05-04-2024, 11:17 AM | #1 |
Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: Dallas
Posts: 18
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LS3 engine swap
Anyone swap their L99 block for a LS3 block?
Looking at possibly doing a LS3 swap vs. a AFM/DOD delete and conversion with a stage 1 cam. Not really looking for crazy horsepower. Just thinking about using a new GM block, which go for about 6 grand and using my l99 intake and accessories. Would everything just bolt up to the block. Of course I know I need a new flex plate. Reason I am considering this, is doing a AFM/DOD delete would only be a few new parts, vs a complete new short block vs. my 50k miles on my L99. |
05-04-2024, 05:23 PM | #2 |
Drives: 2012 2SS/RS, 1968 SS Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Southeast, PA
Posts: 2,106
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Yep, had my L99 built and it blew up on the dyno.
Got a crate LS3, built that and had that installed instead of putting another L99 in there.
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LS3 Crate Engine Swap | CSP Custom Cam 232/240 .615/.615 113 +3 | Stainless Power LT Headers | Z28 Intake | Borla S-Type Exhaust | FTI Triple-Disc Billet 3200 Stall
2012 Camaro 2SS/RS | 1968 Camaro SS | 2020 Cadillac CT5 Premium Luxury | 2021 Spark LS |
05-04-2024, 07:53 PM | #3 |
Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Jan 2023
Location: Dallas
Posts: 18
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Want to remove those weak lifters. They are not natural, may be durable, maybe not. Mixed reviews. Trying to keep it as old school as possible.
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05-05-2024, 07:26 AM | #4 |
Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro l99 Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 2,191
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I think your l99 is still like new at 50k not unless you've never changed your oil or something like that. I would be a hell of a lot cheaper to build the l99 than to buy a new ls3. For $6000 you could pay someone to do your dod delete for you tuning and all. And if you do I would keep your vvt.
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DSS FX Forged Pistons, Eagle ESP L19 Forged Rods, ARP Head and Main Studs, TSP PRC 260 CNC Ported Heads milled .030, Cometic .040 Head Gaskets, GPI SS3 VVT Camshaft, GM Performance Racing Lifters, CHE Trunnions , Molly Pushrods, Melling 10355HV Oil Pump, Cold Air Inductions CAI, Fast LSXR Intake Manifold, Nick Williams 103 TB, TSP 1 7/8" Longtubes with 3" TSP Exhaust, ZL1 Fuel Pump, Mishimoto Radiator, Mishimoto Oil Cooler, Tru Cool 40k Tranny Cooler, 3600 Circle D Converter, Fluid Dynamics Balancer
Build Thread https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609817 |
05-05-2024, 09:55 PM | #5 | |
Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS AGM Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: WNY
Posts: 790
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Quote:
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2013 2SS GPI built & tuned 415, spec'd by Andrew Cammer. GPI ported intake/tb/heads, Tooley springs, CHE trunnions, Callies rotating assembly, Diamond pistons, GPI SS3 VVT, ATI 10% ud damper, Circle D 3800, Kooks ceramic coated lt's with green cats, Mishimoto rad & oil cooler, Derale trans cooler, Holley efi rails.
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05-06-2024, 07:47 AM | #6 |
GPI Sales Consultant
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OP - unless you're looking to go towards the max effort end of the spectrum (and your posts do not seem to indicate that) then deleting the AFM system and keeping the VVT system with a modest camshaft and quality lifters eliminates the weak point of the L99, while keeping it's stand-out feature. VVT is not failure prone, and provides a means to broaden the power curve and driveability that the LS3 does not offer. 50k miles is not high miles, and you're talking about a pretty major investment in an LS3 swap to "solve" a potential problem. You can spend less money and come away with a higher performing, more reliable result.
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GPI Max Package 2.0: Brodix BR7 heads/GPI porting, MAX3 cam, ST2116LSR, BSR Max Lift rockers, LS7 LSXR with 103mm TB, Vararam OTR, Mcleod RXT, G-Force/Strange 9" IRS setup with 4.63 gear. 551whp, 11.1@124mph.
