LS3 Conversion, Cam/Heads+misc project - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

LSX Camaro · 01-15-2013, 03:05 PM

I have been doing a lot of research on what cam would be best for my Camaro and finally have decided. There are a lot of choices based on personal preference and intended use. I had a custom cam spec done by Patrick G using my specific data. At first I was going to just do the entire job without removing the engine but since I am also changing the torque converter it is just easier to pull the engine and build it on a stand.

So now that the engine is out I have decided to clean a few things up, paint the block and reroute some wiring. This will something I will be working on over the next several months.

With the engine out, broken down and cleaned it is ready to be masked off for paint.

More pictures to come and a lot more details. For now she is put away in storage while the engine work is done.

Alvin@PCMofNC · 01-15-2013, 03:21 PM

Did you pull the engine to do the work? You can do it in the car fairly easily on those. Looks like a nice clean work area

The Blue Ox · 01-15-2013, 03:29 PM

Looking good!

I've been doing a little research on the conversion also! What all are you doing to the heads?

LSX Camaro · 01-15-2013, 03:55 PM

I am going to paint the engine block and accessory brackets so it was necessary to remove it. I also am replacing nearly every bolt on the engine with ARP 12pt stainless.

This is only about half of the bolts. It should look good with contrasting colors and the polished bolts.

I have the engine mounts ready. It has been so cold here my paint schedule is behind.

LSX Camaro · 01-15-2013, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Blue Ox

Looking good!

I've been doing a little research on the conversion also! What all are you doing to the heads?

I am still deciding on how far to go with the heads. Some Ferrea stainless valves with a 5 angle grind, now you are talking.

1Camaro2SS · 01-15-2013, 10:25 PM

Awesome work! Looks like you cleaned the pistons already. Great job! What else will you be doing to the engine? I will be watching this thread!

1Camaro2SS · 01-15-2013, 10:31 PM

Better cover up those lifter bores and valley before litle88 sees this.

VADER SS L99 · 01-16-2013, 12:38 AM

An extra 20-25RWHP from ported heads or 30-40rwhp from aftermarket heads is a pretty good deal while you have everything apart if you ask me. Cool project btw.

LSX Camaro · 01-16-2013, 08:21 PM

Today I did some work on the oil pan, front timing cover and center valley cover. With a little bit of effort these item can be made to look great.

I went with a Black texture finish on the oil pan for durability.

On the inside of the oil pan I removed the stock baffle and installed a upgraded piece from Improved Racing.

The stock oil pan gasket is riveted onto the pan. Since the pan was off I installed a new GM gasket.

The LS3 uses a different center valley cover that the L99. The PCV routing is also different between the two. I removed the factory fitting from the new LS3 cover and installed a AN fitting that I will later route to the oil catch can.

The conversion between a L99 and LS3 also requires changing the from timing cover and Camshaft Sensor Harness. Both are available from GM.

1Camaro2SS · 01-16-2013, 08:27 PM

Awesome photos! Lookin good and super clean! I'm with you on the pan gasket swap. Might as well do it to avoid any potential leaks.

LSX Camaro · 01-19-2013, 06:38 PM

Today I finished up the oil cooler details.

1Camaro2SS · 01-19-2013, 06:45 PM

Looks great! Just wondering, wouldn't all this be hard to show off once the engine is back in? It looks awesome on the engine stand though. Looks very sharp.

LSX Camaro · 01-19-2013, 06:49 PM

Yes most of what I am doing you wont be able to see when it's back in the car, but it will look good on the engine stand.

LSX Camaro · 01-20-2013, 07:13 PM

Engine block painting is done and oil pan installed.

01-15-2013, 03:05 PM	#1
LSX Camaro Master ASE, GM, LSX Tech. Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,034	LS3 Conversion, Cam/Heads+misc project I have been doing a lot of research on what cam would be best for my Camaro and finally have decided. There are a lot of choices based on personal preference and intended use. I had a custom cam spec done by Patrick G using my specific data. At first I was going to just do the entire job without removing the engine but since I am also changing the torque converter it is just easier to pull the engine and build it on a stand. So now that the engine is out I have decided to clean a few things up, paint the block and reroute some wiring. This will something I will be working on over the next several months. With the engine out, broken down and cleaned it is ready to be masked off for paint. More pictures to come and a lot more details. For now she is put away in storage while the engine work is done.

