeling up to it a tune...