Got a question about a GPI product? Feel free to shoot me a message! |
05-06-2024, 08:11 AM | #7 |
Drives: 2010 Camaro SS2,L99, LSA SC Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 2,281
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If you are going to buy an LS3 bottom end, get it, preserve it, and keep it until (if) the lifters fail. You aren't saving much of anything doing it before the lifters fail.
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05-07-2024, 04:51 PM | #8 |
Boosted Moderator
Drives: Bone Stock LS3 Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Marion Tx
Posts: 15,657
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Guys,
Thanks for the reports, and please, in the future, just report any thread crapping and name calling. I appreciate it. I edited one post and removed any that included quotes. Carry on...
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If the car feels like it is on rails, you are probably driving too slow. -Ross Bentley
Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall. Torque is how far you take the wall with you. “If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough.” Mario Andretti If you can turn, you ain't going fast enough... |
05-07-2024, 09:16 PM | #9 |
Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS AGM Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: WNY
Posts: 790
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Thank you SSE 4 2SS & Now back to the op. acammer nails these combos. I think the one thing to consider if you have the budget would be going a bit bigger with the cam & a higher stall tc especially with retaining the vvt. No matter what you do a great tune is a must no matter what you choose.
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2013 2SS GPI built & tuned 415, spec'd by Andrew Cammer. GPI ported intake/tb/heads, Tooley springs, CHE trunnions, Callies rotating assembly, Diamond pistons, GPI SS3 VVT, ATI 10% ud damper, Circle D 3800, Kooks ceramic coated lt's with green cats, Mishimoto rad & oil cooler, Derale trans cooler, Holley efi rails.
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05-08-2024, 07:46 AM | #10 |
GPI Sales Consultant
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Appreciate your work helping keep the site cleaned up. It's a fairly thankless job, and super important. Seriously - thank you.
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GPI Max Package 2.0: Brodix BR7 heads/GPI porting, MAX3 cam, ST2116LSR, BSR Max Lift rockers, LS7 LSXR with 103mm TB, Vararam OTR, Mcleod RXT, G-Force/Strange 9" IRS setup with 4.63 gear. 551whp, 11.1@124mph.
Got a question about a GPI product? Feel free to shoot me a message! |
05-17-2024, 11:30 PM | #11 | |
Drives: 2010 CGM 2SS/RS LS3 Swapped A6 Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Spring Hill, FL
Posts: 4,620
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Quote:
Bought a used LS3 with 20k-ish miles, had it refreshed with a light cylinder hone, heads resurfaced, and of course all new gaskets/seals, etc...has been great since. L99 has been on an engine stand in house for 4 years now. Eventually going to have a machine shop inspect the block to see if it's still useable.
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2010 CGM Camaro 2SS LS3 Swapped A6 - GPI LS3 SS1 .647/.638, (224/237, 112 +4, 7º overlap) on CamMotion 8620 core, BTR Platinum .660" Dual Spring kit w/titanium retainers, CHE bronze trunnion upgrade, stock heads milled @ .015, Melling HV 10296 oil pump, TSP 1-7/8" long tube headers (W/Catless Off-road Pipes), Corsa Xtreme 3" Catback, GPI Ported/Rod Mod Intake, Stage 2 Ported Throttle Body, Vararam OTR CAI, Mike Norris Gen 2 catch can + GM 1LE clean side separator, 160º thermostat - Megan Racing adjustable coilovers (lowered 1.75"), MRR M017 10/11" wheels-Tuned by Ryan @ GPI
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07-30-2024, 03:37 PM | #12 |
Drives: 2011 SS-RS Join Date: May 2011
Location: FLORIDA
Posts: 11,765
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Thank you sir!!! You are a rockstar!! Thanks for what you guys do to help keep our forums clean and running smoothly. We really appreciate it.
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