L99 to LS3 conversion

[Supercharged SS]

Originally Posted by Comrando

Which are the crappy lifters? L99 or LS3?

The L99 lifters are the crappy ones!

[JANNETTYRACING]

Originally Posted by Inferno2SSRS

I like how this sounds, that it would be more cost effective to just change the lifters and the cam instead of the full LS3 conversion.

Either way you pull the heads and install LS3 Lifters buckets and valley cover.

The only decision is Do I Keep VVT or Not.

To remove VVT you need a Cam gear, bolts, and a Front Cover.

I am not trying to sway anyone either way, I only answer the questions that are asked.

Do I have my Preferences Yes, but ultimately it is still the customers choice.

Ted.

[2010 L99]

Perhaps the better decision is--Do I Keep VVT and spend $1600 for new cam setup or do I spend $4800 to remove VVT, new cam gear, bolts, front cover, new LS3 lifters, buckets, valley cover, and a new cam setup.

If the decision was as easy as VVT or NO VVT I would've had it done a month ago. My decision is whether NO VVT, and the associated peace of mind of getting rid of the potentially bad lifters, is worth $3200.

[Jon@Texas-Speed]

If you run VVT, you will get rid of the bad lifters anyway. You get rid of the bad lifters when you delete AFM. We have a kit to delete if for under $400.

Jon

[Darth_Emma]

I just had a cam installed and got the LS3 conversion. I saw no good reason to keep the VVT. I am very happy with the power and sound my car makes now. I also had a torque converter installed to help with driveability. A lot of people don't talk about the value of a torque converter when swapping cams in the automatics. I think it's a must.

[Jon@Texas-Speed]

Most of the time a converter is a must with a decent size cam. Without one and a healthy cam in the car, it will drive terrible. A converter is probably the best single mod for an automatic car when looking at ETs at the track as well.

Jon

[JANNETTYRACING]

Originally Posted by 2010 L99

Perhaps the better decision is--Do I Keep VVT and spend $1600 for new cam setup or do I spend $4800 to remove VVT, new cam gear, bolts, front cover, new LS3 lifters, buckets, valley cover, and a new cam setup.

If the decision was as easy as VVT or NO VVT I would've had it done a month ago. My decision is whether NO VVT, and the associated peace of mind of getting rid of the potentially bad lifters, is worth $3200.

As I said, the Price difference is only Parts, the front cover and timing gear doesn't cost 3200.00.

The Labor is the same either way, the heads have to come off to replace the lifters and buckets.

Ted.

[woodside783]

Originally Posted by Jason 98 TA

Some guys want to get rid of the VVT when the do the install. I will be adding VVT to my LS3 car.

My 2010 L99 automatic camaro makes over 490rwhp with the VVT in place & we didn't cut the pistons! Imagine the power potential if we cut valve reliefs!

are the heads stock or have u ported them?

[SSMOKINHOT]

Originally Posted by 2010 L99

I respect expert opinions but how are us average "Joes" supposed to separate the rice from the rat shit without spending hundreds or thousands needlessly? I realize you can't 80% of people to agree they even like ice cream but Christ, my head's going to explode.

[2010 L99]

Originally Posted by 2010 L99

Perhaps the better decision is--Do I Keep VVT and spend $1600 for new cam setup or do I spend $4800 to remove VVT, new cam gear, bolts, front cover, new LS3 lifters, buckets, valley cover, and a new cam setup.

If the decision was as easy as VVT or NO VVT I would've had it done a month ago. My decision is whether NO VVT, and the associated peace of mind of getting rid of the potentially bad lifters, is worth $3200.

Originally Posted by JANNETTYRACING

As I said, the Price difference is only Parts, the front cover and timing gear doesn't cost 3200.00.

The Labor is the same either way, the heads have to come off to replace the lifters and buckets.

Ted.

My sincere apologies. I incorrectly assumed when one shop charges $1600 for a new cam (parts & labor) on a LS3, and a different shop quotes $4800 for a L99 to LS3 conversion with new cam (parts and labor), there must be $3200 in more parts and labor involved. Again, my apologies for an incorrect assumption.

[JANNETTYRACING]

Originally Posted by TX_Shane

My L99 had flat tops.

Correct, L99 have Flat Top with Valve reliefs.

Ted.

[Markel]

Originally Posted by 2010 L99

My sincere apologies. I incorrectly assumed when one shop charges $1600 for a new cam (parts & labor) on a LS3, and a different shop quotes $4800 for a L99 to LS3 conversion with new cam (parts and labor), there must be $3200 in more parts and labor involved. Again, my apologies for an incorrect assumption.

I think you have to compare the price of a L99 to LS3 conversion to a AFM delete/LS3 lifter/VVT set-up. That is going to be an "apples to apples" comparison because both require head removal.

Assuming the difference is not significant, it will boil to to which shop you are going to have make the modification. Unless you are willing to make a trip to Mast Motorsports, or Texas Speed, it will probably end up being an L99 to LS3 conversion. it is simply what most performance shops currently offer.

[JANNETTYRACING]

Originally Posted by 2010 L99

My sincere apologies. I incorrectly assumed when one shop charges $1600 for a new cam (parts & labor) on a LS3, and a different shop quotes $4800 for a L99 to LS3 conversion with new cam (parts and labor), there must be $3200 in more parts and labor involved. Again, my apologies for an incorrect assumption.

No Sweat I just didn't want you to get the wrong impression

Labor for a cam package with trunion upgrade on an LS3 averages 10 hours

Labor for a Complete L99/LS3 cam conversion with trunion upgrade averages 22 hours.

Even 1600 is low for a cam swap must me less parts which in turn is less labor.

Ted.

[1FAST SS]

Originally Posted by JANNETTYRACING

No Sweat I just didn't want you to get the wrong impression

Labor for a cam package with trunion upgrade on an LS3 averages 10 hours

Labor for a Complete L99/LS3 cam conversion with trunion upgrade averages 22 hours.

Even 1600 is low for a cam swap must me less parts which in turn is less labor.

Ted.

Ted,

What is the average cost for labor and parts on both packages?