[Z06] LS3 swap underway......
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 64
From: Lakeville, MA
St. Jude Donor '10
LS3 swap underway......
I recently purchased a 2003 Z06 with 114K miles on the clock, lots of performance parts, but the LS6 was hurt. After much debate on what to do with the engine, I've decided to put a LS3 in it.
Here she is....
Here she is....
Popular Reply
Sep 5, 2016, 09:36 AM
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 64
From: Lakeville, MA
St. Jude Donor '10
Now that I'm done, I figured I would summarize everything that needs to be done swap the LS3 into a C5. -LS3 engine, LS3 intake, fuel rails & injectors (obviously) -Swap over your LS1/LS6 oil pan & pickup to LS3 engine -Relocate knock sensors to side of LS3 block (drill and tap M10x1.5 thread) -Knock sensor relocation/extension harness (I used Racetronix) -Change the LS3's 58x reluctor wheel to 24x or use the Lingenfelter converter box (what I did). If changing the reluctor wheel you will need a cam sensor extension harness. If using the Lingenfelter box, the harness is not needed. -Relocate the LS1/LS6 MAP sensor to front of LS3 intake. The hole on the LS3 intake is slightly larger so wrap some electrical table under the LS1 MAP sensor grommet to make it larger and fit snug in the hole. The LS3 sensor is bolted down, so make a small bracket to hold your LS1/LS6 sensor down tight. -LS2 throttle body (silver blade) & adapter harness ( I used Racetronix) -Injector adapters (I used Racetronix) to run the LS3 style injectors with your factory harness (what I did) or use LS1 style injectors by changing lower O-rings and using spacers to bolt fuel rail down -Passenger side engine bracket needs to be modified to clear the a threaded boss on the LS3 block -Run vent from passenger side valve cover to intake tube (after MAF). I used a 3/8"x1/4" NPT 90 elbow and 3/8" hose -Reflash factory ECM for LS3 injector tables, more cubic inches, etc.
-LS1 pilot bearing must be used
Aside from that, everything else should work just like your LS1/LS6. All accessories, exhaust, etc. will bolt right up to the LS3. But while you have the engine out it's a good time to replace things like engine mounts, clutch, slave, starter, etc. if you need to.
-LS1 pilot bearing must be used
Aside from that, everything else should work just like your LS1/LS6. All accessories, exhaust, etc. will bolt right up to the LS3. But while you have the engine out it's a good time to replace things like engine mounts, clutch, slave, starter, etc. if you need to.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 64
From: Lakeville, MA
St. Jude Donor '10
The build plan....
I found a new LS3 engine from a 2015 Camaro with only 48 miles on it! I will swap over whatever I need from the LS6.
-LS3 intake, rail, and LS3 injectors (new take off)
-LS2 throttle body (silver blade)
-Pat G 232/240 112+2 cam (Cam Motion)
-Katech C5R Timing chain
-LS7 Timing gear & damper
-Straub Technologies rocker trunion bushing kit
-BTR racing .660 spring kit w/ titanium retainers, pushrods, ARP cam bolts
-Monster LT1-S twin disc clutch kit w/ new slave
-Tick remote bleeder (already on car)
-Lingenfelter 58X-24X converter box
-Racetronix MAP harness extension
-Racetronix knock sensor conversion harness
-Racetronix LS1 to LS3 injector adapters
-ATI Balancer
-Kooks 1 3/4" headers & off road X-pipe (already on the car)
-GM header gaskets
-ARP header bolts
-GM plug wires
-Mike Norris catch can
-Any other miscellaneous parts needed as I go through the car
I found a new LS3 engine from a 2015 Camaro with only 48 miles on it! I will swap over whatever I need from the LS6.