01-15-2013, 10:25 PM	#6
1Camaro2SS Drives: 2010 2SS/RS L99 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 1,430 View My Garage	Awesome work! Looks like you cleaned the pistons already. Great job! What else will you be doing to the engine? I will be watching this thread! __________________ 432 RWHP 391 RWTQ 12.37 1/4 mile on stock tires

01-15-2013, 10:31 PM	#7
1Camaro2SS Drives: 2010 2SS/RS L99 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 1,430 View My Garage	Better cover up those lifter bores and valley before litle88 sees this. __________________ 432 RWHP 391 RWTQ 12.37 1/4 mile on stock tires

01-16-2013, 12:38 AM	#8
VADER SS L99 Drives: 2013 A6 GT 5.0 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 2,909	An extra 20-25RWHP from ported heads or 30-40rwhp from aftermarket heads is a pretty good deal while you have everything apart if you ask me. Cool project btw. __________________ BLK/BLK 1SS/RS Ordered 11-01-2009 Took delivery 12-22-2009. Heads/cam/converter/bolt ons. SOLD Feb 2015 to fund 6th gen LT1 SS with 8L90E.

01-16-2013, 08:27 PM	#10
1Camaro2SS Drives: 2010 2SS/RS L99 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 1,430 View My Garage	Awesome photos! Lookin good and super clean! I'm with you on the pan gasket swap. Might as well do it to avoid any potential leaks. __________________ 432 RWHP 391 RWTQ 12.37 1/4 mile on stock tires

01-15-2013, 03:21 PM	#2
Alvin@PCMofNC Drives: 2010 IOM RSS Join Date: May 2009 Location: Mooresville Posts: 363	Did you pull the engine to do the work? You can do it in the car fairly easily on those. Looks like a nice clean work area

01-15-2013, 03:29 PM	#3
The Blue Ox Drives: 2010 SS L99 Inferno Orange Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Texas Coast Posts: 1,167	Looking good! I've been doing a little research on the conversion also! What all are you doing to the heads?

01-15-2013, 03:55 PM	#4
LSX Camaro Master ASE, GM, LSX Tech. Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,034	I am going to paint the engine block and accessory brackets so it was necessary to remove it. I also am replacing nearly every bolt on the engine with ARP 12pt stainless. This is only about half of the bolts. It should look good with contrasting colors and the polished bolts. I have the engine mounts ready. It has been so cold here my paint schedule is behind.

01-16-2013, 08:21 PM	#9
LSX Camaro Master ASE, GM, LSX Tech. Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,034	Today I did some work on the oil pan, front timing cover and center valley cover. With a little bit of effort these item can be made to look great. I went with a Black texture finish on the oil pan for durability. On the inside of the oil pan I removed the stock baffle and installed a upgraded piece from Improved Racing. The stock oil pan gasket is riveted onto the pan. Since the pan was off I installed a new GM gasket. The LS3 uses a different center valley cover that the L99. The PCV routing is also different between the two. I removed the factory fitting from the new LS3 cover and installed a AN fitting that I will later route to the oil catch can. The conversion between a L99 and LS3 also requires changing the from timing cover and Camshaft Sensor Harness. Both are available from GM.

01-19-2013, 06:38 PM	#11
LSX Camaro Master ASE, GM, LSX Tech. Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,034	Today I finished up the oil cooler details.

01-19-2013, 06:45 PM	#12
1Camaro2SS Drives: 2010 2SS/RS L99 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 1,430 View My Garage	Looks great! Just wondering, wouldn't all this be hard to show off once the engine is back in? It looks awesome on the engine stand though. Looks very sharp. __________________ 432 RWHP 391 RWTQ 12.37 1/4 mile on stock tires

01-19-2013, 06:49 PM	#13
LSX Camaro Master ASE, GM, LSX Tech. Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,034	Yes most of what I am doing you wont be able to see when it's back in the car, but it will look good on the engine stand.

01-20-2013, 07:13 PM	#14
LSX Camaro Master ASE, GM, LSX Tech. Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,034	Engine block painting is done and oil pan installed.