-LS3 intake, rail, and LS3 injectors (new take off)
-LS2 throttle body (silver blade)
-Pat G 232/240 112+2 cam (Cam Motion)
-Katech C5R Timing chain
-LS7 Timing gear & damper
-Straub Technologies rocker trunion bushing kit
-BTR racing .660 spring kit w/ titanium retainers, pushrods, ARP cam bolts
-Monster LT1-S twin disc clutch kit w/ new slave
-Tick remote bleeder (already on car)
-Lingenfelter 58X-24X converter box
-Racetronix MAP harness extension
-Racetronix knock sensor conversion harness
-Racetronix LS1 to LS3 injector adapters
-ATI Balancer
-Kooks 1 3/4" headers & off road X-pipe (already on the car)
-GM header gaskets
-ARP header bolts
-GM plug wires
-Mike Norris catch can
-Any other miscellaneous parts needed as I go through the car
Last edited by turboffr; Aug 19, 2016 at 05:52 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 64
From: Lakeville, MA
St. Jude Donor '10
Engine is out! This wasn't as bad as I thought and I was able to do it by myself. The heads were already off the engine and I removed the radiator and fans.
-jacked the front of the car up and supported on jackstands,
-hooked an engine crane up to hold the engine (using lifter valley plate)
-removed top motor mount nuts
-removed 4 cradle nuts
-removed shock bolts at a-arm mount
-removed top a-arm bolts
-removed bellhousing bolts
-removed starter
-unplug all grounds and wiring
-disconnect front brake lines at caliper
then I lowered the cradle enough for balancer to clear steering rack and pulled engine off of torque tube. I left the hood on and came in from the drivers side at an angle to pull engine over fender.
-jacked the front of the car up and supported on jackstands,
-hooked an engine crane up to hold the engine (using lifter valley plate)
-removed top motor mount nuts
-removed 4 cradle nuts
-removed shock bolts at a-arm mount
-removed top a-arm bolts
-removed bellhousing bolts
-removed starter
-unplug all grounds and wiring
-disconnect front brake lines at caliper
then I lowered the cradle enough for balancer to clear steering rack and pulled engine off of torque tube. I left the hood on and came in from the drivers side at an angle to pull engine over fender.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 64
From: Lakeville, MA
St. Jude Donor '10
Here's a pile of parts I took off....
LS3 intake with fuel rail and 42lb injectors.....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 9,556
Likes: 288
From: Granbury Texas
I don't see an oil cooler, SO if you have not budgeted for an Oil cooler, then I would suggest that you do include one in your build. My understanding from dealing with several respected shops is that you MUST have an engine oil cooler, and that the LS3 factory oil cooler is insufficient even for a street driven car. That is, you must use a RACE type of dedicated engine oil cooler for any LS3 installation, whether or not the car will be tracked or only street driven. Best of luck and please let us know how it turns out
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 64
From: Lakeville, MA
St. Jude Donor '10
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Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 15,866
Likes: 196
From: PA
Sounds like a badass swap, congrats! What happened to the 15 Camaro, was it totaled at just 48 miles? Also, I've never seen those front side vent screen before, that looks nice. Anyone know where to get one?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 64
From: Lakeville, MA
St. Jude Donor '10
There's a company in Florida that makes "Trans ams" out of the new camaros. They pull the factory engines and put LSX 454's in them. Trans Am Worldwide is where I got it
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 15,866
Likes: 196
From: PA
Ok yes heard about the Transam conversions, that makes sense. Good luck with your project, keep us updated.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 90
Likes: 1
From: Mission Viejo CA
Do you trust the Lingenfelter 24x-58x reluctor wheel converter box?
That is my only holdup on going GMPP LS3... I daily drive my car and need a RELIABLE engine. I have heard not so great things about that reluctor converter...
That is my only holdup on going GMPP LS3... I daily drive my car and need a RELIABLE engine. I have heard not so great things about that reluctor converter...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 64
From: Lakeville, MA
St. Jude Donor '10
Feedback I received on here and LS1Tech seems to be good. I also spoke with a few different shops who have used it and all said it works as designed. Lingenfelter told me they sell about 500 a year and that the issue with the box was with the 1st design. The power supply was through the factory harness which caused overheating. They have since revised the box to have its own power supply to correct that issue. I guess I won't know for sure until I use it, but I'm hoping it will be reliable for me.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 64
From: Lakeville, MA
St. Jude Donor '10
Some more parts showed up today, but no progress on the car. Hope to have some time on Sunday to change over the valve springs and get the engine ready for the cam.
Monster LT1-S Clutch kit & slave. Very well packaged and includes flywheel & pressure plate bolts
Mike Norris catch can.
Monster LT1-S Clutch kit & slave. Very well packaged and includes flywheel & pressure plate bolts
Mike Norris catch can.
